CHRA Issues Letter to Housing Ministers on National Housing Strategy

 On May 16, CHRA wrote federal, provincial, and territorial Housing Ministers to share ideas and thoughts regarding the upcoming federal consultation on a National Housing Strategy. The letter included a copy of the Declaration passed at the CHRA Annual General Meeting that contains key principles intended to guide the consultation and the proposed Strategy. A copy of the letter is here.
 
CHRA has been in ongoing contact with federal officials regarding the consultation. CHRA expects that an announcement regarding the consultation process will be made within the next several weeks.
 

JUNE 22, 2016 – 1:30 pm EST – 2:30 pm EST
You Are Invited: CHRA Summer 2016 Member Update 

Hear from CHRA’s Executive Director Jeff Morrison on CHRA’s 2016-19 Strategic Plan that lays the foundation for the associations programs, research, partnerships and national advocacy.
 
Ask questions and provide feedback live on the following, to also be discussed:

• Status of “National Housing Strategy” consultation process, and timelines;
• Policy positions that CHRA will be advocating for as part of that process;
• Research projects and other CHRA initiatives;
• Teasers on upcoming Fall 2016 Webinar Series and Congress 2017 in Halifax!

Have a burning question or issue you want to see discussed? We are giving you the opportunity to ask your questions in advance to make sure you are heard. Please use the subject line heading: “CHRA Summer 2016 Member Update” and send your questions to: mbouchard@chra-achru.ca.

For more information and to REGISTER.

* The webinar will be presented bilingually.
 

Liberal Party Passes Priority Resolution on Affordable Housing and Homelessness

The Liberal Party of Canada held its policy convention in Winnipeg May 26-28. The Party passed a priority resolution addressing affordable housing and homelessness, and passed two additional resolutions related to First Nations housing and the development of a National Housing Strategy. The passage of these resolutions will continue to keep the pressure on the governing party to deliver on their housing-related commitments  contained in their electoral platform, the Ministerial mandate letters, and in the 2016 federal Budget. The passage of these resolutions will also be used to enhance CHRA’s ongoing advocacy efforts.
 

Budget 2016 New Funding Set to Flow

CHRA has been informed that the financial arrangements between the federal and provincial/territorial governments regarding the new money announced in Budget 2016 under the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) have been largely completed. Housing organizations wishing to access these new federal funds should contact their respective provincial/territorial housing authorities. A list of the new federal funds that were announced in the March budget can be found here.
 

CHRA Past President Brigitte Witkowski Announces Retirement

CHRA wishes to congratulate its Past President Brigitte Witkowski on the recent announcement of her upcoming retirement as Executive Director of Mainstay Housing in Toronto. During her tenure as CHRA President, Brigitte helped to put the issue of affordable housing front and centre on the federal government’s list of priorities. An Executive search for the position of Executive Director of Mainstay Housing is now underway; more information can be found on the CHRA job board.