Ihm news winter 2014 v58

Volume 58, Winter 2014

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40739009

ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Ontario's Affordable Housing Wait List Climbs to Record 165,000 Households

Inside President's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

IHM Certificate in Property Management & Course Completion . . . . . . . . .7

Divisional Court Issues a Strong Statement Against Sexual Harassment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Ontario’s Mandatory Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers and Supervisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Ontario’s Affordable Housing Wait List Climbs to Record 165,000 Households . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

IHM 2015 Educational Conference - Program at a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Member Profile: My Journey into Property Management . . . . 6

IHM 2015 Educational Conference - Sponsorship Opportunities . . . . . . . .11 Welcome to Our New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e

Greetings IHM Members, IHM benefits from our many hundreds of members.

Let me clarify that, IHM depends on and benefits from our many hundreds of members.

It is primarily the members of IHM that deliver our education program, and we all depend on each other to maintain our membership and by doing so maintain our professional accreditation.

The board is comprised of IHM members who volunteer their time to support your Institute of Housing Management. Board members are not compensated for their time, like all IHM members they are proud of, and hold a deep bond with IHM. The Board holds two in-person meetings each year, one each spring in conjunction with the Annual Educational Conference, and the second every fall. We just met a few months ago and our meeting included a very interesting conversation about IHM approaching our 40th anniversary and the IHM “brand”.

I invite you to be part of the conversation about IHM, both the IHM brand and what IHM means to you. To be clear, I’m talking about the IHM brand not as a logo used on our website or letterhead, but the reputation, purpose, and values that you might think about and associate with the IHM brand. To paraphrase one output from the guided discussions at the recent Board meeting, how does this potential vision statement sound to you: “IHM, optimizing residential property management - helping landlords help tenants live better lives”?

I’m calling on all IHM members, accredited or candidate, to be part of this conversation as we look forward to our 40th year in 2016. Send your thoughts through email to either me, to IHM staff, or to a board member of your choice, answering the following two questions: • What does IHM stand for to you?

• In less than fifteen words, what do you see IHM’s purpose; or vision statement to be? (i.e. see the eleven word statement above) The Institute of Housing Management benefits and depends on our many hundreds of members, as we look forward to our milestone year in 2016 I hope you will participate in the conversation. If you can, plan to attend the next IHM Annual Educational Conference in Windsor (April 15-17, 2015) and let’s have a conversation in person!

My very best wishes to all of you, stay warm and safe this winter.

Kevin O’Hara, MPA, FIHM, CMM III IHM President

2

IHM News • Winter 2014

Legal Corner

Divisional Court Issues a Strong Statement Against Sexual Harassment

By Brian Gottheil Lawyer & HR Advisor Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP

ing harassment to the victims, where it does not belong. Quite frankly it would be bizarre if the correct answer to sexual harassment is to threaten someone with a fist.

I

n a case involving the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada v. CEP, an arbitrator found that an employee had engaged in inappropriate workplace behaviour on numerous occasions dating back nearly five years. He seemed to believe that blowing kisses to female employees, doing a “sexy dance,” and speaking and gesturing in a sexually suggestive way were acceptable conduct in the workplace (which may have contributed to the arbitrator describing him as “deluded”).

A final incident, which prompted his colleague to come forward, involved the employee trying to kiss the victim and, after she pushed him away, grabbing her buttocks. Not surprisingly, the arbitrator accepted that the employee’s behaviour amounted to sexual harassment and that the final incident was a sexual assault.

What was surprising is that the arbitrator found that the employee’s misconduct, while deserving serious discipline, merited only a suspension rather than a termination. This decision was based largely on the arbitrator’s finding that another female co-worker, who was also sexually harassed by the same employee, was able to get him to stop by “showing her fist,” and that the complainant herself said she did not want him to be terminated.

