Dear Canadian Members of Parliment & Senators
We the undersigned ask you our member of parliment for your support for Bill C-304, a framework for a national housing strategy.
Canada is the only G8 country without a national housing program. Despite welcomed dollars committed by this government, federal budgets show that tens of millions of dollars are left unspent while 1.5 million Canadian households remain in core housing need.
The Peterborough area has been singled out as the region with the greatest core housing need in all of Canada. This is a hidden housing crisis that is crippling our local community economically and socially.
The Conference Board of Canada reports that lack of adequate, affordable housing is actually costing Canadians and indirectly drives up the cost of health care and social programs.
What does Bill C-304 really do?
-Provides for planning and accountability at all levels of government.
-Brings all levels of government and key stakeholders to the table to develop and implement a plan to address housing and homelessness across Canada.
-Recognizes existing federal/provincial housing agreements.
-Provides a framework for action to addresses in a concrete way, housing affordability, adequacy, safety and homelessness.
Over 20 local organizations support Bill C-304 including the Affordable Housing Action Committee, The Poverty Reduction Network, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & District, St Vincent De Paul, and the YWCA.
We hope we can count on your support for adequate, affordable housing and vote yes to Bill C-304.