By Canadian Press

Federal housing budget a good start, more targeted support needed: Housing advocates

Apr 12, 2022 | 12:35 PM

OTTAWA — Advocates say while the federal government’s focus on housing affordability in the budget is promising, its measures could go further to help people in the most dire housing need.

Emilie Coyle, executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, says programs like the rapid housing initiative, which helps build homes quickly for vulnerable people, need improved access and flexibility.

Tim Richter, CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, says the absence of an urban Indigenous housing strategy is one of the biggest disappointments, since Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected by housing insecurity and homelessness.

Kaitlin Schwan, national director of the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network, says the budget measures don’t reflect the gendered nature of the housing crisis, with low-income, women-led households facing the greatest need.

The budget says it will give $1.5 billion to the rapid housing initiative, with at least 25 per cent of that going to women-focused projects.

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The Liberal government’s budget announced more than $10 billion in funding meant to speed up home construction and repairs, along with measures to cool the market and help those trying to buy their first home.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press