Progress on the National Housing Strategy - March 2024

Affordable Housing Fund (AHF)

May 2, 2018

$13.17 billion over 10 years from 2018/19 to 2027/28

Create 60,000 new housing units and repair or renew 240,000 housing units

CMHC has committed $8.56 billion to support the creation of 34,528 new units (22,636 under 80% median market rent) and the repair/renewal of 164,649 units (130,163 under 80% median market rent).

Of the $8.56 billion, $4.98 billion are loans and $3.58 billion are contributions/forgivable loans.

Based on data collected at the time of application, the average monthly rent of new units that are under 80% median market rent is expected to be $704. The average rent would affordable to households with a before-tax income of $28,160 per year.

Similarly, the average rent of repaired units that are under 80% median market rent is expected to be $840. The average rent would be affordable to households with a before-tax income of $33,710 per year.

New Units

Of the 34,528 new units, 4,568 units are conditional commitments , 14,657 units are in progress, and 15,303 units are built. This includes commitments to make 1,481 shelter spaces or transitional housing units available for survivors of gender- based violence, 7,862 housing units for seniors, and 849 units for people with developmental disabilities.

Repair/Renewal Units

Of the 164,649 repair units, 3,757 units are conditional commitments, 113,622 units are in progress, and 47,270 units are repaired/renewed. This includes commitments to repair/ renew 407 shelter spaces or transitional housing units for survivors of gender- based violence, and 41,300 senior units

Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP)

April 20, 2017

$25.65 billion over 11 years from 2017/18 to 2027/28

Construction of more than 71,000 new rental housing units across Canada.

CMHC has committed $18.81 billion in loans to support the creation of 49,879 units.

Of the 49,879 units, 13,921 are conditional commitments, 1,965 are financial commitments, 22,482 units are currently under construction, and 11,511 units are built.

Based on data collected at the time of application, the average monthly rent of new units that are affordable to median-income families is expected to be $1,440. The average rent would be affordable to households with a before-tax income of $57,600 per year.

Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)

October 27, 2020

$4 billion over 4 years 2020/21 to 2023/24

Create over 12,000 affordable housing units

CMHC has committed $3.83 billion to support the creation of 15,756 new affordable units, of which 5,910 units are built, 7,624 are currently under construction and 2,222 units are financially committed.

Of the total units committed, 6,239 units are for Indigenous peoples, 3,712 units are for homeless people or those at risk of being homeless, and 2,258 units are for seniors.

Affordable Housing Innovation Fund (AHIF)

September 30, 2016 (Phase 1)

$208.3 million over 5 years from 2016/17 to 2020/21

4,000 below- market housing units created using innovative business approaches and building techniques.

Phase 1: $205.27 million committed to support the creation of 18,220 units, of which 16,572 will meet the program affordability criteria.

Of the total units committed, 13,748 units are financial commitments and 4,472 units are currently under construction or built.

August 30, 2022 (Phase 2)

$650.8 million over 6 years from 2022/23 to 2027/28

At least 10,800 housing units created.

Phase 2: $229.89 million committed to support the creation of 10,813 units, of which 5,300 will meet the program affordability criteria.

Federal Lands Initiative (FLI)

February 11, 2019

$202 million over 10 years from 2018/19 to 2027/28

Create 4,000 housing units by transferring surplus federal lands and buildings to housing providers at low or no cost.

CMHC has committed $120.44 million to support the creation of 3,946 units, of which 1,697 will be under 80% median market rent.

Of the 3,946 units, 797 units are conditional commitments, 3,149 units are under development and/or built.

Funding ($M)

n/a

$57

$48

$9

$88

$3

$205

New Units/Beds

n/a

4,661

5,754

431

7,366

8

18,220

Funding ($M)

$5

$50

$152

$20

n/a

$1

$228

New Units/Beds

100

2,660

7,704

347

n/a

2

10,813

Funding ($M)

$11

$1

$49

$10

$48

$3

$120

New Units/Beds

299

12

2,178

463

958

36

3,946

New Funding ($M)

$273

$472

$2,241

$925

$1,581

$283

$5,775

New Units/Beds

1,790

4,768

11,898

4,978

10,178

916

34,528

Repair Funding ($M)

$67

$131

$2,215

$198

$147

$28

$2,787

Repair Units/Beds

4,941

8,738

124,897

14,037

11,155

881

164,649

Funding ($M)

$209

$880

$1,369

$642

$553

$179

$3,832

New Units/Beds

1,188

4,892

4,259

3,007

1,773

637

15,756

Funding ($M)

$766

$3,100

$8,323

$507

$6,092

$22

$18,811

Units/Beds

2,417

9,496

21,860

2,131

13,888

87

49,879

Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI)

April 1, 2018 (Phase I)

$38 million over 2 years from 2017/18 to  2019/20

Funding for community housing providers to support 55,000 community housing units. Support of 13,700 low- income units, with operating agreements under federal administration through CMHC.

