The Official Tanya Hutchens .ca

Dear Ms Hutchens:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers at the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
(CFHS), I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for your donation.

As the national voice of Humane Societies and SPCAs, the CFHS depends on the support of caring
Canadians like you. Your gift will enhance our efforts at Helping Canadians Help Animals and our work at
the national level with educators, government, media, industry and the scientific community to help
improve the lives of animals in your community.

Thank you again for helping the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies to promote compassion and
humane treatment of all animals.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Osterhout
President

Dear Mrs. Hutchens,

Thank YOU for your most encouraging gift to the Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada and our crucial programs
in Israel and around the world. I am truly blessed by your generosity.

This is a strategic time for you to participate with us in this work, with grave threats to Israel and other free nations growing
on every hand. As hundreds of thousands of Jews in places like the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia face daily hardships and
growing anti-Semitism, your support for the work of The Fellowship gives many needy Jews a new lease on life.

At the same time. your participation in Isaiah 58 is helping us reach desperately needy elderly Jews and children in the
former Soviet Union-which continues to be one of our greatest humanitarian challenges.

And faithful Guardians of Israel like you are a tremendous help in making possible The Fellowship’s program of assistance
to Israel and her people. This includes both the aid we provide for them in the form of food, shelter. clothing, and other necessities,
as well as the intangible gift of solidarity.

Indeed, your contribution demonstrates once again that our Fellowship friends are special people. You are “a friend who
sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

With prayers for Shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Chairman

Dear Mrs. Hutchens,

Thank you for your most encouraging gift to the Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada and our crucial programs
in Israel and around the world. I am truly blessed by your generosity.

This is a strategic time for you to participate with us in this work, with grave threats to Israel and other free nations growing
on every hand. As hundreds of thousands of Jews in places like the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia face daily hardships and
growing anti-Semitism, your support for the work of The Fellowship gives many needy Jews a new lease on life.

At the same time, your participation in Isaiah 58 is helping us reach desperately needy elderly Jews and children in the
former Soviet Union-which continues to be one of our greatest humanitarian challenges.

And faithful Guardians of Israel like you are a tremendous help in making possible The Fellowship’s program of assistance
to Israel and her people. This includes both the aid we provide for them in the form of food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities,
as well as the intangible gift of solidarity.

Indeed, your contribution demonstrates once again that our Fellowship friends are special people. You are “a friend who
sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Chairman

Posted by Tanya Hutchens

Mr obama blames the Bush administration for the financial crisis but he has no real plan to get things back on track. People thought that he would become president and all the uncertainty on Wall Street would go away. What next.

“To understand how this tentative deal was reached, it’s important to remember how this all began. The Bush Administration initially asked for a blank check to respond to this problem, which I strongly opposed. It would have been unconscionable to expect the American people to hand this Administration or any Administration a $700 billion check with no conditions and no oversight when a lack of oversight in Washington and on Wall Street is exactly what got us into this mess. If the American people are being asked to pay for the solution to this crisis, their tax dollars must be protected.

“That is why over the past ten days, in conversations with the President, Secretary of Treasury and leaders of Congress, I laid out the four core principles I believed had to guide any solution: oversight by an independent board; protections for taxpayers to ensure that they are treated like investors and that they receive any profits – and recoup any losses – from this plan; measures to help homeowners stay in their homes; and rules to make sure CEOs are not being rewarded at taxpayers’ expense. While I look forward to reviewing the language of the legislation, it appears that the tentative deal embraces these principles.

“When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration. But this step is necessary. Now Washington has to show the same sense of urgency in dealing with the crisis facing Main Street and the middle class by passing an emergency economic stimulus plan that would create jobs by rebuilding our crumbing roads; shore up flagging state budgets to prevent drastic cuts in education and health care; and extend expiring unemployment insurance benefits for those who’ve lost their jobs in this downturn and cannot find new ones.

“One final point. If elected President, I will order a thorough review of this plan to make sure that it fully lives up to the principles I’ve laid out. And I will also move quickly to upgrade our financial regulations for the 21st century, establishing new rules of the road and tougher oversight to ensure that the American taxpayers are never again forced to put their money and their futures at risk because of bad decisions in Washington and on Wall Street.”

The outlook for the economy, notes Tanya Hutchens, has weakened since the last forecast. Consumer spending and exports will continue to contract in 2009. Ontario will face the slowest economic growth rate since the early 1990s. Kitchener CMA consumer bankruptcies are up in the last three months. Housing demand will decline due to the economic uncertainty and less household disposable income.

