A word from Romy Bowers on National Housing Day, 2022

November 22, 2022

National Housing Day is an opportunity to take stock of what has been accomplished and recognize that there are still many barriers to overcome to reach our 2030 goals. We’ll continue moving forward with innovative programs which will help shift the needle closer towards ensuring everyone in Canada has access affordable housing by 2030.

Everything starts at home.

Housing helps us stay employed, do better in school and participate more fully in society. Housing plays a critical role in our lives, affecting everything from our employment prospects to our educational attainment. Despite its importance, housing is often taken for granted.

The truth is that our housing situation has a profound impact on our overall well-being. Having a safe and stable place to call home is essential to leading a productive and successful life.

Transcript

(Music)

(Visual: Romy Bowers appears on screen and begins to speak. She is sitting in a chair in front of a blank wall.)

(Text on screen: Romy Bowers, President & CEO, CMHC)

00:01
National Housing Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on why housing matters.

(Visual: As Romy Bowers continues to speak, a series of clips are shown featuring smiling people. An older woman stands in front of an outdoor mural. Another older woman is seated at a table in front of a community kitchen. A young person sits on the steps outside a red brick building. An older man stands in his home with movie posters in the background.)

00:05
Home is a basic human need. It allows us to feel safe, secure, and stable. It enables us to grow, feel confident and connected to our communities, and become the best we can be.

(Visual: Romy Bowers appears back on camera.)

00:18
Home is essential. We know that far too many people in Canada are struggling to find housing that meets their needs.

(Visual: As Romy Bowers continues to speak, a series of clips are shown featuring smiling people. A middle-aged man stands outside in front of a sign that says “Veterans’ House”. Another middle-aged man sits on a bench outside an apartment building called “Karen’s Place”. A young woman stands outside with large apartment buildings in the background. A young man stands outside a red brick building. A middle-aged woman is working on a computer in her office.)

00:24
We need to come together, now more than ever, to build shelters for the homeless, support families in housing need, and deliver more homes for Canadians. Future generations are counting on us to build an affordable, stable, sustainable and equitable housing system.

(Visual: Romy Bowers appears back on camera.)

00:40
I hope you will partner with CMHC and help everyone have a place to call home.

(Text on screen: Partner with us. Learn more about funding and financing opportunities.)

(Visual: Text, the Government of Canada logo, and CMHC logo fade in together. All text and logos fade out.)

(Music fades out)