With multi-billion dollar surpluses filling the government’s coffers, it is shameful that 1.7 million Canadians are left without decent homes, forced to choose between food and rent.

With housing groups we reversed the Harper Conservatives’ decision to cut much needed homelessness money from Ottawa.

We need to build on successes, like the 2005 NDP budget allocation of 1.6 billion dollars into affordable housing, to help keep us on the right track.

For more information on the housing crisis in Canada, read the UN Special Rapporteur's report on adequate housing in Canada and the NDP's response.