Habitat family celebrates new home in Hamilton

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that affordable housing is key to Canada’s recovery, as people in Canadian communities are still having trouble finding safe and affordable housing.

Today, November 24, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for CMHC, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas and Canada’s Minister of Public Services and Procurement, along with Julia Deans, President and CEO for Habitat for Humanity Canada, and Sean Ferris, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity Hamilton, announced a $200,000 investment from the federal government that supported the construction of two new homes at 134 Catharine St N, in Hamilton, to help two families realize their dream of homeownership.

This investment by the Government of Canada was made possible through a three-year $32.4 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity Canada under the National Housing Strategy’s (NHS) National Housing Co-investment Fund (NHCF).

The National Housing Strategy’s NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, veterans and young adults.

The Habitat for Humanity model of affordable homeownership bridges a gap for people who face barriers to homeownership and would not otherwise qualify for a traditional mortgage. Local Habitat for Humanity organizations in every province and territory across Canada help build and rehabilitate decent and affordable homes, from single-family houses to multi-unit developments. With the help of volunteers and donors, Habitat helps families build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage geared to their income. Safe, decent and affordable homeownership plays a critical role in helping families build a foundation for a life with better choices and more opportunities.

Quotes:

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Our Government is dedicated to helping those in need which is why we are pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity to make a real difference in the lives of families here in Hamilton and everywhere in Canada. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.”

“Our government believes that every Canadian deserves a safe place to call home. Across the country, we are working with Habitat to build the safe, appropriate, affordable housing necessary for healthy and sustainable communities. Here in Hamilton, the investment in these new homes will make a real difference in the lives of these families, they will finally have a place they can proudly call their own.”

“As the pandemic’s impact pushes homeownership even further out of reach for families living with lower income, National Housing Week, which runs from November 22 - 26, is an important opportunity to reflect on the work that still needs to be done. Our partnerships and unique relationship with CMHC ensure that we can address this gap through housing investments that transform people’s futures, strengthen communities and foster resilience and stability.”

“We're thrilled to partner with CMHC for this build. This semi-detached, two-unit build is located in the heart of Hamilton, in close proximity to public transit and amenities. Each home has been outfitted with sustainability features and built to accessibility-ready standards. Thanks to CMHC's support, two more families have gained strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.”

Quick facts:

• With a budget of $13.2 billion, the NHCF gives priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans and young adults.
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes.
• Under the NHCF, investments are also planned to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence, as well as create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• To help Canadians find affordable housing, Budget 2021 provides an additional $2.5 billion over seven years in new funding and to reallocate $1.3 billion in previously announced funding to speed up the construction, repair, and support over 35,000 additional housing units.
• In Budget 2021, $750 million in existing funding under NHCF has been advanced to 2021 – 22 and 2022 – 23. This will accelerate the creation of 3,400 new units and the repair of 13,700 units. $250 million in existing funding will also be allocated to support the construction, repair, and operating costs of an estimated 560 units of transitional housing and shelter spaces for women and children fleeing violence. This funding will help the Government address gender-based violence.
• Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $72+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.

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, please visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

For information on this news release contact:

Mikaela Harrison
Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca