Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to increase the supply of housing in Canada.
Central to that work, the Government of Canada launched Build Canada Homes, which will help increase the pace of affordable homebuilding to increase housing supply. Build Canada Homes will also help fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing — working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It will build deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partner with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.
As part of the Government of Canada’s broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, work is being done across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada. To that end the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing.
Today, the federal government, along with the Province of Nova Scotia announced over $6.4 million in combined funding to help build 47 secure, rental and ownership homes in Amherst. This innovative project combines shared-equity homeownership with rental housing, serving as a model for future initiatives in the area. Through the shared-equity model, United Way will retain partial ownership of each home to ensure long-term affordability in perpetuity. The River Philip Foundation’s initial investment will strategically leverage funding from all levels of government, helping ensure the success of this pilot project.
The announcement was made by Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside the Honourable John White, Minister of Housing and MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion, and Rob Small, mayor of the Town of Amherst.
The past year has revealed there are limits to Canada’s economic independence. Budget 2025 is tackling that challenge head on. It is our plan to take control and build the future we want for ourselves. It is our plan to Build Canada Strong.