Support of 13,700 low- income units, with operating agreements under federal administration through CMHC

Over $42 million in rent assistance was provided to 25,706 community housing units during Phase 1 of the program which sunset in 2019-20.

September  1, 2020 (Phase II)

$580.2 million over 8 years from 2020/21 to 2027/28

Since 2020-21, $130.39 million in rent assistance was provided to 9,579 low-income units with operating agreements which supports the continued availability of 43,174 community housing units

Community Housing Transformation Centre (CHTC)

and Sector Transformation Fund (STF)

April 11, 2019 (CHTC)

December 2019 (STF)

$64.2 million over 10 years from 2018/19 to 2027/28

Increase knowledge and technical capacity of the community housing sector to support effective and sustainable business models while continuing to provide affordable housing.

Funding and tools for housing providers to support efficient and effective business models.

Established in June 2019, CHTC is a non-profit organization led by an Executive Director and a Board of Directors.

CHTC delivers the Sector Transformation Fund.

$31.9 million has been provided to the CHTC to set up operations, cover operating and program- eligible costs, and provide funding to 289 STF projects. Project areas of impact include the Environment, Indigenous, Local Projects, Sector Growth, Sectoral Impact, Social Inclusion and Sustainable Business. Many examples can be found on the CHTC website.

Community Based Tenant Initiative (CBTI)

December 2019

$10 million over 4 years from 2019/20 to 2022/23

Funding for local organizations that assist people in housing need to enable participation in housing decision-making.

$10.0 million to support 188 CBTI applications

One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit

December 12, 2022

$1.2 billion over 1 year in 2022/23

Assist up to 1.8 million eligible households.

$402.37 million to support 815,190 applications

Reaching Home ^{Endnote 1}

April 1, 2019

Nearly $4 billion over 9 years

Reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by March 2028.

Reaching Home is a community-based program that helps prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. This program is investing $4 billion in funding over 9 years to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% between 2016 and 2028.

• +17% change in chronic homelessness among shelter users (between 2016 and 2022)

Overall results for Reaching Home (includes Designated Communities, Indigenous Homelessness, Rural and Remote Homelessness, and Territorial Homelessness streams):

• 71,567 people placed in more stable housing under Reaching Home (cumulative for 2019-2023)
• 126,752 people received core prevention services under Reaching Home (cumulative for 2019-2023)

As part of the overall investment, Reaching Home is investing approximately $900 million in funding over 9 years through the Indigenous Homelessness stream and through Distinctions-based Approaches.

Specifically for Reaching Home’s Indigenous Homelessness Funding Stream^{Endnote 1}

• 12,492 people placed into more stable housing.
• 13,806 people who benefited from core prevention services.

^{Endnote 1} (Outcomes data is not currently available for the Distinctions-based approaches funding)

The overall investments also includes approximately $70 million in funding over 9 years through the Territorial Homelessness stream.

Specifically for Reaching Home’s Territorial Homelessness Funding Stream:

390 people placed into more stable housing.

2,069 people who benefited from core prevention services.

Veterans Homelessness Program ^{Endnote 1}

Spring 2023

$79.1  million over 5 years

To be set in 2024/25

The Veteran Homelessness Program, which is part of the NHS, launched in spring 2023. Successful applicants from a national call for proposals have all been informed and contribution agreements are being put in place. Once concluded, service providers will start offering services.

Shared Equity Mortgage Provider (SEMP) Fund

July 31, 2019

$100 million over 5 years from 2019/20 to 2023/24

Assist 1,500 first- time homebuyers and assist in the creation of 1,500 new homeownership units

$38.25 million committed to assist in the creation of 1,377 new homeownership units. The program sunset in 2023/24.

First-Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI)

September 2, 2019

$1.25 billion over 5 years from 2019/20 to 2023/24

Assist up to 100,000 first-time homebuyers

25,839 applications approved, representing $468.1 million in Shared Equity Mortgages. The program sunset in 2023/24.

