NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo today tabled a Private Members Bill which recognizes that every person in Ontario has a right to adequate housing.

The Bill entitled Right to Housing Act, 2008 is supported by the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, St. Stephen’s House, The Wellesley Institute, and other housing stakeholders across the province.

“Housing is recognized by the United Nations as a fundamental human need. As many others agree, we should take housing seriously by making it a right for all Ontarians,” said DiNovo.

Average rents in Ontario have outpaced rents that most tenant households can afford. Eight of the ten least affordable municipalities in Canada are in Ontario and a growing number of renter households face eviction as the affordability gap continues to grow. Evictions in Ontario have reached record highs over the past three years.

“Despite growing concerns of homelessness across the province, the McGuinty Government’s record on housing is abysmal,” said DiNovo. “In 2003, this government promised to fund over 20,000 new units but they have failed to come up with the money to actually build them. Again, this year’s budget does not include money to build new affordable housing units.”

“All Ontarians should have a right to adequate housing and it should be budgeted accordingly,” said DiNovo. “Sadly, after years of broken promises and lack of financial commitment to build new units, the McGuinty Government continues to demonstrate that housing is only for those who can afford it and those who can’t will be left with no where to live.”