B.C. MPs urged to speak up to fix co-op housing crunch in Budget 2016

VANCOUVER, March 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Naomi and Karen need a little help to keep their homes affordable. So they're urging their MPs to speak up for co-op housing in the stretch run to Budget 2016. The two Lower Mainland women are among the 4,000 vulnerable, low-income British Columbians who face an uncertain future as the rent support that makes their housing affordable disappears. Those households are made up of people like them: seniors, people with disabilities, single parents and others on low or fixed incomes. Many of those households are at risk of homelessness unless something is done now.

That's why Naomi is hoping her MP, Justice Minister Jody Raybould-Wilson, will speak with Finance Minister Bill Morneau in advance of March 22's budget. And Delta resident Karen is asking Carla Qualtrough (Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities) to do the same.

The Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) is proposing a solution to this crisis that threatens the homes of Naomi, Karen and thousands of people like them.  CHF BC's "You Hold the Key" campaign is working with a coalition of partners to convince the federal and provincial governments to deliver a rent supplement program for these most vulnerable households now.

We've put together a package featuring two co-op members who are all too familiar with the co-op housing crunch and are determined to find a solution to this affordable housing crisis. You'll find stories, photographs and audio/video clips along with a short backgrounder with facts and figures to illustrate the crisis.

Naomi and Karen are available for interviews by request via CHF BC. Our Executive Director, Thom Armstrong is also available for comment.

SOURCE Co-operative Housing Federation of BC

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Don Hauka, Campaign Co-ordinator, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, Cell: 604-787-9155, Email: [email protected] OR Fiona Jackson, Communications Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]