Approved Applications (#)

9,074

2,626

1,000

1,586

3,891

7,662

Funded Applications (#)

8,557

2,525

939

1,514

3,673

7,342

Approved Shared Equity Mortgages ($)

$185,127,953

$36,484,800

$21,354,643

$30,454,345

$63,324,741

$131,395,277

Funded Shared Equity Mortgages ($)

$173,968,766

$34,707,818

$19,992,437

$28,778,204

$58,573,512

$124,787,194

National Housing Strategy Act

N/A

The Act recognizes the right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right affirmed in international law. The Act requires the federal government to maintain a national housing strategy to further housing policy, taking into account key principles of a human rights-based approach to housing, and report to Parliament every three years on the progress towards the strategy’s goals and outcomes.

Tabled in Parliament on April 8, 2019, as part of Bill C-97, and received Royal Assent on June 21, 2019. The National Housing Strategy Actcame into force on July 9, 2019.

National Housing Council

November 22, 2020

The Council, with diverse representation, will further housing policy by providing advice to the responsible Minister on, among other things, the effectiveness of the National Housing Strategy with the aim of improving housing outcomes.

The Council meets quarterly.

The Council completed its work plan for 2021-2023, which included three priority areas:

1. Progressive Realization of the Right to Adequate Housing,
2. Improving the National Housing Strategy, and
3. Urban, Rural and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing.

The three associated reports with recommendations to the Minister have been sent to the Minister and published on the Council’s website nhc-cnl.ca.

The Council also established a first review panel at the request of the Federal Housing Advocate on the financialization of purpose- built rental housing. The panel held a hearing which consisted of written and oral hearing phases. The panel will soon be releasing its report with opinion and recommendations to the Minister on the issue.

The Council also received a second request to establish a review panel on the failure to prevent and eliminate homelessness amongst women and gender-diverse people.

Federal Housing Advocate

2020

The Federal Housing Advocate is an appointment by the Governor in Council and supported by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The Federal Housing Advocate’s mandate includes consulting with members of vulnerable groups and working directly with communities affected by systemic housing issues. The Advocate may request that the National Housing Council establish a review panel to hold a hearing to review any systemic housing issue within federal jurisdiction. The Advocate also monitors and reports annually on their findings related to systemic housing issues that they hear about and associated recommendations.

On February 3, 2022, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion announced the appointment of the new Federal Housing Advocate.

Read the Minister’s statement.

Review panels

In September 2022, the Federal Housing Advocate requested that the National Housing Council establish a review panel on the financialization of purpose-built rental housing. On December 8, 2022, the Council passed a motion to proceed with the review panel as requested by the Federal Housing Advocate. The panel held a hearing which consisted of written and oral hearing phases. The panel will soon be releasing its report with opinion and recommendations to the Minister on the issue.

In May 2023, the Federal Housing Advocate requested that the National Housing Council establish a review panel on the failure to prevent and eliminate homelessness amongst women and gender-diverse people, particularly Indigenous women, gender-diverse, and Two-Spirit people. The National Housing Council has not yet launched this review panel.

Review of systemic housing issue

In February 2023, the Federal Housing Advocate launched a formal review of encampments in Canada. In October 2023, the Advocate released her first of a two- part report on encampments in Canada, and her final report titled Upholding dignity and human rights: the Federal Housing Advocate’s review of homeless encampments was released in February 2024.

Annual report

On June 14, 2023, the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion tabled in Parliament the Federal Housing Advocate’s 2022-23 Annual Report and his response to the report.

Solutions Labs

May 21, 2018

$24.5 million from 2018/19 to  2027/28

Provides housing stakeholders with funding to help solve complex and persistent housing problems and foster innovation in the housing sector.

Support experts and housing stakeholders to incubate and scale potential solutions to housing affordability pressures.

$16.7 million to support 73 solutions labs fostering innovation in the housing sector.

NHS Demonstrations Initiative

May 21, 2018

$12.5 million over 10 years from 2018/19 to 2027/28

Support demonstrations of forward-looking, innovative technologies, practices and strategies that explore the future of housing in Canada.

$8.3 million to support 43 demonstration projects.

Housing Supply Challenge

October 23, 2020

$300 million over 5 years from 2020/21 to 2024/25

The Housing Supply Challenge (HSC) invites citizens, stakeholders, and experts from across Canada to propose innovative solutions to the barriers that limit the housing supply.

