November 28, 2017 – Last week the federal government unveiled Canada’s first ever National Housing Strategy, a historic 10-year, $40 billion plan that aims to cut chronic homelessness by 50 per cent and remove 530,000 households from core housing need.

The Strategy contains a broad basket of policy and funding measures including funding to repair 300,000 affordable housing units and build an additional 100,000 new units; financial assistance to 300,000 households through a new Canada Housing Benefit; and investment in a revamped federal homelessness program. The federal government also intends to introduce legislation recognizing housing as a fundamental human right.

The Canadian Association of Community Health Centres (CACHC) and its members applaud these various measures and are eager to work with all levels of governments as the Strategy moves to implementation.

“Our association and member Community Health Centres across Canada have long called for a national housing strategy and we join our partners in applauding the federal government for heeding this call to action,” said Nicole Chammartin, the association’s Co-Chair. “We also commend the government for committing to enshrine the human right to adequate housing in legislation.”

As multi-sector health and social service organizations, Community Health Centres (CHCs) have for decades been deeply involved in mitigating and addressing the complex effects of homelessness and inadequate housing. This includes direct healthcare and social services for homeless individuals and for individuals and families experiencing the physical, mental and emotional impact of precarious housing. It also includes housing advocacy for clients through case management and programs such as Housing First. And, numerous CHCs across Canada also provide direct shelter services and operate affordable housing units.

The interconnections and synergies between housing, health and healthcare are profound. For many Canadians, a Community Health Centre is where they intersect.

“The potential of our new National Housing Strategy to improve stability, health and opportunity for Canadians cannot be understated. However, implementation needs to be informed by experiences from the grassroots, from those who have experienced homelessness, and it must be approached from a multi-sector perspective. This is essential so that we leverage existing community infrastructure and scale up supports as quickly as possible while also planning for longer term solutions,” said Chammartin.

Community Health Centres and their national association are looking forward to working with the federal government, across ministries, to ensure that new housing policy and investments are informed by community and user experience, and leverage the capacity of community-based agencies to deliver both immediate and longer-term results.

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Media and other requests:
Scott Wolfe, Executive Director
swolfe@cachc.ca