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Setting a vision for housing in Canada

The National Housing Strategy is Canada's commitment to ensure more people living in Canada have access to safe, affordable and inclusive housing.

The National Housing Strategy is currently a 10+year, $115+ billion plan to give more people in Canada a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the Strategy includes a range of complementary programs and initiatives that address diverse needs across the entire housing continuum. It’s anchored in the National Housing Strategy Act which requires the Strategy to consider the key principles of a human rights-based approach to housing.

National Housing Strategy $115+ Billion Funding Breakdown



The Strategy aims to achieve:

580,000

households whose housing need is reduced or eliminated

240,000

new housing units created

300,000

homes to be renewed and repaired

385,000

community housing units protected and expanded by 50,000

300,000

households provided with affordability support through the Canada Housing Benefit

25%

of funding toward meeting the housing needs of women and their children

Addressing housing needs through complementary programs and initiatives

$76.9B

New construction / repair or renewal of housing supply

$15.4

Initiatives delivered with provinces and territories

$11.17B

Existing community housing programs

$4.1B

Reducing chronic homelessness

$4.4B

System changes to increase housing supply

$1.892B

Support for the community housing sector

$1.3B

Improved homeownership options

$1.2B

One-time direct support payments to lower income renters

$550M

Data, innovation and research

$63.7M

Human rights-based approach to housing

Everyone needs to be part of the solution.

The National Housing Strategy was created as a direct result of extensive consultations.
The National Housing Strategy brings together federal departments, provinces, territories, non-profit sectors, Indigenous partners and private organizations.


PRIORITY AREAS FOR ACTION

The National Housing Strategy envisions affordable housing for all Canadians, promoting sustainable communities and a thriving economy. It emphasizes 6 priority areas for action.

  1. housing for those in greatest need
  2. community housing sustainability
  3. Indigenous housing
  4. northern housing
  5. sustainable housing and communities
  6. balanced supply of housing

PRIORITY POPULATIONS

The National Housing Strategy places significant emphasis on addressing the housing needs of populations with unique needs. These groups include:

  • survivors of gender-based violence
  • seniors
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • young adults
  • people with disabilities
  • individuals dealing with mental health and addiction issues
  • veterans
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
  • racialized groups, including Black Canadians
  • recent immigrants, including refugees
  • people experiencing homelessness

SHARED OUTCOMES

The National Housing Strategy has 11 shared outcomes:

  1. Homelessness is reduced year over year.
  2. Housing is affordable and in good condition.
  3. Affordable housing promotes social and economic inclusion for individuals and families.
  4. Housing outcomes in Canada’s territories are improved year over year.
  5. The housing needs of Indigenous groups are identified and improved.
  6. Affordable housing contributes to environmental sustainability.
  7. The National Housing Strategy contributes to Canadian economic growth.
  8. Partnerships are built, strengthened and mobilized to achieve better outcomes.
  9. Collaboration/alignment across the federal government results in more holistic responses to housing issues.
  10. Expertise and capacity are enhanced in the housing sector.
  11. Canadians have knowledge of their housing rights.

ADDRESSING INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN PRIORITIES

Meeting the housing needs of Indigenous and northern communities is a priority under the National Housing Strategy. Projects that focus on Indigenous peoples and families and northern housing are given priority through many of the Strategy’s programs and initiatives.

National Housing Strategy funding dedicated to Indigenous and Northern Housing

$420M through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative

$138.1M through the Affordable Housing Fund (formerly called the National Housing Co-Investment Fund)

$200M through the Canada Community Housing Initiative

$300M through funding for northern territories

$896M through Reaching Home – Canada’s homelessness strategy

 

Related National Housing Strategy Resources