Habitat for Humanity Canada (HFHC) is launching National Housing Day on November 22nd to put a focus on housing issues in Canada. Their website reports that 3.5 million Canadians do not currently “have a safe, decent and affordable place to live.” They also state that, of all the G8 countries, Canada is the only one that has not developed a national housing strategy.
Timmins proved its awareness of local housing issues when it prioritized the Housing project as part of Timmins 2020. The City will soon be considering whether or not to approve funding for a housing study, which would give community groups and leaders the data needed to attract investment from housing developers. The consultants will be making that presentation to council on November 26. The Housing project will eventually result in a local strategy for Timmins, showing that Timmins is ahead of the federal government in its strategizing to resolve housing issues.
HFHC is currently asking Canadians to help support their national cause by signing their platform to lobby the Canadian government to develop a national housing strategy. While Timmins is taking the right steps locally, changes need to take place at a federal level as well.
