The war against homelessness in Guelph has another ally.
Legacy Guelph, a local men's group, announced Monday that it is committed to generating 100 new homes in Guelph in the next two years.
Legacy, which has roughly 65 members, describes itself as "a group of volunteer men from across Guelph and the surrounding area who support the growth of strong communities. Through their regular meetings and trainings on leadership, relationships and more, the men of Legacy create a space for discovery, growth and service to the community. "
The group says it has committed to working with the Guelph-Wellington Housing and Homelessness Alliance and Built for Zero to make it happen.
More information can be found on the group's website.
Admittedly no experts on homelessness, group member Jon Duschinsky says the group will use its members various skills, talents, desire and energy to make a difference.
"We feel there's an opportunity to do something meaningful in the community," Duschinsky said. "We want to be the opposite of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) ... We want to be YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard)."
One of the focuses discussed at a launch event Monday at The Wooly pub was opening up more basement apartments that would be affordable housing. That means lobbying local government for regulatory changes to make it easier for people to create basement apartments and encouraging property owners to becoming part of the movement to help create more affordable housing.
"There are thousands of basement apartments in this city that could be homes for people if (a) the legislation was there, (b) people were aware of the opportunity (c) there was a team of people that could help them transform their space or give them access to the resources they need" and (d) get people committed to the social element of creating more affordable housing, Duschinsky said.
Mayor Cam Guthrie, MPP Mike Schreiner and MP Lloyd Longfield were all in attendance at Monday's launch.
Legacy member Court Desautels said the group will use its talents, skills and resources to help create more affordable housing in Guelph by working with the experts.
Dominica McPherson, coordinator of the Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination, said the Legacy commitment brings in a "valuable new pool of talent and skills" in the fight against homelessness.
"There is an affordable housing crisis in our community," McPherson said Monday. "The great thing is we know the solution — housing that meets people's needs."
She said increasing the basement apartment inventory would definitely be a huge help.
"We can hit a home run and Legacy has the bat," McPherson said.
Monday's event also saw roughly 100 pairs of boots and winter coats collected, to be distributed through the Guelph-Wellington Housing and Homelessness Alliance.
