National co-op housing meeting calls for accountability in housing spending

LONDON, ON, June 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Delegates to the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada's annual meeting in London, Ontario passed a resolution today calling on all levels of government to work together to help almost 4 million Canadians living in core housing need.

More than 700 representatives from housing co-ops across Canada gathered today at the London Convention Centre to help find ways to create more affordable housing.

Housing co-ops also called on governments to look at ways to maintain the affordability and security of existing co-operative housing as agreements with government are set to end in the next several years.

"Those of us who live in housing co-ops know what a difference having a safe, affordable home has made for our families and communities," said CHF Canada president Ken Elliott. "But we know that millions of other Canadians are still looking for a decent home they can afford."

A definition of "core housing need" is housing that needs major repairs, lacks adequate facilities, is overcrowded or costs more than 30 percent of a household's before-tax income. According to CHF Canada's Dunning Report - Dimensions of Core Housing Need in Canada, released late last year, close to four million Canadians live in core housing need. And there are worrisome signs that this number is growing dramatically.

"There has been no change over five years in the number of Canadians living in core housing need," said CHF Canada executive director Nicholas Gazzard. "There are troubling signs that the staggering number - nearly 1.5 million Canadian households - will grow if federal housing investments are not directed to creating new affordable housing, including non-profit housing co-operatives."

CHF Canada is the national voice of the Canadian co-operative housing movement. Its members include nearly 900 non-profit housing co-operatives and other organizations across Canada. More than a quarter of a million Canadians live in housing co-ops, in every province and territory.

For further information: Scott Jackson, Program Manager, National Communications, 778-227-3864 (cell), [email protected]