Here is a sample of a newsletter. Please make edit suggestions or create your own newsletter to post on this forum! Submit these to your local community newsletter. Go to http://www.calgaryarea.com/, click on your community to out contact info to your local community newsletter.
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Calgary is experiencing a housing crisis that is costing taxpayers dearly for unnecessary social services, shelters, health care, crime etc. The market has not built an adequate supply of affordable houses for over a generation. Something needs to be done immediately to change this.

One percent of each level of government’s budget needs to be invested annually in diverse housing options. We need intelligent models that will ensure diverse and long term affordable housing options for all.

One such model is co-operative housing, which offers a home, not an investment. Co-ops are democratically run by those who live there. The full monthly housing charges rise only as the co-op’s costs increase, not at the whim of a greedy landlord. Co-ops encourage mixed incomes to live together to build strong communities.

Land trusts are another great model. In a land trust, residents do not own the land but lease it on a 99-year basis. Housing on the land is rented or owned by residents. Taking the high cost of land out of the picture allows housing to be more affordable into the future.

Combining both land trusts and co-op housing produces safe, stable, healthy, inclusive and affordable housing for everyone in the community. Ask your community association and politicians why more diverse housing options are not being built? Help create viable housing solutions today!

Written by Kent

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As you are no doubt aware, Calgary is experiencing a housing crisis that is costing taxpayers dearly for unnecessary social services, shelters, health care, crime etc., which says nothing about the human dignity costs associated with this unfortunate situation. The private marketplace has not built an adequate supply of affordable houses for over a generation.
There is a group in Calgary trying to bring an end to this state of affairs. It is a grass-roots organization made up of concerned citizens, students and social activists. The organization is called the "Calgary Housing Action Initiative" or "Chai" for short. I recently attended one of their meetings to learn more about the issue and see what if anything can be done about the housing crisis.
What "Chai" is advocating for is a commitment of 1% of each level of government’s budget needs to be invested annually in diverse housing options. These funds would be used to find and build diverse housing options for individuals and families. The organization believes that intelligent models exist that can ensure diverse and long term affordable housing options for all.
One such model is co-operative housing, which offers a home, not an investment. Co-ops are democratically run by those who live there. The full monthly housing charges rise only as the co-op’s costs increase, not at the whim of a greedy landlord. Co-ops encourage mixed incomes to live together to build strong communities.
Land trusts are another great model. In a land trust, residents do not own the land but lease it on a 99-year basis. Housing on the land is rented or owned by residents. Taking the high cost of land out of the picture allows housing to be more affordable into the future. Another interesting idea is the concept of "inclusionary zoning". Inclusionary zoning allows for diverse neighborhoods to grow naturally. Inclusionary zoning allows for all income groups to be part of each community. It neither ghettoizes the poor or gentrifies the rich. It allows communities to be shared, developed and cared for by all.
Combining both land trusts and co-op housing and inclusionary zoning produces safe, stable, healthy and affordable housing for everyone in the community. Ask your community association and politicians why more diverse housing options are not being built? Help create viable housing solutions today!