The latest developments in housing policy from across Canada:
NATIONAL
- Federal government announces updates to National Housing Strategy programs and additional housing initiatives
The federal government announced changes to two key National Housing Strategy (NHS) programs. Updates to the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which supports affordable housing development and repairs, include program extension, two sub-streams for new construction for those in greatest need and for community housing, and prioritization of repair projects supporting accessibility and energy efficiency. Updates to the Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP), which supports rental housing construction, include program extension, expanded eligibility for student and seniors housing, and removal of minimum accessibility and energy efficiency requirements. The federal government also announced new initiatives aimed at lowering housing costs, including consultations on the financialization of single-family homes.
The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association welcomed changes to the AHF, while calling for further program extension. See CCHR’s analysis of the effectiveness of NHS spending through the AHF and ACLP..
- Green Party tables motion for consistent definition of affordable housing
Green Party MP Mike Morrice introduced a motion calling for the federal government to adopt a consistent definition of affordable housing to ensure its housing programs effectively meet targets to reduce housing need and homelessness. Currently, federal housing programs use a variety of both market- and income-based definitions of affordable housing, which has failed to produce a sufficient stock of affordable housing for people in greatest housing need. The motion calls for a uniform definition of deeply affordable housing for very low and low-income families, and another definition for moderate and median-income families. The motion aligns with calls from housing advocates and researchers across the country for a consistent definition of affordable housing. - Competition Bureau launches investigation of rent price-fixing by Canadian landlords
Following calls from renters, advocates, and the federal NDP, the Competition Bureau of Canada quietly launched an investigation into allegations of collusion and rent price-fixing by Canadian landlords. The allegations involve the use of YieldStar, an artificial intelligence software that allegedly allows landlords to use algorithms to coordinate rent increases using proprietary rental data. This summer, the United States Department of Justice launched a lawsuit against RealPage, the company that owns YieldStar. Meanwhile, a proposed class-action lawsuit is seeking compensation from over a dozen Canadian landlords accused of using YieldStar. Likely because of these investigations and legal actions, some landlords have announced that they are no longer using YieldStar.
PROVINCIAL / TERRITORIAL
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Housing advocates call for ban on no-fault evictions, and other government actions to address housing instability and homelessness
Tent City for Change in St. John’s are calling on the Newfoundland and Labrador government to ban no-fault evictions, which they say discriminate against renters, especially racialized and other marginalized renters, and lead to increasing rates of housing insecurity and homelessness. NDP Leader Jim Dunn agreed that ending no-fault evictions could help provide more stability for renters, and called for additional renter protections, including rent regulation and rent banks, alongside additional investments in non-market, community housing. Meanwhile, End Homelessness St. John’s released a community plan outlining actions needed by all levels of government to address homelessness in the city, including by coordinating efforts to build more affordable housing and provide greater supports to people in housing need.
Ontario
- Ontario is exploring allowing credit bureaus access to eviction orders for renters with history of rent arrears
The Ontario government recently passed new legislation aimed at reducing red tape, including addressing backlogs at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Among the new measures is a proposal to allow credit bureaus to gain access to LTB orders of renters who have missed rent payments. CCHR shared our concerns about this approach, which would undermine the right to housing for renters, perpetuate poverty, and disproportionally impact marginalized renters. Meanwhile, renter advocates report much longer wait times for renter applications at the LTB than for landlords, especially for landlord applications for non-payment of rent.
Quebec
- Quebec expected to face high rent inflation next year, while rental tribunal sees influx of applications
A recent report from Desjardins estimates that Quebec will experience high rent increases next year, while rent inflation is expected to slow elsewhere in the country. FRAPRU cites ineffective enforcement of rent control, including the lack of a rent registry, and an insufficient stock of social housing as key contributing factors. Meanwhile, applications to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), Quebec’s rental tribunal, have increased by more than 40 per cent over the past two years, with the majority of applications filed by landlords. Renter advocates note the TAL tends to favour landlords over renters, including landlord applications for unpaid rent, with few opportunities for renters to share context about the conditions of their rental units. For its part, the Société d’habitation du Québec launched a new campaign to inform renters and landlords of their housing rights and responsibilities.
Manitoba
- Manitoba government joins advocates calling for federal support to build more social housing
Manitoba’s Right to Housing Coalition was joined by Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, as part of a national action coordinated by the Social Housing and Human Rights coalition, calling for greater federal investment in social housing. The national coalition is advocating for a minimum of 50,000 new rent-geared-to-income housing units over the next 10 years for people experiencing core housing need and homelessness, alongside greater investment in non-market housing acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance. The Manitoba coalition is calling for at least 10,000 social housing units over the next decade, noting that of the 2,000 rental units built under recent federal programs, only 253 are affordable for renters with the lowest incomes.
Alberta
- Auditor general report reveals Alberta lacks information and plans for affordable housing maintenance
A recent report from Alberta’s auditor general found that the government lacks information on the state of its affordable housing stock and does not have standards or plans for its maintenance. To ensure the sustainability and safety of the units, the report recommends that the province compile an accurate list of necessary repairs and develop a maintenance plan according to need. The government says work is underway to address unit maintenance, including a request for proposals to develop a long-term affordable housing maintenance strategy and $121 million over three years. That funding will support maintenance in 4,250 units this year, while the province owns roughly 27,000 affordable housing units.
MUNICIPAL / LOCAL
- Whitehorse considers regulating short-term rentals
Following a series of consultations, the City of Whitehorse is considering developing a regulatory framework to manage short-term rentals (STR), which is supported by housing advocates and organizations. Currently, Whitehorse does not have any regulations around STR operation but estimates that regulations could help address the city’s low 1.8 per cent rental vacancy rate and affordability challenges. Potential policy options under consideration include requiring STR operators to obtain a business license, restricting the number of STRs in residential neighbourhoods, limiting the number of days an STR could be available, and imposing primary residence requirements on STR operators. Recent research in British Columbia and Ontario found that STR regulations corresponded with decreases in rent prices.