National Aboriginal Housing Association

March 19, 2007
For immediate release

Millions trapped in nation-wide housing crisis ignored as federal budget fails to deliver

Millions of Canadians in desperate need of affordable homes have been ignored in today’s federal budget, says the National Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. Low-income households, homeless people, national and local community organizations, municipal leaders and business groups have all called for a comprehensive and fully-funded national housing strategy, but the federal government has failed to deliver.

“Insecure housing and homelessness leads directly to decreased outcomes for children and families,” says Sharon Chisholm, Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. “Good homes are critical for economic competitiveness. Over two decades, governments (especially the provinces) have made massive cuts to housing. In recent years, the federal government has failed to deliver a housing and community strategy and the provincial response has been slow and fragmented. The three years in federal housing funding allocated last September, along with the two years in homeless dollars announced in December, are welcome, but they are, at best, a down-payment on a comprehensive, sustainable housing program.”

“The numbers from Canada’s latest census underline the critical need for more affordable homes,” says Michael Shapcott, Senior Fellow at the Wellesley Institute. “Our future population growth will come from immigration. Newcomers arrive poorer than resident Canadians, and stay poorer for longer. A national housing strategy is more important than ever. Canada also urgently needs a green housing strategy, especially after federal green housing plans were shelved by the government last year.”

“Social housing is the best investment for people and communities,” says Véronique Laflamme of FRAPRU. “Quebec, and Canada, has a long history of successful and cost-effective housing development. These hundreds of thousands of social housing units provide good homes and make great neighbours. That’s why we are calling for $2 billion annually in new funding for social housing. At least 1.5 million households – four million women, men and children – are in ‘core housing need’. Hundreds of thousands experience homelessness. All levels of government need to work together to find solutions to make sure all Canadians have decent, affordable homes.”

“Most Aboriginal people live in urban areas, and they suffer some of the worst conditions,” says David Seymour, President of the National Aboriginal Housing Association. “Canada needs a national aboriginal housing strategy that ensures Aboriginal housing and services under Aboriginal control. We are pleased with the September 2006 announcement of the Aboriginal affordable housing trusts, but there remains no sign of action by provinces in eastern Canada in the design and delivery mechanism of this program. This is particularly evident in Ontario.”

“Canada is one of the richest countries in the world,” says Cathy Crowe, a Toronto street nurse. “The homelessness disaster and nation-wide affordable housing crisis are a national disgrace. For a fraction of the federal surplus, for a fraction of the amount the federal government gives in tax cuts to wealthy individuals and profitable corporations, we could have a fully-funded national housing program.”

The NCHH is a national coalition of housing and homelessness organizations, faith groups and others dedicated to the goal of a comprehensive national housing strategy for Canada.

For information:

Sharon Chisholm – 613-594-3007
Cathy Crowe – 416.560.7235
Véronique Laflamme – 514.522.1010
David Seymour – 604.666.0866
Michael Shapcott – 416.605.8316