In this section, you can:

1. Find the latest news and information on the campaign to get a national, affordable housing strategy.

2. Get the development resources you need and practical information about funding new development. Also profiles of recent projects.

3. ONPHA is tracking the development initiatives being taken by the local Service Managers in our Affordable Initiatives Online Database

In 1993, Canada cancelled its social housing program. In 1995, the Province of Ontario followed suit. Our federal and provincial governments were relying on the private market to meet the demand for new affordable housing. However, dramatic shortages of vacant rental housing grew along with the increasing homeless rate. By 2002, Canada was the only G-7 nation without a national, affordable housing strategy.

The federal and Ontario governments announced details of a new funding program for affordable housing on Dec. 6, 2002. On Feb. 26, 2004, the new McGuinty Government announced its approvals of approximately 2,300 units already recommended by municipalities in the fall of 2003 under the previous government’s guidelines (only $2,000 per unit from the Province).

On April 29, 2005, the Province signed a revised Affordable Housing agreement with the Federal government, committing to 15,000 new units and 5,000 rent supplements.

The Federal Budget passed in June of 2005 included another $1.6 billion (nationally, over 2 years) for affordable housing, thanks to the NDP/Liberal Accord. A National Housing Strategy of Framework is on the Federal Government's 2005 agenda.

The fight for more affordable housing

ONPHA, along with municipal organizations, faith groups, anti-poverty organizations and housing coalitions, is pressing both the federal and provincial government to do their part to create more affordable housing.

• Learn what you can do to fight for more affordable housing.
• Get resources, including the Where's Home Series, other research, and online housing information.
• Link to related organizations now working for more affordable housing.
• Visit Housing Again

Housing initiatives

In the meantime, many non-profit housing providers are working hard to get housing on the ground, cobbling together funding from many sources. With the announcement of the new program, we hope to see more non-profit housing developmnet. This section includes:

• Check out the "Yes, in my Backyard" Tool Kit for handling NIMBY.
• resources for non–profits interested in developing new affordable and supportive housing
• a directory of funding sources that might be used to create non-profit housing in Ontario
• Securing Mortage Financing for Affordable Housing
• profiles of new development initiatives
• links to organizations that promote new affordable housing development.