BRACEBRIDGE — On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Matt Richter, Parry Sound-Muskoka Green Party of Ontario candidate, delivered over 500 postcards to Premier Kathleen Wynne and Housing Minister Peter Milczyn.

The postcards requested that the Ontario Government develops more sensible policies regarding affordable housing that will meet the needs of Parry Sound-Muskoka as well as across Canada.

"After knocking on doors along with volunteers across Parry Sound-Muskoka, it is apparent that the lack of affordable housing is a critical issue that impacts all of us,” said Richter.

Over 500 individuals have signed postcards to Wynne and Milczyn, asking to make sure each new housing or condo development includes 20 per cent of affordable units. The Green party is asking for increased support for affordable, social and co-operative housing across the province.

“It is important to note that the lack of affordable housing or affordable rental properties reaches beyond the Ministry of Housing." — Matt Richter.

“It is important to note that the lack of affordable housing or affordable rental properties reaches beyond the Ministry of Housing,” said Richter. “This is an issue that warrants a collaborative effort with the education, health and economic sectors of government.”

The Parry Sound-Muskoka Green Party of Ontario is extremely grateful for the volunteer work and for the progress it has made so far but stresses the importance of further change in order to generate lasting change.

“We must acknowledge the tremendous advocacy efforts in Parry Sound-Muskoka that our community partners, municipal politicians, and the private sector have already been doing,” said Richter. He noted that municipalities need to be allowed to offer incentives for developers to build affordable units without being on the hook to recover those costs from other reserves.

"We must remain proactive on this issue until we see responsible action from the Ontario government to deliver the resources and policies required,” said Richter.

By supporting tiny homes, secondary suites, lane way housing and other innovative approaches to housing, the province will be able to add more housing opportunities for people across Ontario, thus relieving some of the deficit.

If you would like to volunteer or be a part of the Parry Sound-Muskoka Green party regarding the affordable housing campaign, please contact Sophie Lovell, campaign manager for Matt Richter — sophielovell@gpo.ca.