Understandably, the employer applied

IHM News • Winter 2014

The court also noted that the victim’s indication that she did not want her harasser terminated should have been irrelevant. The court concluded that in the absence of evidence that the “deluded” employee understood the gravity of his misconduct or that he would, or could, improve his behaviour in the future – he simply could not be reinstated.

for judicial review; just as understandably, it succeeded. The Divisional Court restored the employee’s termination, and criticized the arbitrator’s approach as a “dangerous step backwards” in addressing sexual misconduct in the workplace.

The court stressed that employers have a legal responsibility to provide a workplace that is free from sexual harassment. This means that employers must take appropriate action against employees who commit such misconduct in order to prevent it from recurring. To reduce a harasser’s culpability because one of his victims was able to make him stop would shift the burden of prevent-

This decision, which overturned what could be argued to be a “deluded” arbitration decision, recognizes the gravity of harassment and will no doubt prove helpful in determining what disciplinary sanctions are appropriate.

With that in mind, the following are some useful tips to consider when addressing harassment: • Ensure that your harassment policies are regularly distributed and discussed • Outline the sanctions for a finding of harassment and stress the seriousness of it • Promote a work environment in which employees will feel comfortable coming forward; and • Avoid hiring “deluded” employees. ■

3

Feature

Ontario’s Affordable Housing Wait List Climbs to Record 165,000 Households

By: Laurie Monsebraaten, Social Justice Reporter, Toronto Star Published on Tuesday, September 09, 2014

T

he number of Ontario households waiting for affordable housing has jumped again — just as Queen’s Park ponders a new provincial pledge to end homelessness.

Wait lists grew by more than 6,600 households last year to a record 165,069, the largest single-year increase since 2010, according to a new report being released Tuesday.

The average wait for a rent-geared-toincome unit in Ontario is almost four years, says the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association in its annual report.

But in some communities, households can wait almost 10 years before being offered an affordable home.

Residents in Peel, York and Toronto face the longest waits, averaging more than eight, seven and six years respectively, according to the association, which has been collecting wait list data for 10 years.

“These numbers show that the affordable housing crunch is not going to be solved by the current approach,” said the association’s executive director Sharad Kerur.

Kerur welcomed last week’s provincial promise to make

4

ending homelessness part of its new anti-poverty plan.

But like other observers, Kerur wondered how the government could achieve the ambitious goal without a strategy, a deadline or money to fund it.

Queen’s Park has matched Ottawa’s $801 million five-year investment in affordable housing. However, the association estimates Ontario needs $1.3 billion a year over the next 10 years to meet the need.

“We need a multi-pronged approach that includes rent supplements, housing allowances, new housing stock and repairs to existing buildings,” Kerur said.

“And we need a much more significant financial commitment from Ottawa.”

Demand for affordable housing has been on a steady rise since 2006, according to the association, which represents more than 163,000 non-profit housing units in more than 220 Ontario communities.

Kerur attributes last year’s 4.2 per cent increase in wait lists to the growth of part-time, unstable jobs and rents in the private market that are rising faster than incomes.

“The problem is that existing tenants aren’t leaving,” he said. “The government isn’t building any more rentgeared-to-income housing. So if tenants don’t move out, waiting lists grow.”

For every household that moves into affordable housing, two applications are cancelled and three new households join the queue, the report notes.

Toronto’s Amanda Murtagh, 30, has been waiting for almost five years and has been told it may be another two to five years before she is offered an affordable apartment close to her extended family in the city’s west end.

The single woman, who has been unable to work due to severe health

IHM News • Winter 2014

problems and depression, spends more than half of her $1,250 monthly Ontario Disability Support Program benefits on rent for a bachelor apartment on Lake Shore Blvd. W. And yet, she feels lucky.

“I was homeless for three months this year, so I’m grateful I have this place,” said Murtagh who is among more than 77,000 households on Toronto’s waiting list. “It’s just so hard to find anything affordable.”

