Region’s National Housing Day event recognizes local “Housing Heroes”

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo hosted its annual National Housing Day event today at the Kitchener Public Library.

The event brought together community leaders who are working towards creating affordable housing and ending homelessness in Waterloo Region.  This included non-profit leaders, support workers, academics, advocates, landlords, and elected officials.

“National Housing Day is a time to highlight the importance of access to housing and recognize the work done by many community partners,” said Karen Redman, Regional Chair. “With the growing need for affordable housing in Waterloo Region, our ongoing work in partnership with the community and all levels of government is vital for our shared success.”

The theme for this year’s event was Housing Heroes. Ten National Housing Day awards were presented to community members for their contributions and continued work towards the vision of homes for all.  Three of the awards were presented by Immigration WR to landlords who are making extraordinary efforts to support newcomers in the community.

National Housing Day is recognized every year across Canada on November 22 to raise awareness of housing and homelessness challenges. The Region of Waterloo has been commemorating National Housing Day with local events since 2002.

National Housing Day Award Recipients

Winner of the Christine Wilson Whitehouse, Outstanding Housing Community Worker Award:

• Veronica Jimenez Munoz

Winner of the Colin Plant, Kindred Spirit Award:

• Marjorie Knight

Winner of the Lynn Macaulay, Exceptional Housing and Homelessness Community Educator Award:

• David Alton

Winner of the Sybil Frenette, Visionary Housing Creator Award:

• Stephanie Goertz

Winner of the Exceptional Rental Housing Community Leader Award:

• Angie-Lee Corture

Winner of the Outstanding Community and Affordable Housing Provider Award:

• Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis

Winner of the Extraordinary Landlord of the Year Award:

• Barbra Bitzner

Immigration Partnership Award Recipients

Winners of the Small Newcomer Landlord Award:

• Avisekh Ghosh & Satarupa Ghosh
• Onder Özsever

Winners of the Large Newcomer Landlord Award:

• Cory DeVilliers
• Karen Martin

Winner of the Not-For-Profit Newcomer Landlord Award:

• Union Co-operative Sustainable Development - Sean Campbell

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