Newmarket resident Yvonne Kelly has fought for years in different roles to address homelessness and housing issues.
The community advocate has worked with the Social Planning Council York Region and the Affordable Housing Coalition of York Region to make strides in advocacy work around housing, as well as being part of the launch of an action table to aid the Newmarket Heights neighbourhood.
“For a group that has no money to do what we do … we’ve engaged a lot of folks with lived experience who are now having a voice in talking about their experiences,” Kelly said. “We see that as a huge win and we’ve moved the dial.”
For her advocacy efforts, the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario has awarded Kelly its 2023 Community Champion award. The award is given annually to a person or organization that champions the causes of community legal clinics, standing up for the most marginalized and vulnerable.
Ben Hognestad of the Community Legal Clinic of York Region spearheaded Kelly’s nomination and said she is “a tireless advocate and a true inspiration.”
“Yvonne is a housing advocacy powerhouse,” Hognestad said during a speech at the ACLCO AGM.
He further referenced an event at the Newmarket Public Library last month, which brought together multiple organizations to discuss supporting those in encampments.
“We are optimistic that these collective efforts are having an impact on the landscape in York Region and creating an appetite to respond differently to the housing crisis and support our neighbours living in tents,” Hognestad said.
Kelly said she was surprised and honoured to receive the award and expressed that she shares it with all the people she works with within the housing coalition.
Concerning encampments, she said York Region does seem to be ahead compared to other jurisdictions in taking a positive social approach to them versus trying to tear them down.
“People have a right to be somewhere and to live with health and dignity that they feel works for them,” she said. “We just want to keep working with them to support that, but also ensure that people do have those protections because you can’t count on it everywhere.”
It is hard to evaluate the reach the group’s advocacy is having, Kelly said. But she added they will continue to advocate, educate and push for good policy and preserving affordable housing.
“This is a long game. You’re starting from scratch to affect change."
