Today, one in four Canadian households is paying more than it can afford for housing – or more than the recommended limit of 30 percent of income.

One in eight households cannot find affordable housing that is safe, suitable, and well maintained. Without affordable housing, many Canadians simply cannot make ends meet. It makes it harder to look for work, care for children, or to get and keep a job. Stable, decent housing is essential to a strong economy, and is crucial for the middle class and those working hard to join it. Far too many Canadians are being priced out of home ownership. This places increased pressure on already crowded rental markets, and on crumbling affordable housing units.