For immediate release:
January 23, 2008

Housing Futures Collaborative Echoes FCM Call for National Action on Housing and Homelessness at Federal, Provincial and Territorial Minister's Meeting

Ottawa, - When the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of housing meet in Vancouver next month, the Housing Futures Collaborative, a national coalition of non-profit housing organizations, is asking them to end the chronic uncertainty around housing and play a leadership role by funding a long-term national affordable housing strategy.

"We are looking to the federal government to take a leadership role and work with provinces, municipalities and the community sector to end the threat of housing insecurity and homelessness," said Sharon Chisholm, Executive Director, Canadian Housing & Renewal Association (CHRA). "The Action Plan released by FCM today proposes solutions to this growing problem."

"We are urging the federal government to commit to a sustainable funding structure beyond the expiry of all federal housing programs in March 2009," said Derek Ballantyne, CEO, Toronto Community Housing. "Renewed investment in affordable housing provides an opportunity to boost immigration and labour supply and improve the health and productivity of children and workers."

This was the message of strong support as the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) released their National Action Plan for Housing in Vancouver today. The plan offers a clear roadmap to a high-performing housing delivery sector and was developed with municipal leaders across the country. It calls for a marginal increase over current spending with costs to be shared by the federal and provincial/territorial governments, with municipalities providing local strategies.

The lack of affordable housing and chronic homelessness in urban areas across Canada is undermining the success and competitiveness our cities - the economic drivers of growth and productivity- and is becoming an issue for the so-called middle class. Thousands of Canadian families are struggling to find an affordable place to call home.

To read more about the FCM National Action Plan for Housing go to http://www.fcm.ca/english/media/press/jan232008.html.

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Housing Futures Collaborative Backgrounder

The Housing Futures Collaborative brings together key not-for profit housing stakeholders across Canada and aims to highlight the need for a continued investment in housing through research, advocacy and working with government, business and community partners. The steering committee is comprised of:

British Columbia Non-Profit Housing Association www.bcnpha.ca
BCNPHA provides leadership and support to members in creating and supporting a high standard of affordable housing throughout British Columbia. BCNPHA's members are primarily non-profit housing providers, but include other individuals and organizations that care about affordable housing.

Canadian Housing and Renewal Association www.chra-achru.ca
CHRA is celebrating its 40th year of promoting access to adequate, affordable housing for low- and modest-income households, and of building awareness of affordable housing issues through research, advocacy, networking and communications.

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada www.chfcanada.coop
CHF Canada is the nation-wide umbrella organization for co-op housing and Canada's link with co-op housing around the world. CHF Canada exists to unite, represent and serve the co-op housing community across Canada.

Ontario Non-Profit Housing Corporation (ONPHA) www.onpha.on.ca
ONPHA is the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario, uniting 770 non-profit organizations providing housing in 220 communities across Ontario. Founded in 1988, ONPHA's members include municipal and private non-profits of all sizes, with all types of funding.

Toronto Community Housing www.torontohousing.ca
Toronto Community Housing is home to 164,000 low and moderate-income tenants - families, individuals, seniors and people with special needs. Canada's largest landlord, TCHC is committed to providing good places to live, a green future and equal opportunities.