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# Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit supports rental housing affordability

Joint news release with the Government of Canada.

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why the Government of Canada partnered with the Government of Yukon to provide additional support to hundreds of low-income households across the territory between now and 2027.

Today, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Ahmed Hussen, along with Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost, announced the Canada-Yukon Housing benefit, a direct to household benefit program which will help low to moderate income Yukoners in rental housing who cannot afford rent for a home that meets their needs. The program includes $9.1 million of new federal funding, combined with a mix of territorial cost matching, for a total of $18.2 million that will support affordable housing subsidies for Yukoners.

The Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit prioritizes households in need and the tenant can continue to receive the benefit if they move to another home within the territory. Depending on their household income and size of family, applicants can receive $200, $400, $600 or $800 per month.

Yukoners can apply for the new benefit at Yukon Housing Corporation offices or online at https://yukon.ca/apply-Canada-Yukon-housing-benefit

The Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit builds on the Canada-Yukon Bilateral Agreement, announced last year under the National Housing Strategy, which will provide more than $75 million to protect, renew and expand social and community housing, and support Yukon’s priorities related to housing repair, construction, and affordability.

> The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Long-term, predictable funding for housing has been needed for more than a decade. Today, with the Government of Yukon, we have taken a significant step toward our goal of building strong communities where Yukoners can prosper and thrive, now and for the future.

> Stable, affordable housing is foundational to the health and wellbeing of all Yukoners. The Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit will help Yukoners afford housing that meets their needs. We are pleased to collaborate with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation on this new program that supports the goals of the Housing Action Plan for Yukon.

> For the first time in a generation, the federal government is back into affordable housing with our National Housing Strategy. The Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit is a key component in developing an ambitious 10-year plan for the housing sector, and to make real progress for Yukoners. I remain committed to working with all levels of government to ensure that our communities have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing.

Quick facts

- This program is for Yukon households that make less than $103,070 in gross income per year. This is called the Affordable Household Income Limit.

- The amount an eligible household receives through this program will be based on the size of home required for their family size.

- Yukoners who are approved for the program will start receiving Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit before December 1, 2020.

- The Government of Canada will invest $2 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit across the country, which will be cost-matched by provinces and territories for a total $4-billion investment over eight years, starting in spring 2020. The federal government, and provinces and territories are working together to co-develop 13 housing benefit programs, one for each jurisdiction, that will respond to local housing affordability challenges.

- The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.

Media contact

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca

Sarah Murray
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-334-9230
sarah.murray@gov.yk.ca

News release #:
20-320
Related information:
Apply for a rent subsidy
Read the Housing Action Plan for Yukon
National Housing Strategy
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation