DCHP-3

social housing

DCHP-2 (Mar 2013)
n. & adj. Administration, Politics

affordable, government-subsidized housing for low-income families and individuals.

Type: 2. Preservation The Canadian government passed the National Housing Act in 1938, which provided for the construction of low-rent homes. Low-cost housing continues to be provided by federal or provincial governments for seniors, persons with disabilities, and, beginning in 1974, for Aboriginal people (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). The term is a preservation from British English, and is still used most frequently there (see Chart 1). The term is generally in use world-wide, but in the North American context it is about six times as frequent in Canada as in the US. CMHC, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, has been the biggest provider of social housing over its 70-year existence.
See also COD-2, s.v. "social housing", which is marked "Cdn & Brit".

Quotations

1964
Of the 1,000,000 dwellings making up what might be called the social housing requirements of the next 16 years, about 35 to 40 per cent should be planned for elderly persons, the report said.
1965
The European approach of concealing aid to low-income housing is much preferable. This calls for a mixed blend of units integrated with other housing projects, with low-income earners being given access to suburban and all other types of housing short of luxury homes. This is the best approach yet taken to social housing.
1978
His tunnel-vision in regard to the social housing objectives revealed itself at various times [...] He appeared to be deeply concerned with neighborhoods and their well-being, with the social aspects of adequate housing, with assisted housing, so much so that he might be considered a social worker rather than a planner.
1985
The example, Mason says, is particularly important now, since the report of the commission headed by former cabinet minister Donald Macdonald. The report argues for what it calls a Universal Income Security Program (UISP), which could eventually replace family allowances, child tax credits, married exemptions, child exemptions, federal social housing programs and the federal portion of social assistance payments. It proposes a system whereby recipients would be paid a relatively low level of support, but wouldn't be taxed on that support at too high a rate.
1994
"The federal cuts to social housing have forced the GNWT (Government of the Northwest Territories) to provide housing without CMHC dollars this year, to the detriment of other programs."
1998
NLHC will no longer develop land: Corporation says it is going to stick to social housing construction, repair; [Final Edition]
2009
The investment is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, which will invest $2 billion into housing in Canada. This includes $200 million for Northern housing, as well as $12 million for programs to assist seniors and persons with disabilities and to renovate existing social housing.
2014
Social Housing, as the term is commonly used, is a category of housing that includes public housing, cooperatives, and non-profit providers that receive government funding to assist with rent subsidies and operating and capital costs.
Social housing is often used interchangeably with affordable housing but they are two different things. All social housing is affordable, but not all affordable housing is social housing.

References

Images


        Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 15 Oct. 2012

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 15 Oct. 2012