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Key Issues

  1. Minister’s Mandate
  2. Budget 2025
  3. Supplementary Estimates (B) 2025-2026
  4. Buy Canadian
  5. PBO Report on Build Canada Homes 
  6. Illegal Foreign Labour in Federal Infrastructure Projects
  7. Neha Review Panel Report
  8. Report of the Federal Housing Advocate on Encampments in Southern Ontario

Minister’s Mandate

Issue / question

An overview of the mandate and priorities of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

Suggested response

  • This government is committed to getting more affordable homes built, addressing homelessness, and supporting infrastructure projects that are economy-enabling and that build communities.
  • Two new flagship initiatives will help make this happen: Build Canada Homes and the Build Communities Strong Fund. Both elements will help build strong, resilient and prosperous communities across the country and grow our economy to the benefit of Canadians.
  • The Canada Infrastructure Bank will also be a key partner in advancing the government’s priorities, including major projects of national and regional significance.
  • This government has been working closely with the provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners, and the private sector to ensure fast and effective implementation of these initiatives.

Background

  • On May 21, 2025, the Prime Minister published a mandate letter for which Cabinet members are to adhere to as their mandate. The letter specifies seven priorities to focus on:
    1. Establishing a new economic and security relationship with the United States and strengthening our collaboration with reliable trading partners and allies around the world.
    2. Building one Canadian economy by removing barriers to interprovincial trade and identifying and expediting nation-building projects that will connect and transform our country.
    3. Bringing down costs for Canadians and helping them to get ahead.
    4. Making housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades.
    5. Protecting Canadian sovereignty and keeping Canadians safe by strengthening the Canadian Armed Forces, securing our borders, and reinforcing law enforcement.
    6. Attracting the best talent in the world to help build our economy, while returning our overall immigration rates to sustainable levels.
    7. Spending less on government operations so that Canadians can invest more in the people and businesses that will build the strongest economy in the G7.
  • The Minister of Infrastructure and Communities’ responsibilities include an important and diverse portfolio, and a workplan including taking action to getting more affordable homes built, addressing homelessness, and supporting infrastructure projects that are economy-enabling and that build communities.
  • On housing, on September 8, 2025, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure co-chaired a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing, to advance housing and homelessness priorities across the country. During the meeting, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the housing crisis through collaboration on shovel-ready affordable housing projects and committed to working together on five priorities aimed at improving housing outcomes across the country:
    1. Renewing intergovernmental partnerships on affordable housing beyond the expiry of the National Housing Strategy in 2028;
    2. Addressing homelessness through strengthened responses and coordinated investments, including more deeply affordable, supportive and transitional housing with wraparound supports for vulnerable populations to help reduce chronic homelessness;
    3. Increasing housing supply, with a focus on affordable housing, by coordinating efforts to unlock new housing starts and reduce barriers;
    4. Supporting Indigenous housing and working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to advance Indigenous-led solutions and improve access to safe, culturally appropriate housing; and,
    5. Scaling up modern methods of construction by accelerating the adoption of modular, prefabricated, and other innovative technologies, where they make sense, to enhance speed and efficiency in delivering housing.
  • In relation to Infrastructure priorities, the federal government is committed to accelerating nation-building infrastructure projects at transformative speeds to build strong, sustainable, and thriving communities.
  • Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada's top priorities for 2025-26 are as follows:
    • Lead federal housing policy and program development to increase housing supply and affordability overall, support the growth of the non-market housing sector, and ensure federal investments in public infrastructure support stronger housing outcomes.
    • Deliver impact-focused investments through the next generation of public transit programming that integrates housing, land use and other related needs as part of complete, transit-oriented communities.
    • Invest in the construction and rehabilitation of core public infrastructure by delivering programs that support housing goals; moves Canada toward a net-zero, climate resilient future; and, protects our communities most at-risk.
    • Continue to support communities, partners, and other organizations and governments, through the development and implementation of policies and programs that prevent and reduce homelessness.
    • Proactively engage with stakeholders, partners and Indigenous organizations and communities, as well as advance research and data to inform policy and program development to support local community growth and renewal.
    • Support the construction, maintenance and operations of major bridges and projects to promote the efficient movement of people and goods, while facilitating effective governance and stewardship of our portfolio organizations.
    • Promote private sector involvement as well as the consideration and development of alternative finance and delivery models and tools early and upstream in planning phases of projects to optimize the use of public funds.
  • The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure is supported by a Deputy Minister and a department whose formal mandate is to deliver policies, programs and investments that help build sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient communities while addressing challenges Canadians face every day, including access to:
    • safe and affordable housing;
    • modern and accessible public transit;
    • climate resilient infrastructure to protect communities in the face of climate change;
    • safe and clean water; and,
    • inclusive cultural and recreational community spaces.
  • It does this by:
    • Investing in housing and infrastructure to build inclusive, sustainable communities and address chronic homelessness;
    • Collaborating with partners to deliver modern public infrastructure, reliable transit, and affordable housing;
    • Leveraging partnerships and alternative financing to address housing needs, deliver major projects, and drive economic growth;
    • Supporting climate-ready infrastructure to mitigate natural disasters and help communities adapt and build resilience; and,
    • Conducting research and analysis to guide priorities and long-term planning toward a net-zero, climate-resilient future.
  • In line with these activities, the Department supports the Minister in addressing the housing and infrastructure priorities set out in the Prime Minister’s Mandate Letter.
  • The Minister also partners with provincial and territorial governments through the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Forum on Housing, given the shared responsibility and complementary roles for housing outcomes in Canada.

