National Housing Strategy (Bill C-304)

Bill C-304, an Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing, is a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Libby Davies, NDP MP for the riding of Vancouver East.

The bill calls for a national housing strategy to ensure that the cost of housing in Canada does not prevent individuals and families from meeting other basic needs, including food, clothing and access to education. The housing strategy would reflect the needs of local communities, through consultation with the provinces and territories, Aboriginal communities and groups representing people directly affected by homelessness.

ACTO co-organized a demonstration in Toronto outside the Ministry of Housing in support of Bill C304. ACTO is also a partner in the Red Tent campaign which is a national campaign to end homelessness initiated by Pivot Legal Society and dozens of other organizations across Canada who believe the time to end homelessness is now. Bill C304 was not voted on prior to the 2011 federal election being called, so the legislation will have to be re-introduced once a new government is formed. ACTO will continue to press the federal government to adopt legislation that would guarantee a right to housing by creating a national housing strategy.

For more information on how you can support Bill C304 see: www.redtents.org