Contest calls on high school students to get creative and help raise awareness about affordable housing

Halton Region’s annual Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing contest is back for its fourth year, once again asking Halton high school students to show their creativity and raise awareness about the need for more affordable housing in the region. Students in grades nine through 12 are invited to develop a creative entry (such as video, design, song, or poetry, etc.) to capture how a lack of affordable housing can impact a family or individual. Full contest details and entry criteria can be found at www.halton.ca/beahero.

“Every year, the images and ideas used by students in their submissions really help to illustrate and bring life to the issue of affordable housing in a powerful way,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “I encourage Halton’s youth to participate in the contest and have a say about an issue that may affect them in the future. Affordable housing plays a vital role in building a healthy and sustainable community.”

This year’s contest is sponsored by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. Submissions for the contest are due by 4 p.m. on November 1, 2010. Students can visit www.halton.ca/beahero for contest details.

Cash prizes (Gold – $1000, Silver – $500, Bronze – four prizes of $100) will be awarded to those students whose entries best depict why Halton needs more affordable housing. Entries will be judged by an independent panel of judges consisting of representatives from the local community and past contest winners. Winners will be announced and all entries will be on display at the Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing awards ceremony on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gellert Community Centre in Georgetown, ON.

In 2009, the top prize was awarded to Katy Moes from King’s Christian Collegiate in Oakville for her original 40 by 40 inch acrylic painting on canvas depicting a homeless youth seeking shelter on an outdoor bench. A picture of the winning entry can be viewed at www.halton.ca/beahero.

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