Budget 2025 

Issue / question

An overview of the department’s initiatives as proposed in Budget 2025.

Suggested response

  • Budget 2025 announced the government’s plan to Build Canada Strong by investing in the major infrastructure, homes, and industries that grow Canada’s economy.
  • It announced the new Build Communities Strong Fund, including $51 billion over 10 years and $3 billion per year ongoing to support public infrastructure projects of local and regional significance.
  • Budget 2025 also increased the capitalization of the Canada Infrastructure Bank by $10 billion to enable investments in nation-building projects that have been referred to the Major Projects Office.
  • Build Canada Homes was capitalized with an initial investment of $13 billion over five years to deliver housing at scale by deploying modern construction methods and supercharging home building across the country.

Background

Build Communities Strong Fund

  • Budget 2025 provides $51.0 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27 and $3 billion per year ongoing for a new Build Communities Strong Fund. Of this, there is:
    • $17.2 billion over 10 years for a Provincial Territorial Stream, of which $5 billion over three years is dedicated for a Health Infrastructure Fund.
    • $6.0 billion over 10 years for a Direct Delivery Stream to support regionally significant projects, large building retrofits, climate adaptation, and community infrastructure; and
    • $27.8 billion over 10 years, with $3 billion statutory ongoing for a rebranded Canada Community Building Fund known as the Community Stream.
  • The Direct Delivery and Provincial and Territorial streams should adhere to Buy Canada requirements and prioritize projects that use Canadian materials. For both streams, project selection should also consider factors related to the use of unionized labour and Community Employment Benefits agreements.

Build Canada Homes

  • As previously announced and confirmed in Budget 2025, the government has launched Build Canada Homes (BCH) with an initial $13 billion over five years.
    • Budget 2025 proposes to introduce legislation establishing a statutory appropriation of up to $11.5 billion to defray costs related to BCH, and a statutory appropriation of up to $1.5 billion to capitalise Canada Lands Company to support construction on properties held by the corporation.

Other measures

  • Increase the capitalization threshold of the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) from $35 billion to $45 billion and enable the CIB to make investments in any nation-building projects that have been referred to the Major Projects Office.
  • Increase the Canada Mortgage Bond annual issuance limit from $60 billion to $80 billion to unlock access to cost-effective mortgage funding for lenders. The increase would apply exclusively to multi-unit housing.
  • Amend the National Housing Act and the Protection of Residential Mortgage Act or Hypothecary Insurance Act to increase Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's guarantees in force limit to $1 trillion and decouple this limit from the corporation's insurance in force limit and to increase the protected limit for mortgage or hypothecary loans to $500 billion.
  • Provide $2.8 billion for urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing, such that, on balance, over $3 billion is available for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to advance their housing priorities.

