Canadian Public Housing History

Canadian Public Housing History

By Seyfi Tomar

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT:

Dominion Housing Act (1935) ??: Introduced to combat housing shortages from the Great Depression.

National Housing Act (1938) ??: Replaced the previous act, facilitating construction loans and setting rental caps.

Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation (1945) ???: Aimed to enhance housing supply through the private market.

POLICY EVOLUTION:

1970s Shift ??: Emphasis on affordable rental accommodations. Various programs were launched to partner with entities for affordable housing.

1993 Stance ??: PM Chrétien ceased funding for new public housing and reduced social funding.

Housing First Initiative (2005) ??: A move to provide housing and treatment for the homeless after a significant study.

PROVINCIAL INSIGHTS:

Ontario ??: Housing authority was transferred to municipalities by 1998. In 1999 and 2000, key changes to rent and housing policies were made.

Quebec ??: AccèsLogis, established in 1997, became a significant promoter of social housing.

British Columbia ??: In 2002, innovative housing financing strategies were utilized in Coal Harbor.

LIVING STANDARDS IN PUBLIC HOUSING:

Substance Abuse ??: Higher drug and alcohol consumption among public housing residents.

Health ???: Increased rates of physical and mental illnesses, especially in specific areas like Downtown East Side of Vancouver.

Children's Outcomes ????: Adverse effects such as higher rates of teenage pregnancies and behavioral disorders observed.

ONTARIO'S 50-YEAR HOUSING OVERVIEW:

1970s to 1980s ??: Increase in government involvement; growth in housing co-operatives.

1990s ??: Significant cuts in federal investments and policy adjustments.

2000s to 2010s ??: Shift in housing responsibilities, introduction of new policies, and recognition of housing as a human right.

2020s ??: The pandemic exacerbated the housing crisis, with federal responses like the Rapid Housing Initiative. Calls for Indigenous perspectives gained traction.

2022 ??: Calls for more support post-rent freeze, with the federal budget emphasizing housing investments.

SUMMARY: CANADA'S HOUSING STRATEGY – LESSONS AND EVOLUTION

?? HISTORICAL JOURNEY:

Ontario witnessed changing dynamics over 50 years, moving from substantial investments and policies to significant cuts.

The COVID-19 CRISIS ?? accentuated housing challenges, eliciting responses from both provincial and federal tiers.

?? CANADIAN HOUSING OUTLINE:

Historically, housing is integral to social infrastructure and requires public backing.

The Canadian housing market is predominantly market-driven. The zenith of social housing occurred a generation prior.

?? CHALLENGES FOR A NATIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY:

1?? Bridging the gap between low-income Canadians' obstacles and wider middle-class challenges.

2?? Addressing skyrocketing housing prices, notably affecting the youth. ??

3?? Calibrating public expectations with current, reduced fiscal commitments.

?? FEDERAL LEADERSHIP:

Crucial federal involvement in housing was prominent from the 1960s to the 1990s.

The 1990s witnessed devolution and reduced federal roles, instigating present-day hurdles.

?? SHARED FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

Housing involves both federal and provincial realms, demanding synergy and coordination for efficiency.

??? PROVINCIAL ROLES:

Since the 1960s, provinces and territories have played an amplified role in housing policy and execution.

?? FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE:

Historical data links effective housing policy with robust tax revenue inflows.

Debt-financing for housing is viable, distributing the financial burden over an extended period.

?? HOUSING AS A COHESIVE SYSTEM:

A well-rounded view considers housing as a complete system, incorporating elements like capital funding and mortgages.

Historically, 10% public or non-profit housing sufficed for low-income Canadians' necessities.

?? As Canada contemplates its National Housing Strategy, it's pivotal to extract insights from historical precedents, acknowledge the imperative of federal-provincial collaboration, and perceive housing as a unified system

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON CANADA'S HOUSING POLICY AND FUTURE DIRECTION

Drawing heavily from the wisdom of GORD KRANTZ, Milton's stalwart Mayor, there are a number of key takeaways that warrant attention. Krantz's tenure, which began in the mid-1960s, grants him a unique vantage point, having observed and lived through multiple shifts in housing policies and governmental stances.

Krantz's observations on the "downloading" trend – where responsibilities cascade from federal to provincial, and ultimately to the municipal level – echoes the sentiment that municipalities are the "LAST STOP" ?? in this relay.

This continuous shuffling often leaves towns and cities grappling with monumental challenges without the requisite support.

Moreover, Krantz underlines a pivotal sentiment:

COLLABORATION ACROSS ALL TIERS OF GOVERNMENT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.

?? The housing situation has escalated to a point where siloed efforts are ineffectual. Joint, synchronized actions are the need of the hour.

At its core, the issue circles back to FINANCES ??. Regions like Halton, inclusive of Milton, are gasping for funding. With the expansive revenue streams at the disposal of federal and provincial authorities, Krantz rightly points out their capability to divert significant resources towards social housing.

ZOOMING OUT to view the bigger picture, it's disheartening to see that with all the CAPITAL ?? and RESOURCES at our disposal, modern Canada and Ontario fall short of the housing construction feats of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Why this stark disparity?

Why the seeming inertia amongst politicians? ??

The backdrop is clear:

GLOBAL INSTABILITY is rising ????, MILLIONS hold Canadian visas and permanent residency cards ??????, and many might soon seek refuge in our nation.

Concurrently, domestic concerns mount: declining BIRTH RATES ??, a young generation distancing itself from construction, automotive sectors, and other skilled trades.

The clarion call is evident:

CANADA AND ONTARIO NEED TO THINK BIG!

????? It's not merely about bridging today's gaps; it's about ENVISIONING and PLANNING for the next 10, 20, 30 years!

The macroscopic lens must be coupled with MICRO PLANNING ??, ensuring the country stands resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking in the face of impending challenges.

Seyfi Tomar

Secretary General of FIABCI CANADA

#PublicHousing #RefugeeHomesCanada #ImmigrantHousing #TransitionTownsCanada #RightToHousing #SeyfitOmar #HousingHistory #NewcomersToCanada #RESCON #OneOntario #GTHABA #LiUNA #CarpentersUnion #FIABCI #FIABCICanada #Training #TrainingYouths #CanadianHousingCrisis #OntarioHomes #AffordableHousingCA #ConstructionYouth #SkilledTradesCA #CanadianImmigration #HousingStrategy #OntarioFutureHomes