FCM calls for Continued Federal Involvement in Affordable Housing

FCM calls for continued federal involvement in affordable housing National Action Plan:
www.fcmca/english/media/backgrounders/hstrat.pdf

National Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness:
www.fcm.ca/english/media/backgrounders/hstrat1.pdf

OTTAWA, April 1 – The following statement was released today by the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Winnipeg Councillor Gord Steeves, in advance of the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing in Ottawa. “Federal support for affordable housing will run out by March 2009 putting in jeopardy much of the progress made in addressing recent years. Unfortunately, the recent federal budget was silent in this issue. The budget’s silence on affordable housing and homelessness magnifies the terrible uncertainty for Canadians whose shelter may depend on the continuation of these programs. It also affects everyone involved in providing affordable housing: municipalities, community organizations and developers.

Canada’s housing ministers are meeting tomorrow in Ottawa, and Canadians expect to hear solutions to the worsening housing crisis. We met today with Minister Solberg and tomorrow we will meet the chair of the provincial/territorial Council of ministers of housing to spell out the urgency of the situation and the need for continued federal involvement.

Our message is simple and clear: The federal government must end this chronic uncertainty around affordable housing and play a leadership role by committing to a long-term strategy.

There is no running away from the problem-people need shelter. Without federal leadership and long-term funding support, these problems will continue to strain the limited resources of Canadian cities and communities, and leave too many Canadians without a safety net.”

For further information: Maurice Gingues, (613) 907-6395