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Canadian Housing Crisis

82.13EM Emergency Resolution: Canadian Housing Crisis

Whereas, There is a growing number of households in Canada whose incomes are insufficient to command suitable and adequate housing in the private market; and,

Whereas, The rate of production of housing has declined dramatically and any aid to stimulate housing construction and related fields would bolster the nation’s economy; and,

Whereas, A shelter subsidy would provide immediate assistance for those households with the greatest need; and,

Whereas, Shelter allowances provide an immediate, flexible, less costly and more equitable alternative to low rental housing; and,

Whereas, Shelter allowances provide a flexible mechanism to provide relief for persons with either short-term or long-term financial concerns, and allow recipients to remain in their own homes; and,

Whereas, No one policy will solve the housing crisis in Canada; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada:

  1. To renew its strong commitment to the support and stimulus of the housing market;
  2. To stimulate the production of modest family housing; and,
  3. To increase support of existing social housing programs, i.e. Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, Non Profit and Co-Operative Programs and other federal social housing programs;
  4. To initiate and/or improve shelter allowance programs, basing them on total family income and actual shelter costs, with either National Revenue Income Tax legislation or Federal-Provincial agreements as the vehicle; and be it,

RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada request the Provincial Councils of Women to urge their Provincial Governments to initiate or expand Shelter Allowance programs.