OPEN LETTER: To Prime Minister and Housing Minister on Affordable Housing Commitment Details

June 3, 2025

The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.,
Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister Carney and Minister Robertson,

Open Letter Re: Request for Details on Federal Commitments to Co-op and Social Housing

During today’s session of Question Period, Minister Robertson stated that the federal government is committed to building co-operative and social housing with subsidies, alongside market housing. This statement is a welcome acknowledgment of the urgent affordable housing crisis facing communities across the country and the critical need for permanent, non-market housing solutions.

Given the significance of this commitment, I am writing to request further details on the federal government’s housing plan. Specifically:

What are the government’s targets for the number of new co-operative and social housing units to be built?

What levels of capital and operating subsidies will be provided to ensure these homes remain permanently affordable?

How does the federal government plan to work with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous governments, and non-profit housing providers to deliver on these commitments?

What proportion of the overall housing investment will be allocated to non-market housing relative to market development?

What timelines can Canadians expect for the rollout of these initiatives?

Will there be a commitment to purchase and renovate the remaining SRO hotels in the City of Vancouver?

As the Member of Parliament for Vancouver East—a riding deeply affected by Canada’s housing and homelessness crisis—I have long advocated for a return to federal leadership in building publicly funded, permanently affordable housing. Clear, concrete, and measurable plans are essential to ensuring these commitments are realized and to rebuilding the public’s trust in government action on housing.

I look forward to receiving in a timely way, a detailed response outlining your government’s plan to deliver on these urgently needed housing investments.

Sincerely, 

Jenny Kwan
Member of Parliament
Vancouver East
NDP Critic for Housing and Infrastructure

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