Monday December 21, 2020
Families, Children and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen smiles as he makes his way to Rideau Hal in Ottawa, Wednesday November 20, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)
OTTAWA, ON, CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. More than ever, we see the impacts of high housing need on Black families, whether that be via homeownership or via accessible and sustainable rental housing.
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Marci Ien, Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, Evan Siddall, President and CEO of CMHC, and Julia Deans, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, announced a new investment of $40 million to create 200 home ownership opportunities across the country for Black Canadians.
Habitat for Humanity homes will be energy-efficient and one in every five homes will be built to meet accessibility standards. This new funding is in addition to the $32.4 million partnership between the Government of Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada to create up to 414 new homes across Canada.In Canada, systemic racism and discrimination is a reality for Black Canadians. Global events during the pandemic have also shone a light on these realities as racialized Canadians face additional socio-economic barriers as a result of racism, particularly anti-Black racism.
CMHC continues to review its product development through a racialized lens and taking actions to eliminate biases. Other measures include potentially adjusting some underwriting standards for homebuyers, new flexibilities for BIPOC developers and tenant support measures.
This new funding builds on the Government of Canada's work to address systemic racism against Black Canadians. This includes taking steps to advance Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy, justice reforms, and enhanced local community supports for young Black Canadians.
The Government of Canada will continue to support Black Canadian families so that they can recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and thrive in the months and years to come.
Quick Facts
- This announcement adds to the Government of Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada three-year, $32.4 million partnership, which is expected to create up to 414 new homes across the country.
- According to Statistics Canada 2018 Canadian Housing Survey, there is a large proportion of BIPOC in core housing need.
- The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55-billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units.
- The Government committed to eliminate chronic homelessness in its Speech From the Throne and proposed measures to increase funding through the NHS by more than $13 billion in the Fall Economic Statement.