The official communiqué from the federal provincial and territorial housing ministers is little more than a collective pat on the back. The Ministers met Friday, December 4, in Gatineau for their first national housing summit since 2005. With a record 1.5 million Canadian households in core housing need, and another two million living in substandard […]
Housing
Ontario set to announce high-powered panel to produce welfare roadmap
The Ontario government is set to appoint a high-powered panel later today to provide a detailed roadmap for welfare reform in Ontario, according to a report in The Toronto Star. The panel includes Colette Murphy of the Metcalf Foundation, a member of the Wellesley Institute board of directors; plus Gail Nyberg and Michael Oliphant of […]
Continue ReadingOntario set to announce high-powered panel to produce welfare roadmap
Many millions lack healthy, adequate homes: United Nations releases new statement on international right to housing
Many millions of people around the world live in housing that threatens their lives and their health – including an estimated 1.5 million households in “core housing need” across Canada. Adequate housing has been a key part of
New national report confirms poverty is killing Canadians, underlines urgent need for health equity
Poverty is cutting almost eight years off the average life expectancy of Canadian men, and almost five years from women. Only half of the poorest men in Canada can expect to life until 75, while three-quarters of the richest men will reach that age. These are among the grim findings in new research from Statistics […]
Reality check: Ontario gives housing dollars with one hand, takes away with other
Reality check: Ontario is indeed matching the 2009 federal affordable housing investments, as housing minister Jim Watson notes in a story in today’s Toronto Star (“Nearly homeless struggle to hang on“), but the province has also been steadily cutting spending at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing since 2005. Finance minister Dwight Duncan, […]
Continue ReadingReality check: Ontario gives housing dollars with one hand, takes away with other
Powerful day on Parliament Hill: National housing plan inches closer to reality
A dynamic afternoon of testimony today from a series of expert witnesses (including the Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott, has helped moved Bill C-304 – the draft legislation that sets out a process to create a new national affordable housing strategy – a step closer to reality.
Continue ReadingPowerful day on Parliament Hill: National housing plan inches closer to reality
Parliament should pass Bill C-304; Canada urgently needs national housing plan
The time is right for Parliament to pass Bill C-304, which directs the federal housing minister to consult widely and develop a national affordable housing plan within 180 days. The Wellesley Institute’s Michael Shapcott offered expert testimony at the Commons HUMA committee on Nov. 5 on the four key reasons for a comprehensive national housing […]
Continue ReadingParliament should pass Bill C-304; Canada urgently needs national housing plan
Vision 2020: Foundation for a comprehensive Ontario housing plan
Ontario’s affordable housing plan needs to be built on a foundation that includes solid targets and timelines, and co-ordinates housing and homelessness initiatives of federal, provincial and municipal governments;
Continue ReadingVision 2020: Foundation for a comprehensive Ontario housing plan
Ontario health ministry advises homeless people with flu to "stay home"
Astonishing! The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care has just released a new guide for shelter providers and has this advice for people who are homeless and forced to live in homeless shelters: “Stay home from work when experiencing influenza symptoms”! Pardon me, but the shelter is “home” for people who have no where else […]
Continue ReadingOntario health ministry advises homeless people with flu to "stay home"
Ontario government gives housing dollars with one hand, takes away more with the other
The Ontario government is helping households across the province cope with deep and persistent housing insecurity and homelessness by making a big 7% ($52.1 million) cut to spending at the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, according to the province’s fall economic account. Over the past four years, MAH has seen its annual operating […]