Housing

Hoarding – a human rights obstacle in housing

October 31st, 2023 by Hunter Stone

Hoarding is more complex than a simple housing issue. It is a recognized psychological disorder and therefore has human rights implications where it comes to accommodation and housing.

An example of hoarding. Credit: Donald Trung Quoc Don / Wikimedia Commons

Items piled as high as your eyes and the decay of takeout containers scattered throughout the unit; it’s a view we tune into for entertainment purposes on shows like “Hoarders: Buried Alive”. However, this type of unit condition is all too familiar for many housing providers across Ontario and the challenges which come from navigating it.

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ONPHA Convention

October 26th, 2023 by Hunter Stone

Iler Campbell is excited to be participating in ONPHA this year. Safia Lakhani will be presenting on key employment issues on Thursday, October 26th, and we’ll have our booth up at the tradeshow on Friday. Come say hi!

ONCA Compliance & Document Review

September 19th, 2023 by Iler Campbell LLP

The Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 S.C.2020,c.15  (ONCA) took effect on October 19, 2021. All provincially incorporated non‑share corporations, not including co-operatives or insurance companies under the Corporations Act (Ontario), have until October 18, 2024, to ensure their governing documents, including their letters patent  and bylaws, comply with ONCA. The requirement applies equally to non‑share corporations created by special acts of the Ontario legislature. Continue reading “ONCA Compliance & Document Review”

Gender and sexual health education: exemptions to what end?

July 11th, 2023 by Safia Lakhani

To realize the objectives enshrined in human rights legislation, our education system must promote tolerance and inclusion, which includes teaching all students the sexual health curriculum.

A teacher addresses students in a classroom setting. Credit: Kenny Eliason / Unsplash

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Is co-ownership the solution to the housing affordability crisis?

April 10th, 2023 by Ken Farrell

We can’t address the housing affordability crisis without talking about the failures of the wealth redistribution system.

Frame of a roof with a white sign that has ‘Housing Now’ painted in black. Credit: Cathy Crowe / Cathy Crowe

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Neighbourhood Land Trust and Circle Community LandTrust

February 15th, 2023 by Iler Campbell LLP

Iler Campbell LLP is proud to have supported the transfer of 756 units from Toronto Community Housing Corporation to the Neighbourhood Land Trust (NLT) and Circle Community LandTrust (CCLT). This large-scale transaction, which included corporate, real estate, municipal, and financing components, is part of the City of Toronto’s “Tenant’s First” program which is focused on improving access to services and housing for tenants.

NLT and CCLT are focused on ensuring they are successful in maintaining custody of these homes and ensuring perpetual affordability. Their work, however, has just started.

We continue to support NLT and CCLT as they embark on their ambitious repair programs supported by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The land trusts are leveraging their repair program plans to generate even more community benefits, including supporting local trades and social enterprises. Notably, NLT is committed to increasing employment and training opportunities for community members and those who experience barriers to employment in the construction industry. We also continue to assist the land trusts with the implementation of their social housing programs, tenancy matters, governance, and more.

Read more about the transaction, and those behind it, in this blog post by Heather Tremain, the Chair of the CCLT board of directors and CEO of Options for Homes.