HAMILTON, ON, June 25, 2026 /CNW/ - Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country.
Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing – working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.
As part of the Government of Canada's broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.
Today, the federal government announced over $1.6 million in funding to help build 31 secure, rental homes in Hamilton. Sacajawea's Indigenous Learners' Building, located at 95 Dundurn Street South, will provide one, two, and three-bedroom units for Indigenous individuals coming to Hamilton with the intention of completing a post-secondary education. Positioned near Hamilton's major post-secondary institutions, the site is served by rapid transit and a future Metrolinx LRT, enabling convenient, car-free access across the city. Its walkable location also provides close access to grocery, retail, and essential daily services.
The announcement was made by Aslam Rana, Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada alongside John-Paul, Member of Parliament for Danko Hamilton West--Ancaster--Dundas.
The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) rewards local governments for pursuing changes that cut red tape and build more homes faster. HAF encourages local solutions that create more housing options by removing barriers and incentivizing updates to planning systems.
Hamilton proposed an ambitious Housing Action Plan which included support for secondary dwellings, a grant program for multi-unit residential housing near rapid transit as well as city-wide zoning reforms. Earlier this year, Hamilton received its third HAF installment of $23.4 million reflecting the successful implementation of its plan.
The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process – helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.
Quotes:
"Our Government is committed to providing communities the support they need to build capacity to develop local solutions to homelessness. Access to adequate, affordable housing is the foundation for socio-economic success. It supports better education and health outcomes, better employment prospects and better community engagement and cohesion, not to mention economic growth and financial security." – The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada
"The groundbreaking of the Sacajawea's Indigenous Learners' Building will make a real difference for people here in Hamilton. With every project like this one, we're getting closer to the country we want – one where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home." – Aslam Rana, Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre
"Projects like Sacajawea's Indigenous Learners' Building reflect the kind of partnerships needed to address the many different housing challenges facing so many people in our city. These new affordable homes will support Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary education and provide access to transit and nearby campuses. Working with community organizations and our federal partners we are investing in housing that expands opportunity and responds to the needs of a growing city." – Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton
"Our Indigenous Learners' Building reflects the power of Indigenous led housing solutions. Through this partnership, we are creating affordable homes that honour the strengths, aspirations, and cultural connections of Indigenous learners while supporting their path toward success." – Miranda Rappazzo, Executive Director, Sacajawea Non Profit Housing Inc.
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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]
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