The Government of Canada released initial details of the first National Housing Strategy in the country’s history Wednesday, with the aim of cutting “chronic homelessness” by half by 2027.
“The main goal of the strategy is to help the most vulnerable Canadians and those struggling to make ends meet,” stated the government’s new website PlaceToCallHome.ca.
Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., outlined the strategy at a Vancouver press conference.
Duclos emphasized that it will take a co-operative approach and joint funding from provincial and territorial governments to deliver the 10-year program starting in 2019.
The National Housing Strategy includes:
- $15.9-billion for a new National Housing Co-Investment Fund to create 60,000 new affordable homes, 12,000 senior units and repair 240,000 affordable and community homes;
- $8.6-billion for a new Canada Community Housing Initiative in partnership with provinces and territories to preserve the existing supply of community-based housing;
- $4-billion for a new Canada Housing Benefit to be launched in 2020 in partnership with provinces and territories, for $2,500 annual rental subside for about 385,000 low-to-mid-income tenants;
- $2.2-billion to reduce homelessness;
- $300-million in new housing funds for the North.
When asked by reporters for specifics on the amount and timing of Metro Vancouver’s share of the largesse, Duclos said, “Details will be worked out.”
The delay in implementation, lack of details and no commitments to middle-class people in the open market had Richmond Centre MP Alice Wong joining a chorus of critical Conservative members.
“It’s important to look at low-income (people) but we need to look at the middle-income (people),” said Wong.
“I believe in social housing, however waiting until how many years from now? The money isn’t readily available,” she added.
When asked for her solution, Wong said, “The Liberal government has to come up with a solution. Our job is to hold them accountable.”
Wong did criticize the government’s higher mortgage interest rate stress test for new homebuyers, indicating this will prevent new homeownership, when implemented in January. She also suggested all levels of government work to free up more land for more housing supply.
Wong noted much of the money depends on matching provincial funds.
“What about our B.C. government. What are they going to do?” she asked.
“We are looking for details,” Selina Robinson, B.C. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing told the press conference, “And they can’t come soon enough.”
-With file from Business in Vancouver
