Dr. Naomi Feely:

When we conducted the analysis for the child poverty monitor, we discovered a lack of affordability in things like the private rental sector and a contraction of the private rental market. Families who are dependent on the housing assistance payment, HAP, find it increasingly difficult to access a home in the private rental sector. They are then pushed into emergency accommodation or, as I mentioned in my opening statement, may be forced to return to an original family home. Those families are vulnerable to the operation of the market. We also need an increase in the number of social housing completions. That is critical because we know social housing offers a far more sustainable and long-term tenancy and housing situation for families.