Another year has flown by as it is difficult to believe the Holiday Season is just around the corner. It seems we just closed the books on our Edmundston conference and we have begun planning for Fredericton in 2012. I am very excited about this conference as it will no doubt build on the momentum we have achieved in the past few years- we hope for an all time record attendance. This is our flagship venture each year and we want it to be what you want it to be so I sincerely encourage all member groups to send at least one or 2 delegates. There will be enough variety on the program to make it a worthwhile event for everyone.

In October, the Board of Directors had a very productive and informative visit with Karen Stone, Executive Director, BC Non-Profit Housing Association. Her Association was most generous as they sponsored her visit to New Brunswick to discuss the important work in the non-profit housing sector underway in both provinces. The driving philosophy is that the non-profit housing sector across Canada must work together in the years ahead as we are stronger and more sustainable as a group. Granted there are differences between BC and New Brunswick but in reality we share many of the same issues and characteristics, including, many member groups are small and are in rural areas, maintaining long term sustainability and affordability after agreements expire is an issue, regeneration of our volunteer base is always a concern, tenant populations are shifting and the stock is aging with growing repair needs. Thus there is much we can learn by sharing ideas and experiences.

There are some initiatives in BC which we are exploring to possibly pursue here so we will be developing these ideas with help from some of our members. We are looking at other options to generate revenues for the Association, strategies for our non-profit groups to be sustainable over time and new ideas for member services programs. We will advise when we have more detailed plans fleshed out. In addition to meeting with our Board, we arranged meetings for Karen with officials from Social Development, a small group of Association members and the Fredericton Affordable Housing Committee. She was impressed with the knowledge and expertise of the housing players here. Again, a huge thank you goes to BCNPHA for facilitating this exchange of ideas.

Also at the Board Meeting we acknowledged the 30 years of great work Housing Alternatives has accomplished in Saint John over a 30 year period. Executive Director, Kit Hickey, gave a presentation on the group’s work with a focus on its strategic moves to remain sustainable over the long term. Congratulations on a job well-done!

The recent signing of the Affordable Housing Agreement is welcomed however we understand the money attached to it is small thus we need to continue our efforts to lobby the federal and provincial governments to provide stable and long-term housing funding at levels in keeping with the great need for affordable housing. We must continue to promote the “housing first” concept. When a person in poverty is provided an affordable home then he (she) will become healthier, better educated and better employed. This is a very important message to decision–makers now when governments are looking for cost-saving measures. Investments in housing are fiscally sound as these expenditures can help lessen health and other social costs as the affordable housing response is much more cost-effective than other responses to serving those in need such as hospitals, institutions, shelters and prisons. Housing investments make good fiscal policy. Meet with your MP’s and MLA’s and send them this message.

In the last newsletter I said farewell to some of our long time partners at Social Development. I can report that our partnership with the department remains strong as we continue to enjoy a strong working relationship at both the Central and Regional Office levels. Deputy Minister Edith Doucet and her staff appreciate the value of the work of our members in 115 communities in the province and thus values our partnership. We are partners in every sense of the word. Having said that, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to speak up by contacting me or your regional Board member or Gary Glauser in the Executive Director’s Office.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish you and your families a very peaceful and relaxing holiday season and the very best for a most productive 2012.  I am looking forward to seeing you all in Fredericton next May.

Ron Steeves, President

Our 2012 annual conference will be held at the Delta Hotel in Fredericton May 10 -12, 2012. Our conference planning committee has begun planning and many great ideas have already been exchanged. We can assure all our members that the goal of the committee is to deliver the best conference ever!

The conference will open on Thursday, May 10 at 7:00pm with the Official Opening and reception. This year we will not be having the education courses on the Thursday as regional training workshops this fall are being pursued instead in 4 of our regions. Delegates will also have the option of participating in a tour of affordable housing projects on the Thursday afternoon so stay tuned for details. On the Friday we will have a Keynote Speaker and workshops, followed by our annual dinner, the Volunteer of the Year award and project recognitions. Hopefully we will have Minister Sue Stultz bringing greetings at the dinner. Saturday morning will open with your regional meetings followed by the Annual General Meeting.

Make plans NOW to attend two great days of learning and information exchange as you will return home better equipped to continue to play your VERY IMPORTANT role in affordable housing in your community!

You may be sure that our usual partners, Social Development, Canadian Housing & Renewal Association, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and local housing groups will play key roles in making our conference a success! We welcome the City of Fredericton as a major sponsor and participant.

Invitations will be sent out  late in January /early February 2012. You will be able to register online or by mail. Our web site will contain updates on the conference.

See you ALL in Fredericton on May 10!

On November 9, Sue Stultz, Social Development Minister and Keith Ashfield, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, signed the latest affordable housing agreement which will see $47 million in funding for all housing programs to help reduce the number of households in need in New Brunswick. It represents a 3 year commitment to provide funding for new affordable housing and renovations to 2014.

We are happy the agreement has finally been signed and we will work with Social Development officials to provide details on housing program appropriations which will include new construction and renovation options.

On November 28, 25 units of seniors housing were opened in Tracadie-Sheila. Habitation St. Joseph Inc. received $800,000 in federal economic stimulus funding as well as $1.6 million from the province to supply rent supplements on 20 of the units.

In conjunction with the signing of the Canada-New Brunswick Housing Agreement, the John Howard Society project, Flanders Court Residences in Moncton was officially opened. The 10 unit project serving low income singles and persons with disabilities, received assistance under the Affordable Rental Housing Program.

On November 18 Minister Stultz and Rodney Weston, MP for Saint John, announced $1.2 million in support under Canada’s Economic Action Plan for a 60 unit seniors project in Saint John. The project is part of an overall plan to revitalize the Crescent Valley area of the city. Half of the units will benefit from Rent Supplements from the province to be able to serve low income clients with the other 30 units at market rent levels.