The Housing Supply Challenge will result in new ideas and solutions that will help more people find an affordable place to call home.

Each round had dozens of submitted solutions and prototypes funded:

In Round 1: Data Driven, a total of 136 solutions were submitted, of which 21 were shortlisted and 14 prototypes were ultimately selected for funding (sharing a pool of $22.5 million for implementation).

In Round 2: Getting Started, a total of 167 solutions were submitted, of which 29 were shortlisted and 14 prototypes were ultimately selected for funding (sharing a pool of $38 million for implementation).

In Round 3: Northern Access, a total of 187 solutions were submitted, of which 33 were shortlisted and 15 solutions were selected for funding (sharing a pool of $72 million for implementation).

In Round 4: Building for the Future, a total of 252 solutions were submitted, of which 26 were shortlisted and 16 solutions were selected for funding (sharing a pool of $36 million for implementation).

In Round 5: Level-Up, a total of 254 solutions were submitted and 18 semi-finalists were identified. Final decisions on which solutions will receive the next stages of funding will be announced in Fall 2024 and Winter 2025.

Housing Research Scholarship Program

Spring 2018

$3.65 million over 10 years

Funding for postdoctoral fellowships to help build housing expertise in Canada.

$2.52 million in scholarships awarded for 28 postdoctoral fellowships to conduct research in support of the NHS. The program has been expanded to include Masters and PhD students, if funds allow. Funding announcements are expected in Spring/Summer 2024.

CMHC Housing Research Award Program

April 2018

$500,000 over 10 years

Promote and extend impactful housing research.

Awards ceremonies held in November 2018, December 2019, November 2020 and November 2021. The 2022 recipients were featured in videos posted to the CMHC Awards program page.

To date, the program has given out 18 awards and 4 travel bursaries for a total of $270,000.

The next competition will launch in May, 2024.

Collaborative Housing Research Network

July 12, 2018

$13.9 million over 10 years

Canada-wide collaboration of academics and community partners in research to inform housing policy decision-making

$640,000 awarded to 8 Partnership Development Grants ($80,000 each) to help lay the foundation of the Network.

Research Network created by supporting 6 multi-year team grants. Investment for first 5 years is $7.9 million.

NHS Research and Planning Fund

June 18, 2018

$6.6 million over 10 years

Support non-profit housing stakeholders seeking to undertake housing related research.

$5.5 million has been awarded to 41 research proposals across the country.

The latest project awarded funding will be announced in the spring.

The next call for applications is anticipated for the second half of 2024.

NHS Housing Needs Data

Fall 2018

$62 million over 10 years

Enhance data collection and analysis, development of new housing surveys and comprehensive databases with social, economic and financial information to produce housing statistics.

2 surveys were created to better understand housing conditions and experiences in Canada, including for those living in social and affordable housing.

• Results from the second Canadian Housing Survey (Statistics Canada)
• Results from the second Social and Affordable Housing Survey – Rental Structures (CMHC)

Creation of foundational documents necessary to initiate a mortgage industry data standards organization in Canada.

Survey of Non-Bank Residential Mortgage Lenders to get a more complete picture of the overall mortgage market in Canada.

Progress toward building a database of all social housing across Canada.

Progress toward building a database on residential evictions.

Expert Community on Housing (ECOH)

November 21, 2018

The Expert Community on Housing (ECoH) is an open community where members with a wide range of housing experience can collaborate, share knowledge, contribute to the development of housing solutions, and network with leaders within and outside of the traditional housing ecosystem to address common challenges.

Currently hosting over 2500 members with ongoing intake of new members.

National Housing Conference

2018/19

Bi-annual conference to bring industry experts together.

CMHC hosted a National Housing Conference in 2018/19. Due to COVID, the 2020/21 conference was cancelled and none were held in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

CMHC hosted the National Housing Conference, with a theme of “Unlocking Solutions Together” on March 18- 19, 2024 at the Westin Ottawa. A conference summary report will be available in summer 2024.

Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF)

March 17, 2023

The Housing Accelerator Fund provides incentive funding to local governments encouraging initiatives aimed at increasing housing supply. It also supports the development of complete, low-carbon and climate- resilient communities that are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse.

$3.92 billion committed to fast track 106,606 housing units.

