Portable supplement, focus on supply to be part of new housing strategy
OTTAWA — Those struggling to keep a roof over their heads — whether looking to ease the burden of monthly rent payments or in desperate need of help to get off the streets — will find out later this week how the Liberal government hopes to deal with Canada’s ever-present shortage of affordable housing.
The details of the national housing strategy remain a closely guarded secret, but sources with knowledge of the government’s plan say it will outline a federal push to build more affordable housing, set up new funding programs for housing providers, and provide rental benefits for those struggling in the private market.
With the ranks of Canada’s homeless on the rise and more households straining to stay sheltered, housing providers and advocates have high hopes that the strategy will help with housing affordability overall.
“It’s something that I think more and more Canadians can relate to,” said Tim Ross, director of strategic affairs with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.