Despite fanfare from Defence Minister Bill Blair, the Liberal government's plan to build 668 new military housing units is facing criticism due to significant delays. Internal documents reveal that only 36 units will be completed this year, highlighting a slow rollout of the program. Critics argue that the housing affordability crisis is impacting military morale and leading to increased homelessness among soldiers and veterans.
Defence Minister Bill Blair spent a portion of Thursday promoting the Liberal government's plan to build an additional 668 military housing units, despite internal documents revealing that only 36 of these units will be completed this year. A presentation from the Canadian Forces Housing Authority, obtained by CBC News, indicates that it will take two years for the program to gain momentum and provide relief to stressed soldiers, sailors, and aircrew at nine bases across the country.
Blair visited Canadian Forces Base Borden north of Toronto on Thursday, where he inaugurated a new accommodation facility for training recruits. 'The construction of 668 new housing units will help house more military families in affordable homes near bases across the country,' stated Blair. The Defence Department 'is helping meet the housing needs of military personnel, while alleviating housing demands in surrounding communities,' the statement, released Thursday, added. However, internal documents, dated January 25th, reveal a staggered construction timeline. The Defence Department aims to build an additional 156 units - mostly low-rise apartment buildings - in 2026-27, 204 in 2027-28, 182 in 2028-29, and 90 in 2029-30. The residential housing units (RHUs) are 'prioritized for members in their first five years of service, compassionate postings, returning from postings and posted for a course or series of courses,' according to the presentation. In addition to constructing new housing, the Defence Department is undertaking renovations and redevelopments of existing properties and acquiring additional ones (189 units in Yellowknife and exploring a potential partnership in Ottawa). Last year, the Liberal government announced a $1.4 billion investment over 20 years to enhance military housing, one of several affordability initiatives. A series of internal Defence Department reports and studies have highlighted the lack of affordable housing as a significant contributor to low morale within the military, even being blamed for the persistent attrition rate where some troops opt to leave rather than accept postings in high-cost areas.
Military Housing Affordability Crisis Defence Minister Bill Blair Liberal Government Canadian Forces Homelessness Morale
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