November News

Liberals Detail $40B for 10-year National Housing Strategy, Introduce Canada Housing Benefit

The federal government has announced the details of its ten-year national housing strategy, which includes the introduction of a housing benefit for families that won't kick in until after the next federal election.

"[This is a] new, innovative plan that re-establishes the role the federal government must play in housing," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in announcing the plan in Toronto.

Following six months of dialogue and action, Cowichan now has a Coalition to Address Homelessness and Affordable Housing.

Guided by a leadership team involving Cowichan Housing Association, Our Cowichan Community Health Network, Social Planning Cowichan, and the United Way – the Home Team – the Coalition’s first task will be to complete and approve a Regional Plan to Address Homelessness and Housing in the spring of 2018, and establish priorities for action. Following on the heels of the release of a National Housing Strategy, the group is working to be ready for funding opportunities.

Home Team member Michelle Staples of Social Planning Cowichan reflected on years of research and action led by Social Planning Cowichan through the Regional Affordable Housing Directorate. “It’s been ten years since our first report on Inadequate Shelter in the Cowichan Valley. It’s taken a long time and a lot of work on the part of many people to bring this about, but we know from the experience of other communities that it takes about that much time. We’re ready to go.”