Week in Review: November 21, 2025

mlmiller15
3 days ago
4 min read

Here’s a roundup of housing news and issues that we noticed this week:

From ECOHH’s social media

Canadian Centre for Housing Rights has reviewed the recent federal budget in relation to housing security
In advance of National Housing Day tomorrow, November 22, the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights has reviewed hits and misses with housing in Canada over the past year
Ahead of National Housing Day tomorrow, the Federal Housing Advocate has issued a statement
ECOHH is a part of the SHHR coalition:
- The Social Housing and Human Rights coalition (SHHR) had high hopes for the 2025 federal budget. Prime Minister Carney’s promise of a “once in a generation" budget fails to commit to the level of investment in housing that Canada needs most - investment in social housing to ensure that low-income renters have access to homes that rent at no more than 30% of gross household income.
- Prime Minister Carney’s new “Build Canada Homes” agency is said to focus “primarily on non-market housing, supporting a mix of income needs as part of a national effort to double housing construction, restore affordability, and reduce homelessness.” Budget 2025 re-announces $13 billion to Build Canada Homes. Less than $1 billion of that is planned for 2025-26, with the remainder to slowly roll out over 5- years. It also isn’t clear how much of this will be allocated to the “deeply affordable” housing the government promises.
- The only commitment to public housing appears to be with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, which the government says it will partner with to build over 700 affordable and supportive housing units. SHHR would like to see a stronger commitment to investing in social housing through both the public and non-profit sector. The budget commitment of $1 billion to build transitional and supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, presumably also over 5-years, is nowhere near enough to respond to the crisis we are now in.
- SHHR continues to urge the federal government to commit to targets and timelines that ensure housing for low-income renters is a priority.
- We call on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Housing to fulfill their legal obligation to realize the human right to housing and:
- 1. Create a minimum of 50,000 net new rent-geared-to-income social housing units each year for 10 years, starting now. These units should be targeted for those experiencing core housing need and homelessness and have rents permanently set at no more than 30% of household income.
- 2. Invest in the acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance of new and existing public, non-profit, and cooperative-owned housing that meets the unique and varied requirements of people experiencing core housing need and homelessness.
FRAPRU is one of the most active housing rights advocacy in Canada. Here's a look at their activity around National Housing Day. But in Edmonton you can also show up for the need to build MUCH MORE social housing- 12 noon Saturday at the north area of the Legislature plaza. More info at www.ecohh.ca
German idea to provide hygiene opportunities for those who are homeless
New report: Banks and the housing crisis
Heather McPherson, one of the candidates for leadership of the federal NDP, has released a housing policy
If you are unsure of the location of the Housing Day rally on November 22, here is some direction to the site, just south of 99 Avenue between 108 and 107 Streets, at front of Queen Elizabeth II Building
The Alberta government has an on-line survey available to offer input about the next provincial budget. There are many opportunities in it to respond to questions by supporting need for more spending for social housing and improved social services. There is also opportunity for organizations to make their own written submissions.