Now, it’s local high school students’ turn to speak up on the issue. Halton Region is holding its second annual ‘Be A Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing’ contest to help raise awareness about the need for more inexpensive accommodations in the region.

Once again I’m serving as a judge for the contest, which is open to all Halton students in Grades 9 to 12. I’m looking forward to seeing the creative ways local youths come up with to promote a cause that’s been near and dear to my heart since I moved to Halton a few years ago.

Like many other young couples, my husband and I found it a challenge to locate a home in the area that wasn’t going to break the bank. Fortunately, we found a place, but sadly, many people can’t afford to move to what’s by and large an affluent region. Or worse yet, some who grew up locally are forced to leave because they simply don’t have enough money to rent or buy here. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.

It’s reasons like these that make the Region’s contest so important. Clearly more needs to be done to get an adequate supply of affordable housing in Milton and Halton, and I think the voices of local teens can make a difference.

These youths are the renters and homebuyers of the future, and they have the unique chance to get involved on the affordable housing front now before they’re out in the market looking for a place to live.

I encourage all Milton teens to consider entering the contest. Submissions can be made in a variety of formats, like video, song or poetry. The Region will award prizes to the students whose entries best depict why Halton needs more affordable housing.

The grand prize is $1,000, while the runner up will receive $500, and four honourable mentions will be awarded $100 each. The winners will also be recognized at an awards ceremony next month.

Submissions are due by Friday, Oct. 31, so there’s still lots of time to enter. To find out more visit www.halton.ca/beahero .

Please speak up and help me get the message out that more affordable housing is mandatory if we want to have a community that includes everyone.