Housing Crisis
Despite worsening crises of housing affordability and homelessness, with large numbers of immigrants who will need homes, there was nothing new for housing in the federal budget that came down March 28 and not much in the Ontario budget that was delivered March 23. These crises will be left to become even more acute.
Provincial Budget
The Ontario budget provided $202 million more for supportive housing, needed to provide homes for people who’ve been homeless for a while. Much more was needed. There’s about $8 million a year for three years to reduce the backlog at housing tribunals and small investments to reduce the risk of youth homelessness. There’s no money for new construction of regular affordable units, no increase in Ontario Works and only an inflationary increase for Ontario Disability Support Program. See details and commentary here in this PDF document.
Federal Budget
The federal budget has nothing new for housing. National Housing fund money allocated for repairs can now be used for new construction—but no new dollars. The budget announces seven years of funding for Indigenous housing but the allocation for this year is the same as last. Previously announced Tax-free First Home Savings Accounts can be started as of April 1. “For thousands of Canadians who will not be able to pay their rent this week, they will find no relief or meaningful support in this budget,” said Tim Richter of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. See more in this PDF document.