Trudeau announces National Housing strategy to fight canadian housing crisis
- Abhi Raheja
- Apr 6, 2018
- 4 min read
Wednesday was a day of celebration for affordable housing supporters as the federal government announced a national housing strategy to deal with the housing crisis that aims to create 100,000 new housing units, repair 300,000 units and cut chronic homelessness by 50 per cent over the coming decade.
"It’s a new and an innovative plan that re-establishes the role that the federal government must play in housing,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
On the occasion of National housing day on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new National Housing Strategy in Toronto, Ont. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
According to Trudeau, the new strategy will help set up a Canada Housing Benefit which will provide funding worth $4 billion to almost 300,000 low-income households all over Canada.
The prime minister also said that the new strategy aims to cut chronic homelessness by 50 per cent over 12 years. “Even one Canadian sleeping on the streets, is one too many,” said Trudeau.
A Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) study found in 2016 that almost 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness every year.
The Prime Minister chose the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood in Toronto, Ont., to announce the new strategy. Lawrence Heights is the biggest redevelopment project undertaken by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), a public housing agency funded by the Government of Ontario.
The announcement by the prime minister came just hours after Mayor John Tory announced the completion of phase one of the Allenbury Gardens revitalization project. The project is one of the many projects undertaken by the TCHC to repair and replace existing public housing facilities.
Mayor John Tory cuts the ribbon for the opening of phase one of the revitalization project at Allenbury Gardens with CEO of TCHC Kathy Milsom, Ward 33 Coun. Shelley Carroll and a resident of the neighbourhood. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
Mayor Tory said that the private sector plays a crucial role in realizing the dream of creating a better city of Toronto and the city requires their constant support for the same.
“The most important partnership is what the city has had with private sector,” he said. Tory also said that such partnerships will be seen repeatedly across the city.
Mayor John Tory said it was a day of celebration in Toronto as the phase one of the revitalization of Allenbury Gardens was completed. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
President and CEO of TCHC, Kathy Milsom said that she “believes wholeheartedly” in the public-private partnerships in rebuilding Toronto. “It’s a terrific way to stimulate the economy, provide quality homes to our tenants and not be a burden on taxpayers money,” she said.
Kathy Milsom, President and CEO of TCHC speaking to the press at the opening of phase one of Allenbury Gardens revitalization project on Wednesday. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
Fred Serrafero, vice-president of FRAM Building group said, “The Toronto Community Housing is able to leverage the profits from the sale of market condos to invest in repairing and recovering of affordable housing units for low-income households.”
Fred Serrafero, vice-president of FRAM Building Group expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by city council and TCHC in helping recreate the Allenbury Gardens neighbourhood. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
Serrafero said that it is a mutually beneficial relationship for both the city and their firm. FRAM is a development and construction firm that is managing the redevelopment of Allenbury Gardens.
Ana Bailão, deputy mayor and Toronto’s housing advocate could not respond to an interview request due to other engagements.
Elisheva Passarello, an affordable housing activist, welcomed the steps taken by the city and said in an email that building sustainable and affordable homes is as important as to work towards eliminating homelessness because it ensures safety and health of families.
According to a study done by Sharon Kelly from the University of Toronto about the revitalization of Regent Park in 2014, the rebuilding process is not simple. She found in her study that relocation was the most concerning problem related to the redevelopment projects of TCHC. She said that the process is long and complex with a deep impact on residents.
Alana DeFlorimonte, a resident of TCHC housing at Allenbury Gardens said that her family was worried about the relocation process but the TCHC assisted them with moving out and gave them lots of options to choose from. “The relocation process turned out to be very smooth,” she said.
Alana DeFlorimonte, a resident of the Allenbury Gardens poses with the Mayor after the opening ceremony of the phase one of Allenbury Gardens revitalization project. Her family will soon be moving into their new home. (RSJ/Abhi Raheja)
“Our main focus is to help the residents with the relocation process. From helping them to pack up for moving out, we help them until moving back in,” said Milsom, CEO of TCHC.
Milsom also said that funding from the federal government will give the city more options about better relocation of people during such projects. She said, “I am positive that the new strategy is in the right direction.”
Joanna Pawelkiewicz, coordinator of The Dream Team said in a phone interview, that they have “guarded optimism” in the new strategy announced by the federal government but will wait to see how this plan becomes operational. “We are also excited to hear supportive housing at a national platform,” she said.
The Dream team is an activist organization of advocates of safe, affordable and supportive housing.
The Mayor of Toronto thanked the Prime Minister for responding to “all” of the requests made by affordable housing activists and big-city mayors through the new plan.
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