Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) Board of Directors Welcomes New Regional Councillors and Appoints New Officers

NIAGARA REGION, January 15, 2019 – The Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) Board of Directors welcomed new Regional Council directors and elected new officers at its first meeting of 2019. The NRH Board includes four representatives from the community and five Councillors, who were appointed by Regional Council. The new Regional Council Board of Directors for 2019-2022 are Barbara Butters (Port Colborne), Tom Insinna (Fort Erie), Leanna Villella (Welland) and Gary Zalepa (Niagara-on-the-Lake). St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik was appointed for a second term on the Board. The officers providing leadership for the NRH Board in 2019 are:

Chair - Mayor Walter Sendzik. Mayor Sendzik is serving his second term on Regional Council as Mayor of St. Catharines. In addition to the NRH Board, Mayor Sendzik serves on the Public Health and Social Services, Public Works, Audit, Budget Review and Planning and Economic Development Committees.

Vice-Chair - James Hyatt. James Hyatt joined the NRH Board in 2014. He is a retired military pilot and aviation management consultant, serving more than 30 years at bases across Canada and overseas. He is currently a Director for Luther Manor Apartments for Seniors.

Secretary - Karen Blackley. Karen Blackley has been on the NRH Board since 2010 and is a Real Estate Broker in Niagara. She currently serves as the Housing Liaison for the Thorold Age-Friendly Committee and Secretary for the Thorold Community Credit Union. She previously served on the Thorold Municipal Non-Profit Housing Board for 20 years.

Treasurer - Gary Zalepa. Prior to becoming Regional Councillor, Gary Zalepa served six years as Councillor for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. He is also a volunteer for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and serves on the Board of the Riverbank Art Museum in Queenston. He is currently Director of Strategic Growth for Century 21 Canada.

Quote - "Housing is a priority for Niagara Region and the experience of NRH in providing housing is increasingly important for our residents. As Chair I look forward to working with staff, Niagara Region and private sector partners to find new and innovative ways to address the housing needs in our community."
- Mayor Walter Sendzik, NRH Board Chair

Quote - "This is a critically important time for affordable housing in Niagara. Throughout 2018, NRH had more than 5,000 households waiting for affordable housing across our region. Mayor Sendzik has served on our Board for four years and is familiar with the challenges we are facing. That, combined with his work on the Compassionate City initiative makes him the ideal Chair for our Board"
- Donna Woiceshyn, NRH Chief Executive Officer

Niagara Regional Housing administers affordable housing on behalf of Niagara Region.

Contact:
Donna Woiceshyn
Chief Executive Officer, NRH
905-682-9201, ext. 3930
Donna.woiceshyn@niagararegion.ca

Mayor Walter Sendzik
Board Chair, NRH
905-688-5601, ext. 1542
Walter.sendzik@niagararegion.ca