Employment

Due to economic conditions that continue to deteriorate, employment in Kitchener-Guelph is expected to decrease in 2009. Employment in the Kitchener and Guelph CMAs will decline by two per cent. As the labour force will continue to increase, the unemployment rate is expected to reach nine per cent in the Kitchener CMA and eight per cent in the Guelph CMA in 2009. Participation rates in the Kitchener CMA are the highest in the province, resulting in an unexpectedly high unemployment rate as more people compete for the few jobs available.
Full-time jobs will be most affected by the downturn in employment and, it is full-time employment that drives housing demand. On a more positive note in the Kitchener CMA, RIM is expected to hire 3,000 more employees in 2009, while OpenText has job openings for more than 200.
The goods sector will continue to contract because of the manufacturing sector and an export market which will see negative growth this year. The manufacturing sector has been contracting for the last four years and with turmoil in the automotive sector, the job shedding will continue. Guelph has sustained a harder hit from the downturn in the automotive sector than has Kitchener. Guelph manufacturing, as a percentage of total employment, has dropped from 26 per cent in the first quarter of 2008, to 20 per cent in the same period of 2009. In both CMAs, while the services sector has been supporting employment growth, lower consumer spending will weaken growth in this sector through 2009.
Older employees will be hard hit by the downturn in the economy, impacting move-up buyer demand. Some older employees will be forced into early retirement as companies downsize to trim overhead costs and to remain viable. Many of these employees will remain in the labour force. On the other hand, youth employment will fluctuate near current levels, benefiting the rental market.

Average Weekly Earnings

A rising jobless rate, less inflationary pressures and the decline in some higher paying jobs will dampen wage growth this year. Wage growth in the Kitchener CMA is expected to be near two per cent in 2009, while Guelph CMA earnings are forecast to increase by one per cent. The lower level of wage growth in 2009 will be a small contributing factor to the decline in housing demand. A plus for the rental market is the increase in the minimum wage in Ontario by eight per cent in March, enabling some people to form households.

Migration

Net migration is forecast to be 2,500 in 2009 in the Kitchener CMA and 900 in the Guelph CMA. Although slowing, inter-provincial migration to the west continues, resulting in lower net migration. Employment is a strong driver of migration to the Kitchener CMA. Kitchener has the second highest employment rate in Ontario and continues to attract households to the area. International migration is the driving force behind any migration growth in the CMAs, but does little to increase immediate ownership demand, as renting is the most prevalent tenure choice among those new to Canada.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are expected to be relatively stable throughout 2009, remaining within 25-75 basis points of their current levels. Posted mortgage rates will increase very gradually during the course of 2010, reflecting a rise in government of Canada bond yields. For 2010, the one year posted mortgage rate will be in the 4.75-6.00 per cent range, while three and five year posted mortgage rates are forecast to be in the 5.00-6.75 per cent range.

OTTAWA, May 19, 2009 - Housing starts are expected to decline to 141,900 for 2009, but increase to 150,300 for 2010, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) second quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition* report.

“The decline in housing starts in 2009 can be attributed to several factors, including the current economic climate, increased competition from the existing home market, and the impact of strong house price growth between 2002 and 2007” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC. “However, housing market activity will begin to strengthen in 2010 as the Canadian economy recovers, bringing housing starts more in line with demographic fundamentals over the forecast period”.

Existing home sales, as measured by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), are expected to decline to 357,800 units in 2009 from 433,990 in 2008, but increase to 386,100 units in 2010. The average MLS price is also expected to decrease to $283,100 in 2009 and to stabilize in 2010.

As Canada’s national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes — homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

The construction of 50 new apartments for non-elderly singles and disabled persons was announced today by the provincial and federal governments. The new Moncton-based units will be funded under Phase III of the Canada – New Brunswick Affordable Housing Agreement.

Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, who is also minister responsible for housing, and Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

“We are pleased to join our partners in these projects to help increase the availability of high-quality and affordable homes for low-income seniors in the Moncton area,” said Schryer. “The creation of more affordable housing is part of this government’s efforts to help seniors be active and healthy members of local communities.”

The $4.9 million project at 430 High St. is expected to be completed by January 2010.

