4. Implement a housing benefit – a new program to assist those who face a severe affordability problem in their current accommodation

The Green Party supports a housing benefit as part of an overhauled financial assistance framework that they have termed “Guaranteed Liveable Income (GIL)”. Rather than just implementing a housing benefit, when asked for details they point to more “transformative approach that is discussed in Renewing Canada’s Social Architecture” which states: “Unlike income support programs that are available to anyone who qualifies, the limited supply of subsidized housing leads to long wait lists and inconsistent, inequitable treatment. A shift to an income-side approach to assisting people who can’t afford decent housing would allow policymakers to turn this issue on its head. An income-tested housing benefit model could ultimately be part of a streamlined and integrated income support program such as a Guaranteed Annual Income model.”

The Green Party’s GIL proposal is to combine various federal and provincial/territorial income support programs such disability, Old Age Supplement, Working Income Tax Benefit, social assistance, Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canadian Child Tax Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement. It would “provide a regular payment to every Canadian, at a level above the poverty line, to meet Canadians’ basic needs, including housing. A GLI would empower those living in poverty and free service providers to focus on the root causes of inequality.”  Once income reaches a certain level it would begin to be taxed back. The Green Party states that they recognize that this will take time to implement and intend to institute other solutions on an interim basis. 

“Many people of the B.C. lower mainland are struggling to find an appropriate place to live. In my riding of Burnaby North – Seymour, the price of low and middle-income housing is already out of reach for too many people…The leading cause of homelessness is poverty.  I believe that every Canadian deserves to have a place to call home, which is why I will be a strong advocate for the Green Party’s Guaranteed Livable Income plan in the next minority Parliament,” Green Party candidate Lynne Quarmby. 

5. Create an affordable housing tax credit

The Green Party supports the development of a low income housing tax credit that will be distributed through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). They also support a dramatic increase subsidies for social housing and will “will offer dedicated funding to non-profit housing organizations and cooperatives, and subsidies, tax cuts, credits, and incentives for the construction and investment in affordable housing, including gifts of land.”

They also would like to establish “the Canadian equivalent of the American Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation to create new partnerships among government, private capital, social entrepreneurs, and the public. One outcome of such collaboration would be the provision of long-term funds for a broad range of nongovernmental agencies (like the Mental Health Commission), which deliver targeted social services.”

6. Review and expand investment in Aboriginal housing both on and off reserve

In the Green Party’s National Housing Strategy proposal they indicate that it needs to include a First Nations Plan. Responding to a follow-up question from COH, the Greens stated “We must do more to improve nation to nation relations with aboriginal communities. Housing continues to be one of the major challenges facing First Nations. On reserve there are often decade-long waiting lists, substandard housing, couch surfing and limited to no housing for singles and elders. Overcrowding is six times higher on reserve than off reserve. The Green Party supports the Assembly of First Nations’ call for over 80 000 new homes for First Nations. In addition, a housing strategy is essential for on-and-off-reserve Aboriginal people and the rapidly growing urban First Nations homeless population.

We need a comprehensive plan for First Nations housing developed by First Nations communities. As Green Candidate in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, former elected Chief of the Quatsino First Nation, has said: "I heard over and over again from people who are homeless that it was not necessarily the food and housing they needed most. There was a deep spiritual desire for cultural connections. It goes to the essence of who we are as Indigenous people. To feel rooted, you have to have a sense of your community and history.’” 

This aligns significantly with the COH’s recommendation on Aboriginal housing and homelessness needs. The Green Party focuses on “First Nations” communities as opposed to Aboriginal Peoples, however this is a common error made by many Canadians when talking about Indigenous issues. While First Nations communities are primarily impacted by the reservation system, other Aboriginal populations such as Inuit and Métis are also affected by the homelessness and housing crisis.