Homelessness advocates are asking the federal government to focus billions in available money for housing on those who need it the most, including Indigenous people and the working poor.
In a submission to consultations on a national housing strategy, the Canada Housing and Renewal Association says those groups often face greater pressure to find affordable housing.
The CHRA says in the submission being made public Tuesday that particular attention needs to be paid to Canada’s North where housing and the cost to repair existing units is more expensive than in the rest of the country.
In urban centres, the group argues there is a need to focus on affordability in the rental market and not just on reducing housing prices as part of a targeted approach to help those Canadians who face extra barriers to break the cycle of poverty.
The CHRA says the objective of the plan should be to provide every Canadian access to safe, affordable housing by 2035. To do this, the CHRA is asking the government to expand and reform its flagship program dedicated to combating homelessness by boosting funding and focusing on the country’s chronically homeless, youth and indigenous peoples.
The group is also calling on the government to provide rental subsidies and funding for transitional homes for victims of domestic violence, veterans and LGBTQ Canadians.