[homeles_ot-l] Federal Budget 2017: Supporting Housing and Solutions to Homelessness

[Mike Bulthuis]

*Federal Budget 2017: New Investments in Housing and Solutions to
Homelessness *

*As many of you know, the federal government yesterday tabled its Budget
2017. With a commitment to developing and delivering a National Housing
Strategy, the Budget delivered funding to support the continued development
and delivery of various components. Today, many are referring to housing as
"the single largest commitment in Budget 2017," with an $11.2 billion
spending plan for various components
<https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/03/22/Housing-Commitment-Budget/> (from The
Tyee).*

   - Among its highlights, the long-term nature of many of these components
   - including an 11-year timeline for a renewed and expanded Homelessness
   Partnering Strategy - is significant, helping us as a community to plan for
   the long-term, effective strategies that can reduce and end homelessness.
   Further details will be unveiled later in the year - after being developed,
   in part, through consultations and the work of an advisory panel.
   - The Government also significantly enhanced a program (the Surplus
   Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative), wherein surplus federal
   lands can be utilized - at low-cost to community partners - in order to
   achieve housing and homelessness-related goals. This funding envelope could
   help unlock properties at low-cost - and sets a wonderful example for the
   provincial and municipal government.
   - Finally, in addition to new funding, including housing dollars towards
   new federal / provincial / territorial agreements, and the creation of a
   National Housing Fund, the Government also committed to preserving baseline
   funding for expiring operating agreements.

*In addition to the Tyee article linked above, there is much commentary
already available, including: *

   - Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness: CAEH Statement on Budget 2017
   "An important and welcome step in the right direction"
   <http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3ab6441cec1986db191b15a35&id=b6d0f9b0fb&e=07bf64bc54>
   - Canadian Housing and Renewal Association: CHRA Applauds Social and
   Affordable Housing Announcements in Budget 2017
   <http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=198979fc27672dbfc65fa7c28&id=602c6c6d2b&e=e86fca839a>
   - CBC Ottawa: Greater role for feds in social housing
   <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/federal-budget-social-housing-1.4035655>
   - Jordan Press (Canadian Press): Liberal budget details $11.2B in
   affordable housing, plus push for private cash
   <http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2017/03/22/liberal-budget-details-11-2b-in-affordable-housing-plus-push-for-private-cash/#.WNOlXDvytPY>
   - National Housing Collaborative: National Housing Collaborative
   welcomes federal budget 2017
   <http://nhc-cpl.ca/en/national-housing-collaborative-welcomes-federal-budget-2017/>

Onwards!
Mike.

-- 
*Mike Bulthuis*
Executive Director

*Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa*
171 George Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5W5
Office: 613-241-1573 x 314 <(613)%20241-1573>
Mobile: 613-222-9831 <(613)%20222-9831>
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