Canada and New Brunswick provide rental support for low-income working families

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton – Riverview – Dieppe, the Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Social Development, and the Honourable Daniel Allain, Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform, announced a $98.3 million investment in the Canada – New Brunswick Housing Benefit (CA – NB HB).

The CA – NB HB is part of the federal government’s National Housing Strategy and is a portable benefit that aims to help low-income working parents and their children access affordable rental accommodations that meet their needs. It will consist of a short-term benefit averaging between $300 to $475 per month depending on household income, composition and location.

The Benefit will help low-income families with children directly with costs associated with shelter and, indirectly with costs of food, clothing, child care and transportation. The program will support close to 6,700 households in the province over the next seven years.

The CA – NB HB aims to reduce the subsidized housing waitlist by supporting households working to overcome barriers associated with accessing long-term affordable housing in the rental market.

Quotes:

“Our Government is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. We recognize the long-standing need for predictable funding for housing, and that’s why we’re taking another significant step today toward our goal of building strong communities where New Brunswickers continue to prosper and thrive, now and for generations to come.”

“Today’s announcement is another example or our commitment to ensure that all Canadians, especially the most vulnerable members of our community, have a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. Part of our $70+ billion National Housing Strategy, the Canada Housing Benefit is a critical investment that will help alleviate rental strains for families in our communities that need it most. Our government is working collaboratively with the government of New Brunswick to address the most urgent housing challenges in the province.”

“The Canada – New Brunswick Housing Benefit has the potential to be a game-changer for thousands of NBers who are currently struggling with the challenge of rising rent costs in our province. Today’s announcement demonstrates a shared commitment between Canada and New Brunswick to prioritize affordable housing for New Brunswickers.”

“Providing for the needs of a family can be challenging for many New Brunswickers. We are pleased to work with the federal government to deliver a new program that will offer support directly to families who are seeking suitable housing and looking for enhanced employment opportunities.”

Quick facts:

• The provincial Department of Social Development is currently working on finalizing the application process, which will be open to eligible low-income families in the coming months.
• Initially, eligible families will be identified based on the current subsidized housing waitlist. More information on the application process will be provided in the coming weeks.
• The CA – NB HB is intended for low-income New Brunswick workers with children. Residents who do not meet the eligibility criteria for this benefit may qualify for other support provided by the Department of Social Development. For more information, residents may call 1-833-733-7835.
• The $98.3 million CA – NB HB is in addition to the Canada – New Brunswick Bilateral Agreement, a 10-year agreement announced in July 2018 which represents a joint investment of approximately $299.2 million that will provide long-term, predictable funding to protect, renew and expand social and community housing, and support New Brunswick’s priorities related to housing repair, construction, and affordability.
• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is the Government of Canada’s 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home — this includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.

Associated links:

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

Media contacts:

Mikaela Harrison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Audrey-Anne Coulombe
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
acoulomb@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Gail Harding
Communications
Department of Social Development
506-453-4447
gail.harding@gnb.ca