Federal government plans to lease public lands for construction through new housing strategy

10 hours agoThe Liberal government released its strategy to build 3.9 million homes in the next seven years, dubbed the Canadian Housing Plan.

Several initiatives listed in Canada's Housing Plan are projects the government has already announced, such as the elimination of income tax deductions for expenses incurred for short-term rentals that contravene provincial or municipal regulations.

On April 4, Trudeau previewed some of the housing commitments in Budget 2024, saying $1.5 billion would go toward helping non-profit organizations acquire rental units and keep them affordable.

The Liberals' housing strategy depends in part on co-operation from provinces and territories, some of which have already pushed back on the federal government over what they argue is jurisdictional overreach.

In addition to setting aside $1 billion over four years for the Reaching Home program — a federal homelessness initiative — the government will allocate $250 million to help end encampments and transition people into housing.

Quebec, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick were unhappy with Ottawa's decision to make access to new infrastructure money contingent on a set of conditions, including legalizing fourplexes.