Veritas Media’s Post

Wise advice from Ontario’s Big City Mayors that many of us hope is heeded. With national level challenges faced in our communities, local governments must have the public resources required. An unprecedented top to bottom housing crisis and rising health and homelessness pressures on communities and businesses are two such challenges that we cannot fail to meet together. Good advice from the mayors and senior municipal leadership that are already on the front lines, fighting for those most in need and those ready but unable to invest their futures in our communities.

The government's critical window of opportunity to support its most vulnerable citizens facing deepening housing and cost-of-living crises is now. In our Federal Pre-Budget submission to Treasury for 2024-25, we have outlined key asks to address the housing crisis: - Fund a bold and credible National Housing and Homelessness Plan - Double the Housing Australia Future Fund to at least $20 billion - Fund wrap-around supports to improve long-term housing outcomes - Review of all tax settings that affect housing supply and affordability - Deliver an immediate increase to specialist homelessness services to meet demand Scroll to view or read our full submission including cost-of-living measures here: https://lnkd.in/gkrnPcnR Like and repost to show your support! #housingcrisis #costoflivingcrisis #budget2024 #auspol

High impact Budget We are seeing record demand for homelessness services and support. We welcome Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's 2024-25 budget as an "unprecedented intervention in the housing market" by the NSW government. Harnessing underutilized public land will inject 21,000 homes into the housing sector, with 8,400 homes allocated for public housing. The impact of having a safe, affordable and permanent home cannot be understated. This funding is a legacy investment in the people of NSW. #nswbudget #socialhousing

May ushered in some significant housing policy developments. We’ve distilled what you need to know. Highlights include:   • The National Housing Council’s Review Panel on the Financialization of Purpose-Built Rental Housing released a new report. • Halifax advocates demand a ban on fixed-term leases. • The City of Ottawa takes first step to pass a long-overdue renoviction bylaw.  • Quebec housing minister tables bill putting three-year pause on certain evictions.  • Housing incentive program would require Winnipeg developers to offer subsidized units.  • The Government of British Columbia steps in to prevent a summer homelessness crisis. • Homelessness survivors call for reform at BC legislature. Read our full news round-up: https://lnkd.in/eVBuc8SX

❗❗ Action alert!! ❗❗ Governor Newsom's proposed budget would drastically cut affordable housing funding in #california by $1.2 billion: 🚫 Elimination of the enhanced State Low Income Housing Tax Credit program for 2024-2025 #lihtc 🐾 Clawback of funds from the Multifamily Housing Program (MHP), Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (IIG), Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP) totaling $500MM 📉 Dramatic reductions and cuts across the board in other rental, homeownership, and homelessness programs Voters agree - housing is one of our state's most pressing challenges. With so many housing developments ready to break ground and relieve the housing crisis, now is not the time to cut these vital programs. ➡➡ It's not over yet - join our coalition of #affordablehousing and #homelessness advocates to push for the restoration of housing funding in the revised budget! https://lnkd.in/gAVnb4iH

It's pleasing to hear that a national housing and homelessness agreement has been settled for five years. However, without knowing the full details yet, it's hard to comment further. We need to understand what the commitments are for outcomes, prevention, crisis response, and state and territory investment. I'm not convinced there is genuine new investment. Nevertheless, the commitment's security is very much appreciated. We note the commitments to crisis and transitional housing. But we urge the Federal Government to invest more into preventive programs and housing first models of care. It’s critical that crisis and transitional housing is connected to a pathway of permanency in the future. The one billion dollars allocated to states and territories for housing-related infrastructure is critical. Building new homes requires funding services to activate those sites. How this money will be distributed is yet to be seen, and it will be a competitive pot of funding. Lots still to unpack, we look forward to reviewing the budget papers on Tuesday. #housing #homelessness #federalbudget https://lnkd.in/gcYA3b4V

As homelessness reaches record levels across the country, the federal government is building their updated housing strategy and 2024 Budget. This is the last Budget where meaningful change can happen before the next election.   Let's send a message so big they can't ignore us and put pressure on the government to make the changes needed to fix the housing crisis and end homelessness in Canada. Send a message now and let's Build a Better Budget for Housing in Canada: https://loom.ly/mKZUq-o

While Budget 2024 introduced some investments to tackle homelessness, a new report shows that Canada would still need to spend an additional $3.5 billion each year to reach the goal of reducing chronic homelessness by 50%. 💡Canada needs to urgently strengthen its human rights approach to housing. We will continue to advocate with the federal government to prioritize funds for those in greatest housing need. ➡️Read report: https://loom.ly/Kw8HKTU ➡️Follow our work: https://loom.ly/r_0bWY4 #Right2Housing #Cdnpoli

Following the Budget announcement, it's crucial to address homelessness, a challenge we all face. Increased budget provisions for council initiatives and temporary housing subsidies are steps forward, easing financial burdens and enabling essential shelter provision. Furthermore, boosting Discretionary Housing Payments by £100m is a key preventive effort against homelessness. We must advocate for substantial investment in services, vital after years of underfunding, to achieve sustainable housing solutions. This is an investment in our collective future—to move towards a society where homelessness is a thing of the past. Let's discuss how we can progress together. #EndHomelessness #Budget2023 #HousingCrisis

Sigh. The federal budget was a disappointment. It failed to make the investment needed to deal with the housing and homelessness crisis. Don’t get me wrong the investment in the NT was a step in the right direction. But everywhere else the budget fell far short. The HAFF and changes to the NHIF are insufficient to deal with social housing waiting lists hundreds of thousands long. We need courageous investment after decades of neglect. The “increases” to homelessness funding are more a slight of hand rather than any meaningful increase at least in NSW. They barley keep pace with inflation. There was nothing for prevention other than a measly $9.40 a week for those that had maxed out on Commonwealth Rent Assistance. A boost to Jobseeker would have saved thousands from becoming homeless. What next? Where one level of government has failed others need to step up. Governments, like NSW, need to deliver budgets that can give their citizens safe, secure and affordable homes. Hundreds and thousands of us are demanding they be the adults in the room and fix this mess we’re in.