On November 13th, the co‑operative housing sector received a positive signal from Prime Minister Trudeau when he made public the mandate letters to his new cabinet. Mandate letters provide Ministers with the Prime Minister’s expectations of priorities.

In the mandate letter sent to Minister Jean-Yves Duclos (pictured below), who holds responsibility for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), where affordable housing policy is situated, the Prime Minister stated his expectation that rent-geared-to-income subsidies to co‑op housing members be maintained. CHF BC is hopeful this will translate quickly into more assistance for low-income housing co‑op residents who need help to keep their homes affordable. The federal funding agreements which currently ensure subsidies are available to more than 20,000 low-income households who live in housing co‑ops are ending.CHF BC looks forward to working closely with Minister Duclos, federal officials and CHF Canada to understand the specifics behind this important commitment, and supporting the Minister in seeing it implemented most effectively for housing co‑operatives. This commitment will make a very real difference in the lives of low-income individuals and families right across Canada.