PUBLIC FORUM - Exploring Solutions for Affordable Housing

Exploring Solutions for Affordable Housing: Building Partnerships in the Jewish Community and Beyond

Several organizations within the Jewish community are co-sponsoring a public forum to raise and maintain awareness about the need for affordable housing. It is estimated that 14% of the Jewish community living in Greater Vancouver are in Core Need; in addition there are an estimated 1,500 people who suffer mental illness, developmental disabilities, or struggle with addictions and have been on housing waitlists for many years. This forum is a follow up to the highly successful Housing Forum held in 2006, which led to the creation of an 11- unit building to address the need for housing.

Several experts on this topic have been invited to speak and group discussions will be held after the presentations. At the end of the forum, a brief summary of the discussion groups will lead towards the creation of an action plan.
Keynote speakers:
• Gregory Henriquez, Architect
• Michael Geller, Architect, planner, real estate consultant, and property developer
• Karen O’Shannacery, Executive Director, Lookout Emergency Aid Society
• Jane Heyman, President, Performing Arts Lodge
• Allyson Muir, Manager, Mental Health and Addictions Housing, Vancouver Coastal Authority.

Topics to be discussed include: alternatives for affordable housing, potential partnerships, and housing for seniors and people living with disabilities.

When: Sunday, June 14, 2009 from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M.

Where: Temple Sholom Synagogue, 7190 Oak Street, Vancouver

Admission by donation

To register, please phone: 604-725-1190 or E-mail: [email protected]

Sponsor: Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, Jewish Family Service Agency, Jewish Women International - BC, Lower Mainland Network for Affordable Housing, Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific, Tikvah Housing Society and Yaffa Housing Society.