 |
Welcome to the CHF Canada Federal Election Co-op housing: part of the solution to Canada’s affordable housing shortage
More than four million Canadians don’t have a safe, affordable place to call home. These are not just statistics, they are real people – your neighbours, friends and family. A CHF Canada report released last year shows that renters, new immigrants, lone parent families, young adults, the elderly, and Aboriginal households are hardest hit by the lack of affordable housing. The federal government’s decision of September 4, 2008 is welcome news as three major housing programs were set to expire on March 31, 2009. Housing providers, especially non-profit housing co-ops, were pleased to hear that this funding has been designated for federal housing programs at $387.9 million per year for the next five years.
The federal government needs to guarantee that funding over the next five years is provided for the provision of permanent affordable housing options, such as non-profit housing co-ops. Co-operative housing can play a key role in helping Canadians who need affordable housing.
Housing co-ops can be part of the solution. For 40 years, co-operative housing has produced safe, sustainable communities for Canadians. Housing co-ops want: A commitment that a portion of the funding will be earmarked for the development of new co-operative homes, new co-ops or expansion of existing co-ops Existing co-ops need new federal investments to preserve the homes they have now and to add homes for Canadians who need them most. And some co-ops are so badly damaged by building envelope failure, or are so old, that they need to be completely redeveloped. A commitment recognizing that the public investment in housing co-ops will continue to be used to house low-income Canadians. Ottawa needs to extend existing operating agreements and federal subsidies to low-income households when present operating agreements expire When co-op agreements with the federal government expire, thousands of Canadians will be left without affordable housing. CHF Canada members have agreed that, if government subsidies for low-income households are available, up to 50% of co-op homes can be made available to low-income Canadians. This would make more affordable housing available immediately. A $30 million, five-year loan program so that co-ops can retrofit their housing for energy savings and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Canada’s housing co-ops are leading the way in environmental sustainability. A five-year, $30 million loan program will help older co-ops improve their environmental performance – saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Let your candidates know: Co-op housing can help.
|
|
|
The issue
