(NC) While much of the attention in Canada around affordable housing has been focused on the urban areas of Toronto and Vancouver, affordable housing is a growing crisis across the country, including rural and urban communities in every province and territory.
There are too many people in Canada who do not have access to safe and decent housing. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it — here are three ways you can support affordable housing:
1. Make your voice heard. Affordable housing is an issue that all levels of government need to make a priority in order to effect change. Call your local MP, MPP, mayor or councillor. Tell them why affordable housing is important to you, and ask them what they are doing about it.
2. Volunteer with your local Habitat. Habitat for Humanity’s model of affordable homeownership helps build a family’s financial independence and stability. There are 56 local organizations working in every province and territory to give people a hand up through affordable homeownership. You can volunteer at your local Habitat ReStore. You can also help build a home for a family — this year, the organization is building 150 homes to mark Canada’s 150th.
3. Share your reason to build. To mark Canada’s 150th, Habitat for Humanity Canada is building 150 homes. Help raise awareness about the need for affordable housing in your community. Share your reason and use the hashtag #150reasonstobuild.
Find more information online at habitat.ca/150reasonstobuild.