A coalition of Canadian housing organizations have published a policy plan designed to strengthen the resiliency of their nation’s housing market.
Citing Canada’s existing economic problems and the stress created by a new trade war with the United States, the coalition – consisting of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, the Canadian Real Estate Association, Habitat for Humanity Canada, and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association – published the 13-page “Housing Canada: A Sovereign Plan to Protect Canadians and Build a Resilient Housing System.” The coalition’s plan identifies 10 “actionable pillars” that need to be addressed:
- Create an immediate housing safety net for Canadians
- Protect renters from falling into homelessness
- Double the share of community housing
- Ensure access to the land and infrastructure required to build communities
- Create resilient housing material supply chains
- Develop a housing skills agenda for Canada
- Reform taxes to facilitate homebuilding
- Streamline permissions to facilitate homebuilding
- Accelerate innovation to build faster, less expensive and better homes
- Rapidly expand urban, rural and Northern Indigenous housing
“This targeted trade war by the United States has already imposed a massive degree of uncertainty in Canadian real estate markets,” said Janice Myers, CEO of the Canadian Real Estate Association. “Declining confidence in our economy, the potential for job losses, and increases in the cost of day-to-day necessities will push thousands of Canadians further away from the goal of homeownership and further highlights the need for a housing system that supports all Canadians.”
“Every investment in housing is an investment in the economy and in reducing and preventing homelessness,” added Shaun Simms, president-elect of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. “Canada is facing challenges that could impact the financial security of millions. Strategic investments in community housing help people access affordable homes, drive recovery, create jobs, and support local businesses.”
