The place where we grow up, spend our lives, and grow older deeply affects our health and our opportunities in life. A national housing strategy is a route to better living conditions and improved health outcomes for all Canadians. A wave of recent research has documented the essential role of housing in health, and in solutions to homelessness.
The Government has taken steps to give everyone a more equal chance to succeed and improve Canadians’ quality of life, with the Canada Child Benefit and the augmented Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors. While income transfers and social services are vital, specific actions are needed on housing. Many people need help to obtain housing of decent quality, find housing options outside disadvantaged neighbourhoods, and bridge the gap between low incomes and high rents. In this way, affordable housing is essential in poverty reduction.