Watch the 2019 National Housing Debate
On October 6, CHRA worked with a coalition of housing organizations to host the first ever National Housing Debate in Ottawa. Adam Vaughan (Liberal), Pierre Poilievre (Conservative), Angella MacEwan (NDP), Geneviève Nadeau (Bloc Quebecois), and Angela Keller-Herzog (Green Party) discussed a range of issues related to housing. The debate was moderated by Toronto Star columnist…
Read MoreUpdated Rental Housing Index Launched
An updated version of the Canadian Rental Housing Index (RHI) was unveiled today at a press conference held in Toronto. The RHI is an invaluable online tool that uses census data to provide detailed information on rental housing conditions across Canada. The updated version contains rental housing data broken down by federal ridings; ideal timing…
Read MoreCHRA Indigenous Caucus Releases Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Report
Download the PDF version In late 2018, the CHRA Indigenous Caucus commissioned a report and survey that looks at the state of urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing in Canada, and provides recommendations on a path forward to improve its state. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Indigenous Services Canada provided funding to undertake…
Read MoreUpdate on Phase 2 of Federal Community Housing Initiative
CMHC has been working closely with key housing associations over the summer to finalize details for Phase 2 of the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI). This is a new rental assistance program for community housing providers reaching the end of their operating agreements. FCHI will be available from April 1, 2020 to March 2028. Find…
Read MoreCHRA and Coalition of Housing and Homelessness Organizations Release Open Letter to Leaders of Political Parties
At a press conference held today on Parliament Hill, CHRA and a coalition of community housing and homelessness organizations announced they have sent a joint letter to the leaders of the major political parties outlining several election platform recommendations in advance of the 2019 federal election.
Read MoreCHRA Releases Response to “National Housing Strategy Act” and Canada Housing Benefit
Today, CHRA publicly released two documents related to the National Housing Strategy. The first is a response to the “National Housing Strategy Act” contained in Bill C-97, and the second includes key principles to help inform the development of the ‘Canada Housing Benefit’ drafted by The Canadian Alliance of Non-Profit Housing Associations (CANPHA).
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Budget 2019: New Investments in Private Housing Affordability, But A Lack of Investment in Community Housing
The 2019 federal Budget unveiled today by Finance Minister Bill Morneau contained new measures to assist first time home buyers pay the costs associated with home ownership, and increased support for the supply of affordable rental housing. However, the Budget contained very few new investments to support community housing.
Read MoreCHRA Op-Ed: How to ensure every Canadian in need is safely housed by 2030
The online political publication, iPolitics, recently ran an op-ed by CHRA Executive Director Jeff Morrison.
The piece examines how the federal government could help to meet a new CMHC corporate objective of ensuring that by 2030, every person living in Canada had access to housing that met their needs. The editorial includes key messages that were contained in our 2019 pre-budget submission. This will also form the basis for our messaging in the lead up to the 2019 federal election.
Read MoreMembership Renewal: It’s time to renew for 2019
Prior to the holidays, current members should have received membership renewal notices by email. If you have not received it, please contact Melissa Weigel at mweigel@chra-achru.ca.
Take advantage of special Congress rates, invitations to members-only webinars, the chance to run for and vote in Board elections, and so on. Your membership is an investment that pays off throughout the year.
Renew or join today to get the most benefit!
Read MoreChanges to National Housing Co-Investment Fund unveiled by CMHC
In response to concerns raised by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) with the National Co-Investment Fund’s application process, CMHC has provided us with two documents that include changes that will ease the burden on housing providers applying to the program.
The first document is a webinar transcript (PDF) from a session held in October 2018 during which changes to some of the original application policies were announced.
The second is a new document issued by CMHC announcing changes to the energy efficiency and accessibility requirements for certain projects.
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