HALIFAX,
NS, July 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
federal and Nova Scotia
governments announced an enhancement to the Canada Housing Benefit
(CHB) to provide rental assistance for survivors of gender-based
violence. The federal government is investing $11.3 over the next four years and this will be
matched by Nova Scotia.
The announcement was made by Darren
Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole
Harbour, and Lena Metlege
Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, alongside the
Honourable Jill Balser, provincial Minister of Labour, Skills and
Immigration and the Minister responsible for the Advisory Council
on the Status of Women.
This enhancement to the CHB will help survivors of gender-based
violence, including women, children and 2SLGBTQI+ people find a
safe and affordable place to call home. Itis expected to support
over 2,600 households.
Nova Scotia is the third
province in Canada to co-design a
program under the Canada Housing Benefit meant for survivors of
gender-based violence, which provides a flat rate based on family
composition in the first year of the benefit. This recognizes that
individuals exiting violence may be experiencing financial abuse or
face barriers to accessing other types of benefits because of
complex family situations.
The CHB for survivors of gender-based violence will follow the
same terms and conditions as the existing CHB. While this funding
is specifically for survivors of gender-based violence, provinces
and territories will have the flexibility to use their
cost-matching to support ending gender-based violence or other
priorities and programs to assist this vulnerable population with
direct-to-household affordability assistance.
The benefit amount is determined based on family size and
average regional rental rates. Funding will be provided to eligible
applicants on a referral basis.
Quotes:
"The federal government has invested more than $4 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit to
provide direct assistance to households in need. However, housing
affordability can still be a barrier for many people experiencing
violence from seeking a safe place to live, which is why we are
partnering with Provinces and Territories to enhance the Housing
Benefit. With this additional funding we are partnering with
Nova Scotia to lend a hand to
those who have experienced gender-based violence, including women,
children and 2SLGBTQI+ people, find a safe and affordable
place to call home." – Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for
Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
"All levels of government have a responsibility to uplift and
support the most vulnerable residents in our communities. With this
enhancement to the Canada Housing Benefit, we will help an
estimated 2,600 households afford safe, secure places to call home
through direct financial support. For families and individuals that
have experienced gender-based violence, this benefit will be a
lifeline that supports their autonomy and helps them put the
difficult moments they have lived behind them." –
Lena Metlege Diab, Member of
Parliament for Halifax West
"No one should live in fear. We want survivors of gender-based
violence to know supports are available and they have options. We
hope this benefit will help survivors find a place to call home
where they can build their lives in safety." - Jill Balser, Minister responsible for the Status
of Women on behalf of John Lohr,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"The lack of affordable and safe housing options remains a major
barrier preventing women from escaping abusive relationships. In
Nova Scotia, where women report
higher rates of intimate partner violence than in other provinces,
this new benefit is a crucial first step towards providing victims
and survivors with the resources they need to find safe and stable
housing during one of the most challenging times in their lives."
- Ann de Ste Croix, Transition
House Association of Nova
Scotia
"Bryony House applauds the newly announced targeted housing
benefit for survivors of gender-based violence. This benefit
represents a crucial step in addressing the broader challenges
faced by survivors at a critical time. This initiative will
significantly aid those we assist in their transition out of the
shelter and into housing. We look forward to seeing the positive
impact it will have on our community." -
Monika Hintz, Executive Director,
Halifax Transition House Association, Bryony House Shelter
Quick facts:
- The federal government announced in November 2017 that it would invest $2 billion in a new Canada Housing Benefit
(CHB) as part of the National Housing Strategy (NHS).
Provinces and territories (PTs) are cost-matching this funding for
a total $4 billion investment over
eight years, starting in 2020-21.
- The CHB aims to reduce housing need for some of Canada's most vulnerable by providing funding
directly to households in need to help them afford their housing
costs.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) worked with PTs
to create 13 CHB initiatives, one for each jurisdiction. These
initiatives were co-developed based on a series of federal themes
and are tailored to prioritize populations that are in housing need
in each jurisdiction. PTs are delivering the CHB in their
jurisdictions.
- The CHB for survivors of gender-based violence (SGBV) is an
enhancement to the already existing CHB.
- Budget 2021 included an additional $315.4 million over seven years for the CHB to
provide financial assistance for low-income women and children
fleeing violence. However, the landscape of violence prevention has
shifted since then with the introduction and subsequent endorsement
and support of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based
Violence (Action Plan) in November
2022.
- The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence defines
gender-based violence as that which is "based on gender norms and
unequal power dynamics, perpetrated against someone based on their
gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. It
may take many forms, including physical, economic, sexual, as well
as emotional (psychological) abuse." This may include intimate
partner violence and human trafficking.
- The NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal,
provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement
with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and
organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This
includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and
people with lived experience of housing need.
Additional Information:
- Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of
Canada housing information.
- CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and
financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need,
and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of
Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim
is that everyone in Canada has a
home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more
information, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
- Visit National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence to
learn more about the plan.
SOURCE Government of Canada