November 22, 2023
Today is National Housing Day – an important day to elevate the great significance of housing as a human right.
As the national association of professional planners, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) urges all levels of government to leverage their creativity and authority in creating equitable, innovative, and forward-thinking solutions.
We must increase the supply of housing to ensure adequate housing options and services for all ages, abilities, and social groups. This is especially important with increasing costs of living and the significant factor that housing contributes to household budgets.
CIP was encouraged to see new investments laid out in yesterday’s Fall Economic Statement for more rental housing and $1 billion for the Affordable Housing Fund, as well as actions taken to reduce labour mobility barriers for skilled tradespeople. Investments like these, as well as the Housing Accelerator Fund, are important measures in addressing the housing supply gap. But there is much more to do—including ensuring adequate federal funding for housing and community-related infrastructure—and planners are committed to results.
We encourage you to explore the Spring 2023 issue of Plan Canada to learn more about the planning profession’s role in finding housing solutions.