Canada’s National Housing Strategy At A Glance

The National Housing Strategy is the first of its kind in Canada, which was established to help reduce homelessness and increase the availability and the quality of affordable housing.

According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), 1.7 million Canadians are in need of core housing.

“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call ‘home,’” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. “Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy is a once-in-a-generation vision to reduce homelessness, support community housing and shelter spaces, and address challenges of housing affordability.”

We took a major step forward on housing today, and we will continue to deliver initiatives that strengthen the middle class and lift more Canadians out of poverty. –The Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

The strategy was developed by the Government of Canada through consultations with Canadians who have encountered obstacles with respect to quality affordable housing, experts, stakeholders, as well as provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

“Our Government is establishing a federal leadership role in housing,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC. “The National Housing Strategy will create a new generation of housing in Canada. It will promote diverse communities and will build housing that is sustainable, accessible, mixed-income and mixed-use that will be located near transit, work and public services.”

Part of the National Housing Strategy includes the $4-billion Canada Housing Benefit, which will be funded jointly by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Launching in 2020, the Canada Housing Benefit will put funds support into the hands of Canadians living in social housing, those on a wait-list and those living in private residences but struggling financially. The Canada Housing Benefit will deliver an average of $2,500 per year to approximately 300,000 households across Canada.

For more information, visit CMHC.