Freeland props up Canadian Housing Benefit with federal funding

The Government of Canada has announced it will inject nearly $200 million into housing support programs for low-income renters and shelters nationwide.

The money will be split, with $100 million going towards emergency winter funding for shelters and another $99 million going towards the Canadian Housing Benefit.

The Canada Housing Benefit program provides low-income renters with a one-time, tax-free payment of $500. To qualify, individuals must make less than $20,000 or $35,000 for families and can apply through their online CRA account.

The program was established in 2020 to offset surging costs. This recent top-up brings the federal government’s contribution to the program to $325 million.

The last time Canadians could to apply for the benefit was between December 2022 and March 2023.

Another $100 million will be sent to 85 different communities across the country in an effort to provide more spaces for people experiencing homelessness, according to the Department of Finance Canada.

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Shelters will be able to use the money to offer temporary rental assistance and provide more warming spaces and meals to those struggling to get by.

The news comes on the heels of another recent housing top-up from the federal government. Last week, the government said it would invest $362.4 million into the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP), a program that provides resources to asylum seekers from around the world who come to Canada seeking protection from violence, war and persecution.

“Our government is fighting for Canadians every day — and our economic plan is building an economy that works for everyone,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. “We are delivering more rent support to low-income Canadians, providing more shelter spaces to those who need it most, and fighting corporate greed to deliver lower prices for Canadians.”

Last month’s rent report from Rentals.ca listed Burlington as Canada’s 6th most expensive city to rent in. In December, the average renter in Burlington paid $2,211 a month.

For Hamilton, that number was slightly lower at $1,825. Brantford’s average rent was at about $1,704 a month. Residents in Niagara Falls were paying $1,636 and in St. Catharines the average was $1,593.

If you find yourself struggling to get by, you can use the Benefits Finder tool on the government’s website to parse a long list of government programs that are there to help by clicking here.

Supports go beyond just housing and include coverage for things like injury, dental coverage, student aid and more.