Public housing in Canada

rdf:langString Public housing in Canada

rdf:langString Public housing policies in Canada includes rent controls, as well as subsidized interest rates and grants. Early public housing policy in Canada consisted of public-private lending schemes which focused on expanding home ownership among the middle class. The first major housing initiative in Canada was the Dominion Housing Act of 1935, which increased the amount of credit available for mortgage loans. In 1938 the DHA was replaced with the National Housing Act. In 1945 the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation was established with the mandate the NHA. In 1954 a National Housing Act amendment led to the creation of government-insured mortgage institutions, which sought to make loans more accessible for low income and rural households. During the 1970s several policies were implemented which focused more heavily on inexpensive rental accommodations, including the Assisted Rental Program and Canada Rental Supply Program. Following changing policies and budget cuts in 1993, responsibility for housing transferred from federal to provincial, municipal, and local jurisdictions. Originally conceived as rent-geared-to-income housing for low and moderate income families that would eventually transition to market housing, public housing eventually became relegated to households in greatest need because of limited supply and changing community attitudes. High incidences of drug use, violence, and theft have been reported within many public housing communities in Canada. Low levels of academic achievement and high levels of teenage pregnancy have also been reported among the youth population of Canadian public housing units.