You can help shape a human rights-based approach to housing

The federal government launched consultations in order to develop a “human rights-based approach to housing.”

“Housing is the best tool we have to achieve better social, economic and environmental outcomes for people and communities. It lies at the heart of reducing poverty and homelessness,” says Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (Housing and Urban Affairs).

The consultations are open to all Canadians, especially experts in legal and human rights, housing experts and stakeholders, Indigenous peoples, and those with experience living in housing need or with homelessness.

“By launching these consultations, our Government will engage Canadians from all walks of life to share their views on key elements of a rights based approach to housing, and what maintaining a National Housing Strategy for now and into the future means to them,” explains Vaughan. “By making sure everyone’s voice is heard, we can continue to improve the homes and lives of Canadians over the next decade and for generations to come.”

The National Housing Strategy is a $40 billion plan that involves 100,000 new residential units, cutting homelessness in half, and removing 530,000 families from housing need.

“Nothing is more important than a home, and that’s why our Government announced Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy: a comprehensive $40-billion plan that will fuel our economy, strengthen the middle class and create inclusive, sustainable homes and communities where we can all grow and prosper,” says The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the funding:

• $15.9-billion for a new National Housing Co-Investment Fund
• $8.6-billion for a new Canada Community Housing Initiative in partnership with provinces and territories, and $500 million through a new Federal Community Housing Initiative
• $4-billion for a new Canada Housing Benefit to be launched in 2020 in partnership with provinces and territories
• $2.2-billion to reduce homelessness
• $300-million in additional federal funding to address housing needs in Canada’s North.
• $241-million for research, data and demonstrations.

“The National Housing Strategy will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the most vulnerable Canadians, and we are building on this historic milestone by consulting Canadians to help to, in part, inform how our Government will ensure an ongoing dialogue on the human rights-based approach to housing, and to ensure that diverse voices are included in the discussion,” adds Duclos.

For more information and to provide your feedback, visit placetocallhome.ca.