RESOLUTION 4: Stabilize rental assistance

SUBMITTED BY: Windmill Line Co-operative Homes

CONTACT: Urge Urgessa
Windmill Line Co-operative Homes
125 Scadding Avenue, 10th floor
Toronto, ON M5A 4H8
Tel: 416-550-0303
Email: urgeurgessa@gmail.com

WE RESOLVE:

1. THAT CHF Canada call on the federal government to extend the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI) beyond 2028, and to make long-term rental assistance a permanent component of federal funding for housing nationwide;
2. THAT CHF Canada promote to all federal parties the value of the co-op housing model in addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing;
3. THAT CHF Canada call on provincial and territorial governments to extend rental assistance relevant for co-op members;
4. AND THAT CHF Canada work with local communities, members, regional federations, and other sector partners to build support for these goals.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

1. CHF Canada members supported advocacy for long-term rental assistance as a priority for CHF Canada’s core activities and communications in Resolution 1 at the 2021 AGM.
2. Long-term rental assistance is crucial to provide affordability and security for low-income co-op members over the long term and regardless of where they live. Long-term rental assistance will help realize housing as a human right.
3. FCHI-2 is set to expire on March 31, 2028 – less than five years from now. Advocacy to secure a program of permanent funding for rental assistance to keep co-ops sustainable must be undertaken urgently. FCHI-2 is available to housing co-ops in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island.
4. Housing co-ops in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut must access rental assistance programs through their provincial or territorial government. Advocacy to secure a program of permanent funding for rental assistance must be undertaken.
5. Advocacy with all federal parties, not only with the current government, is needed. As governments change over time, CHF Canada must continue to present co-op housing as a solution to the housing crisis affecting communities across Canada.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Funding for CHF Canada’s government relations and lobbying activities is included in current 2023 and 2024 operating budgets.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS ( X ) SUPPORT ( ) NON-SUPPORT ( ) NEUTRAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS:
The CHF Canada Board of Directors supports this resolution unanimously.
It is important that co-ops are mixed-income communities and remain affordable for low- and middle-income households for the long-term. The Board appreciates the leadership of Windmill Line Co-op for putting this resolution forward.
The Resolution Committee discussed this resolution with Windmill Line Co-op and offered to add provincial rental assistance in addition to FCHI-2, so that this resolution is applicable for members across the country.