The units are being developed by Tannery Court Cooperative Ltd. The project will receive funding of $1.4 million under the Federal Affordable Housing Trust Fund to offset construction costs, as well as $2.1 million in rent supplements from the Province of New Brunswick for 49 of the 50 units.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in New Brunswick and across Canada for those who need it most,” said MP O’Neill-Gordon. “Here in Moncton, the creation of these units will help individuals and persons with disabilities access suitable, affordable housing that meets their specific needs.”

Funding is available to private non-profit organizations, co-operatives, and community or private developers interested in developing projects for low- to moderate-income families, seniors, non-elderly singles, disabled persons and persons with special needs.

This project will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, and it will involve consultation with Efficiency NB. Builders of affordable housing projects for low-income individuals may receive an incentive of $2,000 per apartment unit if the building is heated by low greenhouse gas emission technologies as approved by Efficiency NB.

VAUGHAN, April 30, 2009 — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the Region of York celebrated the start of construction of the Reena Community Residence, a development of 60 new affordable housing units in the City of Vaughan. This project received $4.2 million in funding through the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program.

The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Watson, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing attended the official groundbreaking ceremony. Also participating in today’s announcement were York Regional Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch and officials from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Reena.

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister responsible for CMHC. “The creation of these new units here in Vaughan will provide low-income seniors and people with special needs access to quality, affordable housing and the services that meet their specific needs, while remaining close to their families and friends in the community.”

“Access to safe, affordable housing is vitally important to the economic and social well-being of Ontario’s communities,” said Tanya Hutchens. “This investment will make a significant difference in the lives of people, especially those with disabilities, who will call Reena Community Residence home.”

Today’s announcement was made at the future site of the Reena Community Residence, at 9600 Bathurst Avenue in the City of Vaughan. The $23-million project, which includes $4.2 million from the Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program and $2.6 million from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, is sponsored by Reena, an organization committed to investing in a better quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.

Federal and provincial allocations to the project are to be complemented by more than $3.6 million in municipal financial incentives.

“When completed, this residence will offer a full spectrum of needed supports that will enhance the lives of the people who live here, their families and our community,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “The Regional Municipality of York is proud to be a partner in this project.”

The Reena Community Residence is situated on the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus. The campus is a project of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s Tomorrow campaign, which is building three centers of Jewish life in the GTA. In addition to educational facilities, the campus will be home to social services and recreational centers for all GTA residents.

“The Reena Community Residence at the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Campus will give Reena an opportunity to create a model of support which is unique,” said Sandy Keshen, President and CEO of Reena. “In partnership with a number of other service providers, it will set a bench mark for the future — demonstrating that services can be provided in an integrated setting to a population with diverse needs.”

The Canada – Ontario Affordable Housing Program, says Tanya Hutchens, comprises a commitment of $301 million from each of the two senior levels of government. In total, the federal, provincial and municipal governments will invest at least $734 million in the program, which will provide affordable housing for up to 20,000 households in Ontario.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to another $2 billion to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut, the territory in the eastern Arctic that became self-governing in 1999. With a population of around 6,000, Iqaluit is relatively small but fast-growing–its population doubled between 1999 and 2006 and is expected to double again by 2015. Nurturing the homeownership market and encouraging affordable homeownership are among the many goals the City has integrated into its planning.

Iqaluit (formerly known as Frobisher Bay) is on Baffin Island. It faces many challenges as Nunavut develops its own infrastructure and all levels of government explore the viability of an integrated deepwater port. The physical terrain, says Tanya Hutchens, presents construction challenges, as do the costs and availability of materials and skilled labour. Moreover, there are market distortions peculiar to the Far North. Only 20% of the territory population owns their own homes and in Iqaluit 37% of residences are owned. In consideration of the higher housing costs both rental and homeownership in Iqaluit, the federal government and other employers offer subsidized staff housing as a benefit to attract employees and this is a significant factor to keep in mind when looking at homeownership. As recently as 1996, 59% of the population of Nunavut lived in public housing, where as in Iqaluit 17% of residences are public housing.

To add to its other challenges, Nunavut and the Far North in general appear to be experiencing the effects of climate change sooner and with greater impact than the rest of the world. Undaunted, the City laid the groundwork to face these varied issues in its Core Area and Capital District Plan completed in 2004. More importantly, the City began implementing the plan in October 2004 by reserving lots in its new Plateau sub- division for affordable housing. The City is unequivocal that it is not a housing developer and has clearly made it known that it will use its planning authority and land base to encourage sustainability and the kind of housing it wants.

