Liberals urged to solve affordable housing for immigrants

Liberals urged to solve affordable housing for immigrants

Teresa Armstrong

QUEEN’S PARK–NDP immigration critic, Teresa Armstrong, demanded the Liberal government provide a solution to the housing crisis faced by immigrants in Ontario.

“Immigrants are vital to the economic well-being and growth of our communities, especially my riding in London.  Yet the most recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation report on housing trends lists my community of London as the second hardest community for immigrants to find housing security in the country.  London is second only to Toronto, even though Toronto’s population is 90 per cent larger than London’s,” Armstrong said.

“Much of this trend is due to lack of affordability; however, we know the real issue at play is access for new comers. Newly arrived individuals and families are finding it difficult to secure housing because of lease restrictions.  What is this government doing to ensure that new comers in my community have the housing security they need?

Armstrong said along with London, immigrants across Southwestern Ontario are facing a housing shortage.

“We need a diverse workforce in order to kick-start our economic engine.  But it’s not just my community of London.  Immigrants to Toronto have it worse with over 36 per cent unable to find secure affordable housing.  And right across the province it’s the same, in cities like Windsor and Hamilton,” Armstrong said.

“What assurance will this government give that yet another study that identifies a problem won’t just be ignored and that this government will act to find a solution to housing security issues faced by immigrants?

(PRESS RELEASE)