More than 624,000 Ontario households were in “core housing need” in 2010, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s latest available data. Households that spend more than 30 per cent of their pre-tax income on rent are generally considered to be in core housing need. ■

IHM News • Winter 2014

Amanda Murtagh, who has been on Toronto’s affordable housing waiting list for almost five years, says she is currently paying more than half of her income on rent in an Etobicoke lakeshore bachelor apartment.

5

Member Profile

My Journey into Property Management

By Francesca Filice, B.A., IHM(C) , IHM Candidate Director Property Manager, Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc.

M

y entry into the property management field was unintentional and unforeseen. During my beginning years of study at post-secondary level with Sheridan College, I focused my studies in Police Foundations and then later studied at Brock University majoring in the study of Sociology. While studying, I worked various part-time employment positions in a variety of different field work. These fields included labour positions in warehouses, a store Cashier, a Cleaner and a hotel front desk Clerk.

At the time of graduation from Brock University, I was unemployed despite my persistent and active job searching.

To keep myself busy throughout the day and build on my existing resume, specifically in the area of customer service, I obtained a volunteer position with the City of Hamilton housing sector as a receptionist at First Place.

This building is located in the heart of Hamilton and offers affordable senior units. First Place Hamilton is comprised of 535 independent living units and 75 retirement living suites. I volunteered for approximately two weeks and was then offered an employment position as Receptionist with CityHousing Hamilton for First Place Hamilton. Volunteering my time had rewarded me with employment.

It was during my employment with CityHousing Hamilton that I developed a passion for providing affordable and safe housing for individuals within our community. With this new found passion I decided to enroll in courses with the Institute of Housing Management to

6

study property management and all that it entails. From employment with CityHousing Hamilton I moved to Stoney Creek Community Housing Inc., where I was hired as an Administrative Assistant for a short time and then onward to Hamilton East Kiwanis NonProfit Homes Inc., where I have been employed since 2010.

Kiwanis Homes is landlord to over 900 units and also offers an external management company who manages contracts for providers such as Ancaster Village Non-Profit Homes Inc., and McGivney Community Homes Inc. Kiwanis Homes hired me as a receptionist but shortly after provided me with the opportunity to shadow and provide assistance to the Property Managers one day a week, while I continued my studies part time in the evenings and on weekends with the Institute of Housing Management.

While studying with IHM, I also enrolled into courses offered by ONPHA such as the RGI Administration course and the RTA course and obtained certification. In 2012, I successfully completed the IHM Property Management program and was awarded a Certificate in Property Management. My success in obtaining a Property Management certificate through the Institute of Housing Management offered me the tools, skill-set and knowledge to pursue a Property Manager position.

During my employment with Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc., I was offered a Property Manager position and comfortably settled into this position

managing an external management contract and portfolio consisting of townhouse units and single detached homes.

Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes provided me with a portfolio to manage and had invested their faith in my studies and workmanship. I will be forever grateful to Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes for providing me the opportunity to gain experience and excel in the housing field but more so for opening a door for me and welcoming me into this amazing corporation with knowledgeable and family-like staff.

While working in the role of a Property Manager I have learned that networking and attending workshops, conferences, and trade shows offer many support systems and learning opportunities that can aid in an individual’s growth and development as a Property Manager. My advice to any individuals who are seeking a career in property management is to continuously study and upgrade their education and knowledge.

Ensure you become involved with professional associations such as IHM who can offer you current knowledge about the housing sector and membership options. Ensure that you are continuously referencing the IHM website for employment and career opportunities.

Becoming an IHM member is credible by many employers and more than often a sought out requirement for employment by many providers and corporations. Individuals who have facebook and linkedin accounts can view and actively participate on these pages connecting and networking with individuals in the field.

IHM News • Winter 2014

I feel as though my start as a Receptionist assisted me in my role as a Property Manager today. My advice to many is not to dismiss any volunteer opportunities or beginner and/or entry level employment positions as this offers experience and a substantial amount of strengthening to your skills, career growth and advancement. The notion of ‘getting your foot in the door’ just may prove to be excellent advice.