Supplementary Estimates (B) 2025-2026

Issue / question

What is the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio seeking in the 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B)?

Suggested response

  • The Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio remains committed to delivering $16.3 billion in funding for programs that support housing, public transit, major infrastructure projects as well as green, rural and northern infrastructure across the country.
  • The portfolio is seeking a net increase of $220.7 million in the 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates B, representing an increase of 1.4% over Main Estimates.
  • This net increase stems primarily from a realignment of unused funds of $208.1 million from previous fiscal years and made available in 2025-26. This funding is required to meet project obligations and commitments to provinces, territories, municipalities and other recipients, to achieve program targets.
  • The net increase also stems from new funding of $12.7 million to continue to advance select Green and Inclusive Community Buildings projects.

Background

  • As part of the 2025-26 Supplementary Estimates (B), the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio is seeking a net increase in funding of $220.7 million.
  • $12.6 million to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), for the following items:
    • New funding of $12.7 million as announced in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement for priority projects under the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program. Total funding will be $19.6 million over three fiscal years (2025-26 to 2027-28).
    • Through the Supplementary Estimates B, HICC is also transferring:
      • $0.1 million from Contribution funding to Grant funding for the following two Grants to allow HICC to enter into and finalize agreements planned for 2025-26:
        • Natural Infrastructure Fund; and
        • Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
      • $40,000 to the National Research Council Canada to support the digital platform for tracking, monitoring, and reporting of embodied carbon in construction.
      • $65,000 to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to support a study on the use of low-embodied carbon designs and construction materials, and their cost impacts on construction projects in Canada.
  • $101.1 million to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, for the following items:
    • Realignment of unused funds of $74.1 million from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the Co-operative Housing Development Program.
    • Realignment of unused funds of $15.9 million from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the construction and operation of the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative for Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
    • Realignment of unused funds of $4.3 million from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the Apartment Construction Loan Program with the creation of stable rental housing units for middle-class Canadians.
    • Realignment of unused funds of $3.8 million from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the Canada Housing Benefit for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence with direct housing assistance aligned with the National Plan to end gender-based violence.
    • Realignment of unused funds of $2.4 million from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the Housing Accelerator Fund in ensuring the program meets its objectives.
    • Realignment of unused funds of $733,000 from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to support the Canada Greener Homes Loan program with addressing rising interest costs and potential defaults.
  • $107.0 million to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority for the realignment of unused funds from 2024-25 made available in 2025-26 to have sufficient funding for the construction phase close-out and opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

Buy Canadian

Issue / question

What is the Government of Canada doing to ensure that its investments in housing and infrastructure are supporting Canadian businesses?

Suggested response

  • This government is acting to protect, build, and transform our economy with a comprehensive suite of measures including a new Buy Canadian policy to prioritize domestic suppliers and Canadian materials.
  • The policy will be comprehensive – not only direct purchasing, but efforts extended to the breadth of federal investments and the activities of Crown corporations.
  • Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Build Canada Homes and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, along with the new Build Communities Strong Fund announced in Budget 2025, will support this policy by maximizing the impact of federal investments, strengthening Canada's economic competitiveness, creating good jobs for Canadian workers, and delivering lasting prosperity for businesses across the country.

