RENEW-ENERGIZE-DONATE: KW HGR RED Day 2024




Yesterday marked our annual RED Day at Keller Williams, a day dedicated to giving back to our local communities. RED Day stands for Renew, Energize & Donate.  It’s our annual day of giving back to the communities we live and work in.  Our office was closed for the day and over 40 of our Realtors and staff joined forces to collect and organize food donations, amassing over 800 pounds of essentials. Witnessing the impact of a small group of dedicated volunteers, operating without government funding, was truly humbling.

Carolyn, the Guelph Food Bank managing director, shared how they've established a network of food banks in southern Ontario, ensuring resources are shared efficiently. Mark, the Warehouse Manager, had us sorting through supplies, revealing that what seemed like a vast amount of food was only an 8-week stockpile. When faced with numbers like this, it really makes you realize how much work goes into efforts like this & how much help & resources are needed for this endeavour.


While our contributions were valued and personally rewarding, it shed light on the harsh reality of food insecurity. The individuals relying on food banks come from various walks of life, from struggling students to seniors on fixed incomes. A sad fact that was shared with us is that a growing number of indivudals that rely on the food bank are what are called the “working poor” - individuals who work full-time jobs, and yet after paying for their living costs, are unable to afford groceries.


A common thread weaved through these stories - a lack of affordable & safe housing. As people working in the Real Estate industry, this hits us close to home.


Housing costs have emerged as a pressing issue post-COVID, garnering attention from policymakers. While the federal government emphasizes efforts for entry-level buyers, the focus on developing ample affordable housing remains ambiguous. The provincial government's lack of support for constructing neighbourhood -sized apartments (fourplexes & triplexes) impedes the integration of affordable housing into communities.


The historic role of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in providing affordable housing, dating back to post-WW2 efforts, underscores the need for a substantial Public/Private collaboration today. Surplus provincially-owned lands within city limits could be repurposed to bolster affordable housing initiatives.


While affordable housing alone won't eradicate food insecurity, it offers individuals dignity and the ability to meet basic needs without compromise.


A heartfelt THANK YOU to our clients for their non-perishable food donations, supporting our community members in accessing nourishing meals. Gratitude extends to our dedicated team for volunteering their time on Thursday. We will continue to support the local food bank & other charitable causes in our immediate community.



On a slightly different note, our April stats have been released this week!

The release of April's real estate figures paints a promising picture following a sluggish March. Market conditions, although robust, retain an element of volatility fueled by the ceaseless 24-hour news cycle. The influx of reports on interest rates and economic fluctuations continues to drive uncertainty among buyers and sellers alike.


May has commenced on a positive note, gathering momentum in the real estate arena. For a detailed overview of April's performance, click the link below to access our April Numbers report.



You’ve got a lot of choice in where you get your real estate information and we appreciate the fact you follow our posts. I look forward to reading your comments & feedback!


We’re here to support your real estate journey and are here when you need us. 



Enjoy the weekend!


Paul Fitzpatrick



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