The federal government has released a new statement regarding ongoing negotiations with provinces and territories to address homelessness and encampments. Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Sean Fraser provided an update on the progress made since his initial offer in a statement issued on September 18, 2024, which sought partnerships to secure additional shelter spaces for those living in encampments.
The federal government proposed a cost-sharing arrangement, using the allocated $250 million as outlined in Budget 2024, to match contributions from provincial and territorial governments.
The funding is specifically aimed at addressing encampments and unsheltered homelessness, and is intended to complement existing federal programs like Reaching Home, which has committed $5 billion over nine years to reduce homelessness, and other initiatives under the National Housing Strategy. The government hopes to leverage these funds with provincial support, potentially creating a $500 million pool to expand shelter spaces and transitional housing across the country.
In a statement on October 22, 2024, Fraser noted that several provinces have not yet formally responded to the offer, including Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. In response to this lack of formal engagement, the federal government has begun approaching municipalities in these provinces directly. Fraser outlined plans to prioritize five cities—Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Regina, and Saskatoon—based on their readiness to implement cost-shared programs aimed at addressing encampments. He also stated that additional municipalities may be approached in the coming months.
The new federal funds build on broader investments already underway through multiple housing initiatives. These include the Reaching Home program, the Affordable Housing Fund, the Co-operative Housing Development Program, and the Housing Accelerator Fund, all designed to increase the availability of affordable and supportive housing across Canada.
The federal government’s position remains that collaboration between all levels of government is necessary. They have expressed a continued commitment to working with provinces, territories, and municipalities willing to partner in these efforts.