Background

  • Global supply chain disruptions and shifting markets are redefining how countries grow their economies. In response, the Government of Canada is developing a comprehensive industrial strategy to strengthen domestic capabilities, build Canadian expertise, and help industries pivot to new markets and opportunities.
  • Early actions included the One Canadian Economy Act and Interim Policy on Reciprocal procurement. Within the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio, action has included:
    • Emphasizing the importance of maximizing economic benefits for Canadian industries in letters of Approval in Principle for infrastructure projects funded under direct delivery programs. Letters to successful applicants encourage funding recipients to consider prioritizing Canadian materials when undertaking infrastructure investments.
    • Letters have been sent to portfolio organizations to emphasize the importance of applying Buy Canadian approaches.
  • On September 5, 2025, the Government of Canada announced a series of measures to protect the Canadian economy and support Canadian workers and businesses, making us more resilient to changes in global trade.
  • The announcement also included a comprehensive Buy Canadian policy. Public Services and Procurement Canada has developed a policy suite to implement Buy Canadian for federal procurement; Treasury Board of Canada is putting in place measures to extend Buy Canadian to grants and contributions and to Crown corporations.
  • Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada is collaborating with other federal departments to develop an implementation approach. This includes the activities of its portfolio Crown corporations: Canada Infrastructure Bank, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Canada Lands Company Limited.
  • Budget 2025 reinforced the federal government’s commitment to a comprehensive Buy Canadian Policy, moving from best efforts to a clear obligation to buy Canadian. Work to develop these measures remains ongoing and will be phased in. The main sector focus is on steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber.

PBO Report on Build Canada Homes

Issue / question

What is your response to the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s recent report on Build Canada Homes?

Suggested response

  • Build Canada Homes (BCH) is not a program. It is a completely different way to build affordable housing for Canadians.
  • By combining flexible financial tools, including low-interest loans, equity investments, contributions and guarantees, land access and development expertise under one roof, it will make large-scale, mixed-market developments financially viable, attract private capital and safeguard long-term affordability.
  • BCH will act as a catalyst for an entirely new housing industry, something that sets it apart from anything done previously.
  • While BCH will leverage federal lands for affordable housing, it will also attract funding from other governments, non-profits, industry, and investors.
  • The PBO report recognizes that BCH will support a unit count several times greater than 26,000, when funding from partners is taken into account.

Background

  • The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released a report titled “Build Canada Homes and the Outlook for Housing Programs under Budget 2025” on December 2, 2025, following the PBO’s study of an information request to Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) earlier in fall 2025 on Build Canada Homes.
  • Key findings of the PBO report are:
    • Estimated federal spending on housing programs is set to decline 56% from $9.8 billion in 2025-26 to $4.3 billion in 2028-29 across all programs (BCH, CMHC, HICC, Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada). The decline is primarily due to cuts and sunsetting of programs from the existing National Housing Strategy.
    • Taking into account the role of funding partners, the PBO estimates that BCH’s financing function would support the creation of nearly 87,000 units.
    • The PBO report estimates BCH will create 26,000 units over five years, 13,000 of which will be affordable to low-income households, noting that this corresponds to a “modest contribution to housing supply and affordability”.
      • Specifically, the developer function of BCH is estimated to create approximately 8,000 new units, including 1,600 affordable units.
      • The financing function, estimated to provide $5.4 billion in grants and contributions, will support about 14,000 new units, with more than half that are affordable to very low- and low-income households.
      • The funding for Transitional and Supportive Housing ($1 billion) is estimated to allow the creation of about 3,700 units.
    • The PBO report does not account for BCH’s role of crowding in funding from other governments, non-profits, industry and investors, which is a key component of BCH’s ability to increase the supply of affordable housing.
  • Build Canada Homes will partner with private sector developers on mixed-market housing developments that combine affordable rental with market units. This approach will help unlock new sources of private capital and create more housing supply.
  • Build Canada Homes is part of a broader set of measures by the federal government to double the rate of housing construction, restore affordability and reduce homelessness. These include:
    • Working with provinces and municipalities to help remove local barriers to building new supply.
    • Reducing the burden of development charges.
    • Supporting essential infrastructure through programs like the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) and Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).
    • Introducing new tax measures that will incentivize the construction of purpose-built rental housing to help make more housing projects economically viable across the country.
    • Contributing to the well-being of Canada’s housing system through existing programs such as the Apartment Construction Loan Program and Mortgage Loan Insurance products delivered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
  • Additionally, ministerial responsibility for Canada Lands Company has been transferred to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. This move enables Build Canada Homes to leverage Canada Lands Company’s land holdings, real estate development expertise, and strong relationships with municipalities, builders, not-for-profits, and Indigenous communities to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing across the country.
  • Launched in 2017, the National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $115+ billion plan to give more people in Canada a place to call home. Many investments under the NHS are set to expire in 2028.

