Yesterday’s Speech from the Throne set out this government’s vision and priorities for the months ahead, including a reaffirmed commitment to addressing the housing crisis that continues to affect Canadians in every region of the country.
The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) was encouraged to hear the government recognize that tackling this crisis requires a central and sustained federal role — particularly when it comes to creating and preserving affordable housing. As the national voice for the community housing sector, we know that safe, decent, and affordable homes are the foundation of inclusive, prosperous communities. The government’s commitment to Build Canada Homes marks an important step in creating the conditions needed to build more community housing across Canada.
CHRA welcomes the proposed launch of this new agency and urges the government to ensure it is equipped with the financing, policy tools, and partnerships needed to deliver at scale. We believe the community housing sector must be at the heart of this effort. Our sector has decades of experience building and managing high-quality, permanently affordable homes. As non-profit providers, we reinvest every dollar into the long-term well-being of our communities — and we are ready to do more.
As this work begins, it is essential that the momentum to build new community housing does not stall. The sector needs long-term, predictable, and uninterrupted funding to plan, scale, and deliver new housing across the country. Without consistent funding and financing throughout this period of transition, the risk of delays and missed opportunities will grow — and with it, the burden on those already struggling to find an affordable home.
We also recognize the commitments made in previous mandates that are essential to the success of this new phase. The Rental Protection Fund — first announced in Budget 2024 — remains an urgent priority. Preserving existing affordable housing stock is the most cost-effective way to prevent displacement and protect vulnerable renters. Likewise, we continue to call for bold action on urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing. Indigenous-led solutions must remain central to Canada’s housing strategy, and long-term investments must match the scale of the need.
We were also encouraged by the focus on community housing signaled in Mark Carney’s leadership campaign, where he committed to doubling the share of community housing in Canada. This ambitious but achievable goal reflects the scale of transformation needed — and the trust placed in our sector to deliver.
CHRA and our members look forward to working closely with this government and with our partners across the country to bring these commitments to life. The community housing sector has always been a reliable, solutions-oriented partner. We are ready to work together to build a housing system that is resilient, inclusive, and serves everyone in Canada.