In the 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada reaffirmed the importance of addressing housing and the needs of the homeless in this country. It is recognized that helping individuals and families to overcome housing challenges promotes self reliance, counters a multitude of social problems; and contributes to the economic well-being of all Canadians. In response, the government is committed to building a partnership-based housing framework that is responsive to the "real needs of real people". As part of this commitment, a policy development process is underway that is intended to build on our successes and existing programs with new innovative initiatives in partnership with other levels of government, community groups and the private sector.

As part of the policy development process, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) in collaboration with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will undertake in January and February 2005, a country-wide consultation process. These consultations will be three fold:

INVITATIONAL COMMUNITY FORUMS

The Invitational Community Forum is an opportunity for individual representatives of community stakeholder groups to present their input in person to a panel of Government of Canada senior federal officials responsible for Canada's national housing and homelessness initiatives.

All members of the community are welcomed to attend these proceedings as observers.

Click here for more information (including available Session Reports).

EXPERT ROUNDTABLES

During January and February 2005, a series of Expert Roundtables will provide opportunities to gain new insights and innovative ideas from the perspectives of a wide range of experts on topics such as:

• Horizontality and Linkages to the Broader Social Policy Agenda
• Partnerships, Financial Tools and Land Acquisition for Housing Development
• Integrating Support Services and the Housing Continuum
• Housing Affordability Challenges
• Delivery Models

Click here for more information on Expert Roundtables (including available Session Reports).

NATIONAL URBAN ABORIGINAL HOMELESSNESS FORUM

The National Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Forum is an opportunity for community service providers supported by the National Homelessness Initiative's Urban Aboriginal Homelessness (UAH) program to share with senior federal officials their experiences, challenges, successes and lessons learned, and to propose improvements to existing approaches.

Click here for more information on the National Urban Aboriginal Homelessness Forum (including available Session Report).