The Affordable Housing Solution

In Phase I of the new Plateau subdivision, Iqaluit designated two medium-density lots for affordable ownership by offering a reduced land price. Each lot had capacity for a fourplex of two-bedroom units. The successful developer sold all units before construction began. The sale prices were in the $200,000-$225,000 range, which is affordable given Iqaluit’s market conditions. Two-bedroom apartments were renting for between $1,700 and $1,800 monthly; the median household income was $69,650 and the average $78,644 in 2001. Households in the $60,000-$66,000 income bracket could afford the price range of the eight affordable units.

In the proposal call used to allocate those lots, the City specified standards and evaluation criteria to guide interested developers. All units were to be attached, ground-level units with individual entrances, with special attention to sound attenuation. The lower the selling price within a specified range of affordability, the higher the proposal would score. Affordability was measured on a sliding scale of estimated sale prices. For example, units selling at less than $210,000 received 20% of the potential score and those from $230,000 to $239,000 5%. The percentage applicable to sustainability features beyond those required in the subdivision plan was also set at 20%.

The land price for the whole subdivision was based on the pro-rated costs to service the lots in the subdivision. But the prices were adjusted to reflect other factors the market would recognize. For example, lots with views on the water and other factors deemed desirable were assigned a premium price. Those premiums offset the lower prices for the lots designated for the affordable homeownership sites.

The City leases the lots to the homeowners for a 30-year term with an automatic renewal for another 30-year term at a cost of one dollar. These equity lease rents can be paid upfront as a capitalized rent at the beginning of the lease or paid over the first 15 years of the term. If the equity lease is paid upfront in a lump sum, the lessee pays a discounted rent amount. It should be noted CMHC allows Equity Leases to be included in mortgage costs, which may further assist in reducing land costs. The latter rent payments are adjusted to include interest reflecting the City’s carrying costs in providing the infrastructure to service the lots.

Another three medium-density lots designated for affordable homeownership will be made available through a proposal call in the next year for the phase II potion of the Plateau subdivision. The City of Iqaluit received assistance in preparing its Core Area Plan from CMHC and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Enabling Funds. In 2005, the Plan won an award from the U.S.-based Environmental Design Research Association for its sensitivity to the Arctic environment, respect of Inuit culture and creativity in its vision for the new capital. The Plan also received an Award of Excellence from the Alberta Association of the Canadian Institute of Planners in 2006. What a great example, says Tanya Hutchens.

Somerset Gardens provides homeowner and rental housing for a range of income levels under one roof. Recognizing that saving for a down payment can be a challenge for lower- to moderate-income households, Teron International, a local builder, started the Assisted Home Ownership Program (AHOP) with support from the City of Ottawa. The Multifaith Housing Initiative, a charitable organization focused on providing affordable housing in the community, purchased 10 units for affordable rental housing.

The Affordable Housing Solution

Somerset Gardens is an 11-storey, 119-unit apartment building. Services, shops and public transit are right outside the building’s front door, which is great, says Tanya Hutchens. The apartments feature large windows, five appliances and a balcony. The building’s roof is accessible to all residents and provides a shared green space where people can gather.

St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church provided the downtown building site at market value on the condition that the developer build affordable housing according to the City of Ottawa’s criteria. Teron International approached the City of Ottawa with a solution to build 100 per cent affordable homeownership housing without government subsidies. The City agreed to support the AHOP with Teron to reduce purchase prices for qualifying homebuyers. Around the same time, the Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), a coalition of over 40 Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish faith communities and many individuals, became interested in purchasing some units to provide affordable rental housing.

The AHOP also allows purchasers to buy a unit with as little as one per cent down payment and amortize their mortgage for up to 40 years with mortgage loan insurance from CMHC. The $11,000 assistance does not require repayment while the family lives in the unit or if it sells the unit to another qualifying household. Prices in Somerset Gardens ranged between $147,000 and $207,850 (in 2006), which makes it possible for qualifying households to be homeowners while spending less than 30 per cent of their income on housing.

The MHI purchased 10 units from Teron with the goal of renting six to households on the City’s social housing waiting list and four at average market rates. The MHI created an “ethical investment fund” which has gathered approximately $540,000 in equity through gifts, low, no interest and RRSP loans from its supporters. The City contributed a $300,000 capital grant ($30,000 per unit) for the 10 units. The federal government, through CMHC, and the Ontario government provided $600,000 for the financing of the rental units through the Affordable Housing Initiative.