Multi-Family Federal Rental Housing Assistance Programs in Canada and the United States. A Comparative Study

摘要

The purpose of this report is to summarize the essential aspects of Canadian and American Federal rental housing assistance programs to serve as a basis for Canadian - American cooperation. A brief history is presented of the development of rental housing programs in both Canada and the United States, including a summary of their principal similarities. Findings indicate that both nations show concern with providing housing assistance to lower - income households and with the supply of rental housing. Both countries have instituted various low - income or social housing programs and have emphasized production and incentive programs. However, the U.S. relies more heavily on incurred lending rather than direct lending in social housing programs and on using the existing housing stock and rehabilitation rather than relying exclusively on new construction. All Canadian social housing programs have been directly financed by the government and have emphasized new construction. However, recent legislative proposals are moving Canadian policy closer to that of the United States. This report also presents a description of the rental housing programs, their levels of activity, and a comparative analysis of the programs of each country. Overall, Canada and the U.S. have developed essentially the same four types of Federal rental housing programs: public housing, nonprofit and cooperative housing, assisted private rental housing, and rent supplements. Both countries have broadened their rental assistance programs, although mandatory cost - sharing arangements have increasingly circumscribed Federal actions in Canada. Attempts are currently underway in Canada to redefine Federal programs and to offer more responsibility to other levels of government. Tabular data and references, categorized by nation, are included. Fact sheets on Canadian and U.S. housing programs are appended.