NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE AND DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
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What do we do when only 32 per cent of Barrie’s resale property prices meet the definition of affordability? And when our rent is among the highest in Canada? What can we do in the next five years to make accessible, liveable housing available to everyone? These questions and more will be tacked at the first Housing Hack.
Hosted by the Barrie and District Association of Realtors, in partnership with the City of Barrie, the Housing Hack runs from Friday, Oct. 20 to Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 at Barrie’s City Hall.
The theme is Housing for Everyone, and participants will use their skills, expertise and collaborative efforts to propose an informed and forward‐thinking solution to improve the future of living in the Barrie area. Whether it's a web application, digital platform or a data‐driven insight, each solution will have the potential to shape policies, decisions and future actions in the housing market. This energizing weekend‐long hack-a-thon will see local innovators work on a team to create digital applications and strategic insights to improve the housing market in the community.
“We know that finding a way for everyone to access the housing ladder is a complex issue that needs to be addressed at a local level,” says Rob Alexander, BDAR president 2017. “We are in a unique position to be a leader in finding solutions for affordable housing. Realtors can lobby the government for better policy to ensure available and affordable housing, and we can support local initiatives and create our own industry solutions and strategies. The Housing Hack will be a great way to find out exactly what the issues are facing Barrie and area residents, and generate some home‐grown solutions.”
“Access to safe, affordable housing is a basic and fundamental need that affects almost every aspect of a community and its residents,” says Mayor Jeff Lehman. “Encouraging affordable housing is a key priority for the City of Barrie but we can’t do it alone. We need innovative, collaborative, community‐driven solutions to meaningfully address Barrie’s housing challenge, which is what this Housing Hack is all about. I look forward to seeing the solutions that are developed over the weekend and working with the community to put them into action.”
Community participants
Anyone can participate in the Housing Hack! All you need is a keen interest in local housing solutions and an engaged frame of mind. Register at www.housinghack.ca.
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