Close the Housing Gap Hits Parliament Hill

By Penny Munoz

Pressing the demands of the Close the Housing Gap campaign, over 100 social housing tenants, stakeholders and politicians from Toronto and Ottawa rallied on Parliament Hill to persuade the federal government to contribute “1/3 fair share” of the $2.6 billion needed for capital repairs.

Having recently adopted the campaign, the municipal government of Toronto committed to a long-term, 10 year plan that will provide $864 million for Toronto Community Housing (TCH) repairs. At Parliament Hill, representatives called on the federal government to take greater responsibility over social housing matters to make costs more affordable across Ontario.

"This sends a strong message to the federal government that people expect it to step up, not step back, when it comes to investing in social housing," said Councillor Ana Bailão (Ward 18 Davenport), co-chair of the Housing Gap campaign. "We intend to deliver the same message to Queen's Park as we continue to gain momentum and support.”

With approximately 164,000 residents in some of the TCH’s 58,500 homes, the budget simply does not allow for all the necessary repairs. Putting People First recognizes the rights of the residents of these homes which include children, families, seniors and people with special housing needs. Members of the campaign gathered on Parliament Hill to remind federal and provincial governments that it is their responsibility to ensure that current housing needs for people dependent on social housing are met.

“Clean, safe housing is what allows families and communities to thrive. But unless all levels of government come to the table, we will not be able to tackle the billions of dollars in repairs our aging buildings need,” said Gene Jones, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing. “We are calling on Ottawa to partner with us, because it’s time we all worked together to ensure affordable housing remains the foundation of our vibrant communities.”

Recommendations for helpful governmental action is outlined in the Putting People First document, including adopting a sustainable national housing strategy and intergovernmental cooperation to negotiate a new social housing agreement.

"The federal government has to get back involved in affordable housing for Canadians," said Doris Power, a Toronto Community Housing resident with a disability. "Low-income people and people with disabilities need housing that is affordable and housing that is accessible."

Toronto representatives who are members of the campaign participated at Parliament Hill yesterday to remind provincial and federal governments that social housing has always been dependent on policies and programs supported by them. Therefore, every level of government must make a commitment to Canadians to help fund repairs and maintain these homes. The campaign is an effort to re-engage federal and provincial governments and work together to promote sustainability in social housing through a long-term plan.