Illegal Labour in Federal Infrastructure Projects

Issue / question

Please comment on the alleged use of illegal foreign labour in infrastructure projects.

Suggested response

  • All of our funding recipients are required to follow the law.
  • This government is prioritizing the creation of good paying jobs as a result of federal investments in infrastructure.
  • For example, Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada uses language in certain funding agreements requiring recipients to respect labour legislation and to not engage in unfair labour practices.
  • Going forward, this government is working on ways to encourage recipients of the Build Communities Strong Fund to use unionized labour and to adopt employment practices that reflect the diversity of the communities in which they are located.
  • The federal government is committed to working closely with provinces, territories, municipalities, and other project proponents to ensure that Canadian workers benefit from federal infrastructure investments.

Background

  • Although unconfirmed, there have been reports (e.g., from the MP for Edmonton West, and Building Trades Alberta) that illegal foreign labour is being employed in infrastructure projects supported under federal programming, undermining the market for Canadian workers, and leaving foreign workers vulnerable to exploitation. As such, there is interest in knowing whether projects funded by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), as well as its portfolio, contain provisions obliging funding recipients to follow all labour laws and to not use illegal foreign labour.
  • Certain HICC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation contribution agreements include language on respecting labour legislation and/or not engaging in unfair labour practices.
  • In addition, certain HICC programs (i.e., Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program; Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund; Smart Cities Challenge; Natural Infrastructure Fund; and Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program) have implemented the Community Employment Benefits initiative (i.e., a framework for establishing project targets and reporting on results related to employment and/or procurement opportunities for specific target groups, including apprentices, Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, Veterans, youth, recent immigrants, small-sized enterprises, medium-sized enterprises, and social enterprises).
  • Further, Budget 2025 announced the new Build Communities Strong Fund, and project selection under that Fund will consider factors such as the use of unionized labour, and use of Community Employment Benefits agreements.
  • The federal government will work with provinces, territories, municipalities, and other project proponents to operationalize these initiatives, to ensure that federal infrastructure investment results in well-paid jobs for Canadians.
  • Immigrants account for approximately 23% of workers in construction. Temporary foreign workers account for approximately 2.1% of construction workers, mainly arriving through the Temporary Foreign Worker program or the International Mobility Program.
  • In 2025, the Government of Canada introduced a new permanent residence pathway for up to 6,000 out-of-status construction workers, building on a previous pilot program from 2020-2024 limited to the Greater Toronto Area that granted approximately 1,365 construction workers and their dependents permanent residence status.

Neha Review Panel Report

Issue / question

How will the Government of Canada respond to the Neha review panel’s assertion that Canada is not fulfilling the conditions to realize the right to housing in an inclusive, gender-responsive, and human rights-based manner?

Suggested response

  • This government is reviewing the Neha review panel’s recommendations closely and will provide a formal response to the report.
  • The important work undertaken by the Neha review panel highlights the persistent housing challenges faced by women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people.
  • This government recognizes that housing is essential to people’s dignity, well-being, and to building sustainable and inclusive communities. It is firmly committed to advancing the fundamental right to adequate housing, and to taking concrete steps to achieve it, as outlined in the National Housing Strategy Act.

