United Way Perth-Huron is working to bring about their long-term vision of addressing significant local housing and community service infrastructure needs by incubating a planned Community Renewal Company.
“This is a large project that will have a lasting impact on Perth-Huron,” said United Way Perth-Huron Executive Director Ryan Erb. “After more than a year collaborating with existing agencies, government and other stakeholders, and with support from the Pillar Nonprofit Network, we are pleased to take our first steps. We’re very excited to share our vision with the community and start working on building the Community Renewal Company so we can address issues such as access to affordable housing and social services across the region.”
The renewal company’s initial focus will be on developing and operating affordable rental supply, supportive housing options and innovation in social service access and delivery, including the creation of community hubs to address the challenges some face finding social services where they live. The aim is to have a positive impact on pressing needs such as housing shortages, social isolation and challenges facing vulnerable populations such as mental health, addiction and poverty. The company will also play a critical role in the community development ecosystem, working to support and build relationships between local non-profit service providers and their supporters and advocates within the public, private and philanthropic sectors.
“We want to fill a void in the development of high need projects in our communities,” added Erb. “Of course there are challenges involved in this kind of undertaking, but United Way, through Community Renewal Company, is willing to do the work because it reinforces our strong belief as an organization that everyone is worth investing in. Imagine communities where everyone lives in an affordable, adequate, reliable and safe home. Communities where everyone has access to the social services they need. That’s a big goal, but we feel there is an appetite locally for this kind of endeavour and we want to do everything possible to build a brighter future for our entire region.”
For more information on the Community Renewal Company, go HERE.