CPJ calls for clear timelines and collaboration with Indigenous Canadians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON: November 22, 2016 — Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) looks forward to strong commitments out of today’s housing consultation report. Today, on National Housing Day. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, reported on the public consultations conducted to help develop Canada’s National Housing Strategy.
The report reflects some of the key concerns that CPJ raised in our submission to the consultation process, that the National Housing Strategy should:
- Set clear goals, timelines, and monitoring provisions, and be supported by legislation and funding of $2 billion per year, at minimum, in new funding (matched by provinces and territories).
- Be developed in partnership with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments and organizations to include focused Indigenous infrastructure development strategies.
“It is our hope that the government will develop in partnerships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments and organizations as they develop their national housing strategy,” says Darlene O’Leary, socio-economic policy analyst with CPJ. “We hope that the national strategy reflects these priority concerns raised by us and many others who participated in the consultations.”
Over 1 in 4 households spend between 30-50% of after tax income on housing. Approximately 235,000 people in Canada experience homelessness each year, less than 20% of whom end up on the street, while the rest are part of the “hidden homeless.” The current stock of affordable and social housing is in disrepair and new affordable housing is desperately needed.
CPJ is pleased to see the federal government move forward on plans to develop this national housing strategy. Through our co-leadership on the Dignity for All Campaign, CPJ has called for a National Housing Strategy to be part of a larger, comprehensive, National Anti-Poverty Plan. “This national housing strategy should be a key component of the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said O’Leary.
-30-
For more information, contact Brad Wassink at brad@cpj.ca or 613-232-0275 x. 225.
