Across Canada, homelessness remains a pressing challenge, with many individuals lacking safe and stable housing. Addressing this crisis requires immediate action to expand deeply affordable and supportive housing, reduce barriers, and deliver faster solutions for those most in need.
To tackle unsheltered homelessness and encampments, the federal government is investing $125 million to extend the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative (UHEI). The initiative supports stable housing, enables outreach workers to connect individuals with essential services, and funds the creation or expansion of transitional and supportive housing or shelter spaces.
In addition, the government’s Build Canada Homes program has committed over 10,000 homes to date, backed by a $1 billion investment to create more supportive and transitional housing nationwide. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between federal, provincial, and municipal governments to help people move toward stable housing.
The government is also engaging with partners and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration on housing and homelessness issues. UHEI complements broader federal efforts such as Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy and Canada’s Housing Plan, which aim to build more homes, improve affordability, and support Canadians with the greatest housing needs.
The additional funding for UHEI is sourced through internal savings within Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada programs. UHEI projects take a human-centered, housing-first approach, including transitional and supportive housing, shelter transformation, and case management and support services. The initiative is guided by Community Encampment Response Plans developed with provincial, territorial, and municipal partners to respond to local homelessness challenges.
Launched in September 2025, Build Canada Homes is a federal agency focused on building and financing affordable housing at scale, reinforcing the government’s commitment to delivering long-term housing solutions for Canadians.
