Human Resources committee  Yes, it should be, and access to it should be similar to food, health care and education.

Human Resources committee  I'll address two different types of investment. One is to address anti-poverty and anti-homelessness. That requires direct capital investment from the government on an ongoing basis, as well as operationally. Earlier this year, we suggested that the Province of Ontario create a $3-billion fund specifically to capitalize creating over 10,000 spaces.

Human Resources committee  I believe that's addressed to me. The federal government can do a number of things. Number one, it can create a capital pool to enable either a public builder or public financing, whether that's done through a new institution or through CMHC, so that these projects can get going, and local builders and local non-profits will have a better sense of some of the better locations.

Human Resources committee  I think it's simple just to say that this is a core part of the social welfare state that is supposed to catch people but hasn't for some time. There's not a way to provide people who are in dire need of assistance with housing that can be built by the private market. What's important about funding for this directly is not just the units—which you need.

Human Resources committee  I actually don't know of another program, but my organization is a broad-based housing group. We're not specifically a homeless, anti-homelessness and anti-poverty organization, so I would suggest speaking with some of those experts as well. One of the things to highlight is that about 10% of our hospital beds in Toronto are occupied by people who can't be discharged to stable housing.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  That's correct.

Human Resources committee  I would say that the most important level of government to target reformat would be the provincial government in Ontario. It has a lot more influence over how municipalities define the types of taxes and the pace at which they can raise them, including on development charges.

Human Resources committee  I believe the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that the provinces are maintaining a policy framework that is meeting the needs of the country. I would say that this is particularly true of Ontario's provincial government, which recently even rolled back its own provisions to limit the pace of growth in development charges.

Human Resources committee  Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Eric Lombardi, and I'm the president and founder of More Neighbours Toronto, an advocacy group based here in the city that's dedicated to ending the housing crisis that is afflicting our generation, those who are renting and those who are poor and getting increasingly left behind.