Property Management is a challenging career that requires many skills including but not limited to leadership and patience. With the many challenges that are presented within the field of housing there come more rewarding moments knowing that you have made a difference in an individuals life by providing them a safe home. ■

IHM News • Winter 2014

Holiday Greetings!

We wish all of our readers a wonderful Holiday Season and a Healthy and Successful 2015!

Kindly note that the IHM office will be closed from 2:00 pm on December 24th and will re-open on Monday, January 5th, 2015 at 9:00 am.

7

Feature

Ontario’s Mandatory Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers and Supervisors

By Carola Mittag Ontario became the first province in Canada to introduce mandatory occupational health and safety training for workers and supervisors. This mandatory training is fundamental to curbing not only workplace incidents, but occupational illnesses that develop over time.

The regulation was announced late 2013 and came into force July 1, 2014.

All workers at workplaces that fall under the Occupational Health and Safety Act should be trained before they start at a new job, or be trained at their current job.

These programs are free, and are one way that employers, supervisors and workers can complete the training.

Training modules are available online or for download, and hard copies of the workbooks and employer guides can be ordered from ServiceOntario.

It’s an important step in helping to ensure that all workers, in all workplaces, know their rights and responsibilities on the job.

Exemptions Workers and supervisors who previously completed a worker or supervisor training program, either with their current or a former employer, do not have to take the training again if they can provide proof that they completed the training and their current employer is able to verify that the training program covered the content required by the regulation.

A supervisor who has completed a basic occupational health and safety awareness training program for supervisors, prior to the regulation coming into force, does not have to complete a worker training program in addition to the supervisor program.

Carola Mittag is CEO of Workplace Safety Group, experts in Carola Mittag is CEO of Workplace Safety Group, experts in workplace health and safety. Workplace Safety Group has designed training programs specifically for the housing sector.

Email: carola@workplacesafetygroup.com ■

The MOL allows for workers to take their proof of training with them from workplace to workplace, so they don’t have to repeat what they’ve already done.

To help new Ontarians, these materials are available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, and traditional and simplified Chinese. The ultimate goal is to ensure that more than six million Ontarians – supervisors and workers – get fundamental training on the occupational health and safety laws in Ontario.

8

IHM News • Winter 2014

Save these dates…

April 15-17, 2015

5-DAY I N-CLASS COURSE

Holiday Inn & Suites Ambassador Bridge Windsor, Ontario

Building Maintenance for Property Managers

“Power of Partnerships”

IHM is pleased to announce that the Building Maintenance for Property Managers Course (one of the four core courses within the Institute’s Certificate In Property Management program) will be offered in a 5-day in-class format. IHM students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for an in-class learning environment outside of a community college. The course will be offered in a rigorous five day format during the IHM’s conference. This class will begin on Monday, April 13th to Friday, April 17th, 2015. It will be held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Ambassador Bridge, Windsor, Ontario.

2015 Annual Educational Conference

Please save the date and check on our website for current updates and registration.

The IHM Annual Educational Conference – Bringing Knowledge to the Property Management Profession.

2014-2015 Board of Directors DIRECTORS

www.ihm-canada.com EXECUTIVE President Kevin O'Hara, MPA, FIHM, CMM III Supervisor, Area Operations Waterloo Region Housing 235 King Street East, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON Canada N2G 4N5 Tel: 519-575-4800 Ext. 1218 Fax: 519-893-8447 Email: kohara@regionofwaterloo.ca Vice President Jim Mellor, AIHM Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation 15 Talbot Street North Essex, ON N8M 1A5 Tel: 519-776-4631 Fax: 519-776-5510 Email: jmellor@wechc.com

IHM OFFICE:

Conference Committee Member Lynn Alexander, AIHM Region of Durham Housing Services P.O.Box 623 Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Tel: 905-666-6222 Fax: 905-666-6225 Email: Lynn.alexander@durham.ca

