A safe, secure and prosperous Canada begins at home

Housing coalition’s new blueprint includes concrete actions aimed at bolstering all parts of the housing continuum

Economic uncertainty created by a burgeoning trade dispute will worsen affordability for Canadians, putting homeownership further out of reach at a time when families are already struggling to find a safe and affordable place to call home.

In response, Habitat Canada has come together with The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH), the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) to release a housing blueprint that will help build resiliency in Canada’s housing system.

Canada’ housing system is vulnerable to external shocks, and the systems that make up the foundation of our housing system are fragile – including our supply chains, our workforce, and our regulatory landscape. At Habitat, we are supported by generous volunteers and donors, but aren’t immune to the economic pressure faced by all housing developers.

"Tariffs will significantly disrupt the economy and the supply chains necessary for building affordable homes, putting additional strain on families already facing housing insecurity. We must work together to counteract the effects of these tariffs so we can continue to bring safe, affordable homeownership within reach for all Canadians.”

Pedro Barata, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada

There are measures Canada can take today that will future-proof our housing sector, including the work we do at Habitat.

This includes:

• Investing boldly in community housing, including Habitat’s affordable homeownership program
  

• Ensuring our tax systems – like the GST and other fees and charges we pay – aren’t creating unnecessary barriers to building

• Creating a housing skills agenda for Canada that prioritizes training, through programs like our Every Youth Initiative, and re-skilling workers into housing trades and easing credential recognition

• Scaling up innovative solutions like modular and factory-built housing, which can help deliver more homes at lower costs despite rising material prices

• Investing in domestic manufacturing of key housing materials so we aren’t reliant on imports that can be disrupted by tariffs, and reducing any interprovincial trading barriers

A Sovereign Plan to Protect Canadians and Build a Resilient Housing System is bold and ambitious. But the need is urgent. By acting today, we can provide the Canadian economy with a strong foundation, and Canadian families with the fundamental security of a home.