Housing Part of the Common Good

A new book by economist Mariana Mazzucato called The Common Good Economy argues, as ecologist Christopher Majka puts it, “if our civilization is to survive we need to make some fundamental changes, we need to put the health, happiness and welfare of our citizens at the centre of what our governments do; not the profitability of corporations.”  

Such fundamental change will only happen if all levels of government (and we the people are, in fact, government) find the courage to change our focus.  There is plenty of money, it just needs to be allocated to the common good.  Housing, food and clean water must come first.  Housing people is much more cost effective than caring for the unhoused. The federal government is finally stepping up to the plate through the Build Canada Homes fund, but more is needed.   

The County’s 2021 Community Safety and Well-Being Plan lists Housing and Homelessness as its top priority.  It notes, “secure housing is tied to the physical, mental and social health of the community, as well as the health of the workforce, the welfare of children and the ability of people to receive education and maintain employment.”  

 Meanwhile, the 2024 PEC Housing Plan notes the County needs 2700 more rentals, 1350 of them at Affordable rates: no more than 30 percent of a household’s before-tax income.

The link between housing and employment is clear. The stability of the workforce that supports our tourist industry is not guaranteed. The PEC Chamber of Commerce reports that 32 percent of 1,041 employers surveyed said that they do not have sufficient housing for staff.  

Using a portion of the MAT tax to support housing makes sense. The County Foundation also reports that the lack of attainable housing is a barrier to recruiting doctors and health-care workers. Where will new medical staff live when the new hospital opens?

Supporting affordable housing is an economic development investment.  The County’s projects on Disraeli Street in Picton and Niles Street in Wellington mean residents will be able to stay in our community, working and spending money here, perhaps selling a home they’ve outgrown to a young family. 

When workers cannot live here, businesses cannot grow here. When young families cannot live here, schools, services, and volunteer organizations are weakened. When seniors cannot downsize affordably, they are pushed into impossible choices. Where do you think the workers presently living in Trenton or Belleville are buying their groceries or going out for dinner? Not here. If we don’t support our Main Street, we will lose it — and then no one, not those buying the 1+ million dollar homes, nor those renting an affordable apartment, will want to move here. 

 How can you help?  Expertise and experience in governance, policy, fundraising. real-estate and finance is always needed. The Board of the PEC Affordable Housing Corporation is a hands-on board and your time, energy, creativity and enthusiasm are welcome, either as a member or as a contributor to one of our working groups. Get involved if you can!  

Penny Morris, Picton

A Revived Newspaper

 I am a part-timer who lives in Toronto but with incredible good fortune has a house in Glenora Estates, Prince Edward County.

When we first started spending time in the County, the Picton Gazette was second, and, regrettably, often third, in our view, of the three County newspapers.  The County Weekly News was a rag, but The Times was a much better paper.

Since you have acquired the Gazette, the calculus has changed dramatically.  It is now clearly the best of the three, and by a large and increasing margin. Part of that is your providing a balanced view against Rick Conroy’s braying, but much is due to good, investigative and thoughtful journalism.

So, thank you for resuscitating our oldest weekly, and turning it into an interesting read. I am certain that this is a labour of love, with both of you teaching and raising a family.  But I for one am pleased that you saved this institution.  

I wish you ongoing success.

J. David A. Jackson, Toronto and Glenora