Madam Chair, I want to thank my hon. colleague from Vimy for this crucial question.
The high cost of housing across the country is affecting almost every Canadian. That is exactly why we are taking action on several fronts to alleviate the pressure on low- and modest-income Canadians. For this reason, budget 2021 will invest $2.5 billion and reallocate $1.3 billion in existing funding to speed up the construction, repair or support of 35,000 affordable housing units.
This will also help families, young people, low-income Canadians, people experiencing homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence find a safe and affordable place to call home.
Of this investment, $1.5 billion will be allocated to the rapid housing initiative to build units over the next 12 months. It is important to note that at least 25% of these funds are allocated to and reserved for women-focused housing projects. This investment will add more than 4,500 units to the affordable housing market, building on the 4,700 units we created as part of the $1-billion investment included in the fall economic update.
My hon. colleague also mentioned the importance of helping women fleeing violence. I want to note that budget 2021 provides $315.4 million over seven years, starting in 2021-22, through the Canada housing benefit to increase direct financial assistance for low-income women and children fleeing violence to help with their rent payments.
These measures are in addition to our work to advance a national action plan to end gender-based violence and the budget 2021 proposal to invest $200 billion over two years, starting in 2021-22, to support organizations fighting gender-based violence.
The first-ever national housing strategy guides our government's approach to housing because everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. We will continue this important work that we have just started.