Draft national legislation to create a comprehensive housing plan for Canada – Bill C-304 – is scheduled to go back to the Commons for the start of third (and final) reading debate on October 20. The bill, proposed by Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, was passed on first and second reading with the support of the New Democratic Party, Liberal Party and Bloc Quebecois, plus one Conservative MP. Canada hasn’t had a national housing plan since the 1990s. The Wellesley Institute’s new report, Precarious Housing in Canada, documents the state of housing insecurity in Canada, and underlines the urgent need for a federal housing plan. Leading national groups are urging Parliament to adopt C-304 at third reading, and the Wellesley Institute offered expert advice to a Commons committee last winter during its detailed review of the draft legislation.
News
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Aug. 26, 2010
National housing plan bill (C-304) set for final debate starting Oct. 20
By: Wellesley Institute
On: Aug. 16, 2010
Precarious Housing in Canada (2010)
Precarious Housing in Canada (2010) is a powerful, new research and policy report from the Wellesley Institute. Using the most comprehensive and current data, research and analysis, Read the rest of this entry »
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jul. 26, 2010
New housing blueprint for UK released by Chartered Institute of Housing
The UK Chartered Institute of Housing has released Housing Pact: Making the Case for Housing - a blueprint for Britain. The pact sets out a series of key priorities, including investing in hew affordable homes; preserving and improving existing homes; supporting the housing needs of seniors; building housing solutions from the community up (“localism”); breaking down silos among governmental housing and community initiatives; protecting the environment; and tackling poverty. Canadian housing and homelessness advocates have been pressing for similar priorities in a new national housing strategy for this country.
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jul. 8, 2010
Statistics Canada’s ‘long census’ vital research, policy tool: On-line petition
The federal government is planning to do away with the mandatory ‘long census’ form, mainly because some people complain that it is an invasion of privacy, according to Industry Minister Tony Clement. One-fifth of Canadians have been required to fill out this longer questionnaire as part of the national census every five years, and the rich and statistically significant information is vital to a range of research and policy initiatives. For instance, the Wellesley Institute is using data from the long form to populate our dynamic new Wellesley Urban Health Model, that is designed to help communities navigate to better health outcomes. Read the rest of this entry »
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jun. 22, 2010
Obama administration pledges to end homelessness in US in a decade
The Obama administration released earlier today a 74-page, detailed strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness in the United States, with specific targets, timelines and accountability for results. The US plan stands in sharp contrast to the Canadian federal government’s national homelessness initiative, which is a patchwork of funding and initiatives that barely covers 61 communities and lacks specific goals. Stay tuned, I’m in Washington and will post more details on the US plan shortly.
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jun. 20, 2010
Commissioner of Housing Equity needed for TCHC tenants: Justice LeSage
Toronto Community Housing Company should create an independent Commissioner of Housing Equity to ensure that tenants facing eviction receive a fair process. That’s one of the key recommendations from the LeSage Review, which was appointed to inquire into the death of Al Gosling, a TCHC tenant who died after being evicted from the City of Toronto’s housing provider. Read the rest of this entry »
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jun. 18, 2010
New video captures energy and spirit of UforChange
The energy and spirit of the youth of UforChange is captured in a new video that has been released initially as a picture edit. UforChange is a dynamic, arts-based youth-centred training and employment initiative that has grown out of Toronto’s St James Town neighbourhood. Almost 50 youth are the first graduating class and more than 100 youth are being recruited in the second cohort. The Wellesley Institute is proud to be lead agency in a community-based collaboration that launched UforChange.
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jun. 15, 2010
US set to unveil national strategic plan to end homelessness as Canada dithers
On Tuesday, June 22, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness will unveil Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Federal agencies will use the plan to develop programs and policies to reduce and end homelessness. The national homelessness plan is the latest in a series of housing and homelessness policies from the Obama administration that includes $1 billion to capitalize the US National Housing Trust Fund. Read the rest of this entry »
By: Michael Shapcott
On: Jun. 15, 2010
Ontario delays launch of provincial affordable housing strategy
The Ontario government promised last year, during its six-month province-wide consultation, that it would release its Long-term Affordable Housing Strategy by the spring of 2010. With just days remaining until the end of spring, a senior official in the office of the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has confirmed that the the province will miss its own deadline. Read the rest of this entry »
By: Wellesley Institute
On: Jun. 15, 2010
Ontario Social Assistance Review Advisory Council Report Released
The province urgently requires a more effective system of income security programs that meet the needs of Ontarians in a rapidly shifting economy, says a new report by the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC).
Appointed by the government of Ontario, the Council was mandated to recommend a scope and terms of reference for a review of Ontario’s social assistance system. In a report released today, it outlines a consultation process focusing on six key strategies that would transform the delivery of income security programs, employment supports and related services for low-income working age adults. Read the rest of this entry »
