VANCOUVER – New Democrat housing critic Jenny Kwan released the following statement on National Housing Day:

“National Housing Day is an important day to recognize the integral role played by secure and affordable housing in the health and well-being of Canadians. Launched by the federal government in 1998, National Housing Day was originally developed to encourage nation-wide action on homelessness and issues related to housing security.

“Despite this call 15 years ago, Canada has not reinstated its national affordable housing strategy. As a result, many Canadians remain vulnerable to the negative effects of poverty and the threat of homelessness. There is no question that safe, secure and affordable housing is the foundation to the well-being of every individual and their community.

“In British Columbia, the Auditor General’s report entitled Homelessness: Clear Focus Needed, states:

‘We expected government to have an understanding of the causes and patterns of homelessness and to be aware of where key gaps in programs and services existed. Instead, we found that government lacks a clear profile of the homeless population.’ (p.8)

“Canada is the only G8 country in the world that has failed to establish a national housing strategy. Housing affordability is a challenge in every community across British Columbia.

“Recent homeless counts have stated that as much as one quarter of the homeless population at one time was in care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. A recent Vancouver Foundation report highlighted that the graduation rate for youth in care is less than 20 per cent in B.C. We see some post-secondary institutions taking steps to help support kids in care as they transition to adulthood, but the B.C. Liberal government has failed to step up to the plate by offering additional supports as other provincial governments have done.

“Additionally, over the next 25 years about $140 million a year in federal subsidies in the non-profit housing sector will expire in agreements throughout B.C., impacting 60,000 rent-geared to income units. Another 14,500 units in co-operative housing will also be at risk. Without federal and provincial action, tens of thousands of individuals and families may be at risk of homelessness.

“Today on National Housing Day, please join me in calling for a commitment from both the federal and provincial governments to ensure that no rent-geared to income units will be lost and the same level of affordability of these units will be safeguarded. We have the ability to avert a crisis; the question is whether we have the political will to act.”