Background

  • On November 25, 2025, the Neha review panel published its final report titled “We are human. We deserve a place to live. It’s that simple”. The Neha review panel examined the right to safe, adequate, and affordable housing for women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people, and the government’s duty to uphold this right. It concluded that Canada is not fulfilling all conditions required to realize the right to housing in a manner that is inclusive, gender-sensitive, and consistent with human rights obligations.
  • The Neha report includes six overarching recommendations:
    1. transform Canada’s colonial housing system to uphold the right to housing for Indigenous peoples;
    2. fund and equip community-led organizations to house and support their members;
    3. provide inclusive emergency and transitional supports for diverse women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people facing violence and homelessness, while committing to permanent housing;
    4. fulfill the right to affordable housing and an adequate standard of living for diverse women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people;
    5. establish human rights-based standards across jurisdictions; and
    6. reduce the use of costly institutional systems by increasing access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing for women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people across the life cycle.
  • Pursuant to the National Housing Strategy Act (NHS Act), the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure must respond within 120 days and table the response in Parliament within the following 30 days.
  • The NHS Act allows the Federal Housing Advocate (Advocate) to request that the National Housing Council (Council) examine a systemic housing issue, establish a review panel to hold a hearing on the issue and set out findings and recommendations in a report to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
  • In 2023, the Advocate requested the Council establish a review panel on the failure to prevent and eliminate homelessness among women and gender-diverse people, particularly Indigenous women, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse people.
  • In 2024, the Council appointed the Neha review panel, which defined its scope as the right to safe, adequate and affordable housing for women, Two Spirit, Trans, and gender-diverse people, and the government's duty to uphold this right.
  • The Neha review panel engaged more than 500 individuals, including those experiencing housing challenges, and from community-led organizations. It also requested submissions from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Women and Gender Equality Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the members of Provincial-Territorial Forum on Housing. HICC provided its submission in 2025.

Report of the Federal Housing Advocate on Encampments in Southern Ontario

Issue / question

In a December 2025 report, the Federal Housing Advocate calls for permanent federal investments in human-rights based approaches to encampments.

Suggested response

  • Through Reaching Home, this government is taking a leadership role to prevent and reduce homelessness, including unsheltered homelessness and encampments. The program is investing $5 billion over nine years to support coordinated, evidence-based community responses.
  • The $250 million Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative is supporting the deployment of Community Encampment Response Plans that take a human-rights based approach to the increase in unsheltered homelessness and encampments.
  • Build Canada Homes will help fight homelessness by delivering affordable housing options that serve diverse needs and remain affordable over the long-term, and by building transitional and supportive housing.

Background

  • The report details the findings from the Federal Housing Advocate’s (FHA) tour of Waterloo Region, London, Hamilton, and Toronto in September 2025, and focuses on the federal Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI) to date:
    • Contributions that the UHEI has made, including supporting outreach expansion, provision of temporary housing pods, and shelter construction;
    • Perception that the two-year funding profile and a lack of sustained operating funds hinder long-term planning;
    • Concern that resources did not match the scale of the crisis.
  • The report recommends:
    • Expanded, sustained federal investments;
    • An end to forced evictions and criminalization of homelessness;
    • An end to coercive measures that force a choice between encampments and inadequate housing;
    • Integration of housing and health care;
    • Culturally-appropriate Indigenous programs and supports;
    • A response to gender-based and systemic violence;
    • Strategies and resources to respond to extreme weather year-round;
    • Protection and empowerment of community organizations; and
    • Funding to protect the right to adequate housing for refugee claimants.
  • The UHEI supports human-rights and housing first-based approaches to unsheltered homelessness and encampments. It is short-term funding to support a sustainable Community Encampment Response Plan. In its first year, the UHEI placed 323 individuals into more stable housing, provided core prevention services to 2,543 people, and created 51 additional spaces through added beds.
  • Launched in 2019 as part of the National Housing Strategy, Reaching Home is a $5 billion investment over nine years, through 2027-28. It supports communities in preventing and reducing homelessness locally and can support activities that address several of the issues raised in the FHA’s recommendations. Since 2019, Reaching Home has delivered:
    • $170 million to support 523 projects that include people living in encampments as a target population;
    • $1 billion to support 3,325 projects that include Indigenous Peoples as a target population;
    • $430 million to support 1,581 projects that include people fleeing domestic violence as a target population;
    • $225 million to support 778 projects that include refugees/refugee claimants as a target population.

Note: Multiple target populations may be selected for a single project.


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