Housing advocates say the new Liberal national housing strategy is a good first step – but it’s short on details.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled the 40-billion-dollar strategy in Toronto today.

It includes a new housing benefit for low-income tenants, the creation of a financing program for housing providers to help them repair aging units – and the appointment of a federal housing advocate.

Most of the money won’t be spent until after the next federal election – but the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness is urging the government to move quickly to put the strategy to work.

Wanda Morris – in a statement from CARP says the organization is pleased to see the $40 billion commitment from the Liberal government – because while housing is often seen as an issue impacting younger Canadians – many seniors live in social housing that is in disrepair – or are struggling to pay rent on fixed incomes.

Approximately 1/4 of Canadian seniors live in poverty.  Providing housing security is a key step in alleviating it.

CARP says it looks forward to working with the federal government – to ensure sufficient funding is allocated – to meet the specific needs of seniors.