2017

$84M

2018

$405M

2019

$2,642M

2020

$3,393M

2021

$4,181M

2022

$3,915M

2023

$2,713M

Expenditures^{Endnote 2}

$6,484M

2016/17

$10M

2017/18

$70M

2018/19

$0M

2019/20

$155M

2020/21

$1,214M

2021/22

$1,828M

2022/23

$1,122M

2023/24

$2,084M

Canada Community Housing Initiative

$8.6 billion

$1.08 billion

$1.10 billion

P/T Priorities Funding

$2.2 billion

$779.77 million

$971.31 million

Canada Housing Benefit^{Endnote 3}

$4.2 billion

$535.76 million

$568.26 million

Northern Funding^{Endnote 4}

$300 million

$180.00 million

N/A

Units continue to be offered in social housing

308,097

330,000 units

15% Expansion of rent assisted units^{Endnote 7}

14,151

50,000 units

At least 20% of existing social housing units repaired^{Endnote 7}

120,755

60,000 units

Households Assisted through the CHB

154,532

300,000 units

Alberta

3,555

35,511

507

4,740

507

23,700

British Columbia

5,174

23,525

1,483

6,934

1,766

34,491

Manitoba

2,108

18,787

625

5,470

663

23,417

New Brunswick

1,262

6,633

48

1,991

52

9,954

Newfoundland and Labrador

894

3,236

75

1,192

75

5,957

Northwest Territories

100

532

67

856

10

1,231

Nova Scotia

1,591

6,074

106

3,000

111

11,615

Nunavut

244

670

0

325

0

1,625

Ontario

19,660

50,623

1,452

26,213

1,452

131,063

Prince Edward Island

588

2,203

0

377

0

936

Quebec^{Endnote 8}

N/A

145,270

1,128

N/A

1,128

63,630

Saskatchewan

2,467

10,169

249

3,290

165

16,448

Yukon

98

5,535

0

199

0

543

Total

37,714

308,768

5,740

54,587

5,929

324,610

Total

14,151

154,532

5,154

120,755

3,279

308,097

Survivors of gender-based violence

3,383

1,955

Seniors

10,312

41,300

Young adults

733

24

Indigenous peoples

12,910

19,351

People with developmental disabilities

2,560

23,186

People with physical disabilities

People dealing with mental health and addiction issues

2,417

1,054

Veterans

227

29

2SLGBTQIA+

141

7

Racialized groups

290

8

Recent immigrants (especially refugees)

335

304

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness

7,134

4,113

Black Canadians

538

157

Women and children^{Endnote 14}

15,251

31,769

Total Number of Units Committed^{Endnote 15}

56,231

123,257

Survivors of gender-based violence

10

Seniors

111

Young adults

100

Indigenous peoples

865

People with disabilities

81

People dealing with mental health and addiction issues

4

Veterans

20

2SLGBTQIA+

0

Racialized groups

15

Recent immigrants (especially refugees)

40

People experiencing homelessness

0

Women and children^{Endnote 14}

164

Total Number of Units Committed^{Endnote 15}

1,410

Survivors of gender-based violence

110

Seniors

81

Young adults

0

Indigenous peoples

296

People with disabilities

29

People dealing with mental health and addiction issues

0

Veterans

0

2SLGBTQIA+

0

Racialized groups

0

Recent immigrants (especially refugees)

30

People experiencing homelessness

30

Women and children^{Endnote 14}

510

Total Number of Units Committed ^{Endnote 15}

1,086

Survivors of gender-based violence

845

Seniors

2,258

Young adults

295

Indigenous peoples

6,239

People with disabilities

760

People dealing with mental health and addiction issues

1,030

Veterans

7

2SLGBTQIA+

109

Racialized groups (including Black Canadians)

421

Recent immigrants (especially refugees)

66

Women and children^{Endnote 14}

5,401

People experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

3,712

Total Number of Units Committed^{Endnote 15}

15,742

Survivors of gender-based violence

2,418

1,955

Seniors

7,862

41,300

Young adults

338

24

Indigenous peoples

5,510

19,351

People with disabilities

1,690

23,186

People dealing with mental health and addiction issues

1,383

1,054

Veterans

200

29

2SLGBTQIA+

32

7

Racialized groups

18

8

Black Canadians

374

157

Recent immigrants (especially refugees)

199

304

People experiencing homelessness

3,392

4,113

Women and children^{Endnote 14}

9,176

31,769

Total Number of Units Committed^{Endnote 15}

32,592

123,257