Past President/Education Committee Member Deborah Filice, B.A., R.S.S.W., FIHM, Marketing/Membership Co-Chair CMM III Kris Boyce, AIHM Director/Housing Services Greenwin Inc. Public Health, Safety & Social Services 19 Lesmill Road 220 Colborne Street (Office) Toronto, Ontario, M3B 2T3 P. O. Box 845, Tel: 416-322-4006 Brantford, ON N3T 5R7 Fax: 416-544-4895 Tel: 519-759-3330, Ext. 6241 E-mail: kboyce@greenwin.ca Fax: 519-759-5796 Email: DeborahFilice@brantford.ca Education Committee Member Ed Cipriani, AIHM, MAATO Treasurer Region of Halton Harry Popiluk, FIHM (R) 1151 Bronto Road 5092 Hartwood Avenue Stoney Creek, ON Beamsville, ON L0R 1B5 Tel: 905-825-6000 Ext. 7355 Tel: 289-929-9543 Fax: 905-825-8274 Email: hpopiluk@gmail.com Email: ecpm@skyline.net

Carolyne Vigon, Operations Manager Laura Fairley, Education Coordinator

IHM News • Winter 2014

Education Chair Phil Eram, B.Sc., AIHM Precision Property Management Inc. 22 Goodmark Place, Suite 22 Toronto, ON M9W 6R2 Tel: 416-675-2223 Fax: 416-675-0170 Email: pgsd@cogeco.ca

Conference Committee Member Deborah Parker, AIHM Girl Guides of Canada 50 Merton Street Toronto, ON M4S 1A3 Tel: 416-487-5281 Ext. 209 Fax: 416-487-5570 Email: parkerd@girlguides.ca

Marketing/Membership Co-Chair Mitchell Grange, AIHM Town Homes Kingston 37 Cassidy Street, Suite 222 Kingston, ON K7K 7B3 Tel: 613-542-0443 Fax: 613-542-6305 Email: mgrange@thk.ca

CANDIDATE REPS Communications Co-Chair Francesca Filice, B.A., IHM(C) Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. 281 Queenston Road Hamilton, ON L8K 1G9 Tel: 905-545-4654 Ext. 233 Fax: 905-545-4884 Email: Francesca.Filice@Kiwanishomes.ca

Communications Co-Chair Kathy Harris, AIHM, CMIII Project Manager Facilities Design & Development Asset Management Regional Municipality of Halton 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, ON L6M 3L1 Ph: 905-825-6000 Ext. 7507 Fax: 905-825-3879

Education Committee Member Lana Nwaokoro Community First Developments Inc. 2171 Avenue Rd., Suite 303 Toronto, Ontario M5M 4B4 Tel: 905-507-8939 Email: swetlana.nwaokoro@hotmail.com

2800 14th Avenue, Suite 210, Markham, Ontario L3R 0E4 Tel: (416) 493-7382 / 1-866-212-4377 • Fax: (416) 491-1670 • Email: ihm@associationconcepts.ca

9

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE Wednesday, April 15th Pre-Conference Workshop (optional) Presentation: Visioning/Coaching - Future Planning

Opening Luncheon CONCURRENT EDUCATION TRACKS

BUILDING MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION TRACK

BUILDING MAINTENANCE TRACK

• Community Partnerships

• Asset Planning

• Financial Administration

• Building Condition Audits

• Myers Briggs

• Training Maintenance Staff

Meet & Greet! - Refreshments & Optional Casino (dinner on own)

Thursday, April 16th Trade Show & Awards Luncheon CONCURRENT EDUCATION TRACKS

BUILDING MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION TRACK

BUILDING MAINTENANCE TRACK

• Hiring Practices/Interviewing

• Hoarding

• HSC: Tenant Insurance Myers Briggs

• Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)

