THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN HOUSING IN CANADA

THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE In Canada, as in most countries, the government is involved in many aspects of housing. For example, governments provide: laws for the buying and selling of property charge taxes on homeowners to pay for community services provide funding for housing.

HISTORICAL ROLE In the earliest North American settlements few regulations affected housing. Towns expanded as more people needed homes Laws did not restrict where houses could be built No one checked whether the houses built were safe No funding was provided for housing

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation is Canada’s national housing organization Established as a government-owned corporation in 1946 to address Canada’s post-war housing shortage CMHC works to enhance Canada's housing finance options, assist Canadians who cannot afford housing in the private market, improve building standards and housing construction, provide policymakers with the information and analysis they need to sustain a vibrant housing market in Canada.

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE The ministry works to strengthen Ontario communities by promoting a housing market that: serves the full range of housing needs protects tenants and encourages private sector building supporting the creation of affordable housing for working families and Ontario’s most vulnerable households. *These responsibilities vary by province

RESPONSIBILITIES BY PROVINCE

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT’S ROLE The city of Toronto provides: Providing Emergency Shelters Providing support for the homeless Creating and administering Bylaws Providing and maintaining social housing Zoning Long-term care communities Eviction prevention Tenant advice and legal clinics

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING Supportive housing assists people who may have difficulty finding and acquiring housing, specifically for individuals who may belong to one of the following groups: Aboriginal HIV/Aids Newcomers Post-Incarceration Seniors Women Youth