• Credit Auditors: Financial Fitness

• Fire Safety/Fire Plans

Annual General Meeting Annual Dinner, Entertainment & Dancing

Friday, April 17th Breakfast & Keynote Speaker

10

IHM News • Winter 2014

Sponsorship & Tradeshow Opportunities Please indicate your level of sponsorship:

❍ Premier Sponsor .................... $6,500 +HST

❍ Gold Sponsor ............................ $1000 +HST

One exclusive sponsor. Company logo displayed prominently on conference program, all promotional literature, and for one year on IHM website. Includes the option of booking up to two complimentary table top exhibit spaces and two complimentary conference registrations.

Signage at the event and in promotional literature, company logo displayed in the on-site conference program and for six months on the IHM website.

❍ Silver Sponsor ............................ $500 +HST

❍ Diamond Sponsor .................... $5,000 +HST

Company logo displayed in the on-site conference program and for three months on the IHM website.

Company logo displayed prominently on conference program, all promotional literature, and for one year on IHM website. Includes the option of booking up to two complimentary table top exhibit spaces and two complimentary conference registrations.

❍ Platinum Sponsor.................... $2,500 +HST Company logo displayed prominently on conference program, all promotional literature, and for one year on IHM website. Includes one table top exhibit space.

❍ Bronze Sponsor .......................... Product Any promotional items donated (pens, pencils, key fobs, notepads, products). Company will be acknowledged on the onsite conference program.

Table top exhibit space is available as an “add on” item to Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorship levels for an additional $500 +HST.

❍ Yes, I would like to book one exhibit space

Count us in as a Sponsor/Exhibitor at the IHM Annual Educational Conference!

Company Name: Address: Street

City

Contact Name:

Province

Postal Code

Phone:

Fax:

Email:

METHOD OF PAYMENT ❍ Cheque enclosed

Charge to: ❍

Card #:

❍

❍

Expiry Date:

Cardholder’s Name:

/

HST # 13021 6567 RT0001

Signature:

Please complete and return to: Institute of Housing Management, 2800 14th Avenue, Suite 210, Markham, Ontario L3R 0E4 Fax: (416) 491-1670 | Email: ihm@associationconcepts.ca Visit the IHM website at www.ihm-canada.com for conference program and registration details as they become available.

IHM News • Winter 2014

11

Education

Congratulations to IHM’s New Accredited Members: Dana Caputo, AIHM Yadamis Rita Fernandez Miranda, AIHM Andrea Reynolds, AIHM Gayle Saindon, AIHM

Rayka Todorova, AIHM Mihaela Vasiliu, AIHM

Congratulations to IHM’s New Candidate Members: Randy Aulbrook Tamie Beasley Leza Blair Valesa Faria Christine Fonseca Roger Grandison Christina Hipkin Tricia Marsh

Andrew McCreary Louie Mendez Cornelia Miron Virancis Rulona Vanessa Van Dette Eric Vonk Morgan Yirka

Congratulations to IHM/OMMI Members Awarded the “IHM Professional” Enhancement with their CMM: Kathy Harris, CMM III Michele Shears, CMM II

IHM Certificate in Property Management & Course Completions Human Relations for Property Managers

Strategic and Financial Planning for Property Managers

Paige Cutting Sadia Jagroop Brian Kinaschuk Jessica Mackenzie Stacey Radford Danny Rose

Marco Dias Tammy Marquis Debbie Mayerhofer Yevengiy (Daniel) Salganik Chelvi Subatharan

Building Maintenance for Property Managers Connie Leslie Matthew Sheedy Marissa Zuliani

Property & Building Administration Andre Hinds Daniella Loos Summer Nudel Trina Seguin

Congratulations to IHM’s Program Completion Students Tabasum Bhatti Dana Caputo Asqeri Kasmi Brian Kinaschuk

12

Beata Roszak Gayle Saidon Liisa Taskila

IHM News • Winter 2014