Anhart Community Housing Society

Anhart Community Housing Society is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals and families through the creation and operation of affordable rental housing. The organization is designated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with the Business Number 846846509RR0001.

Mission and Activities

Anhart's primary mission is to provide supportive housing to individuals of low income and those at risk. They achieve this through partnerships with municipalities, non-profit organizations, market developers, and senior levels of government. One of their key goals is to assist in developing 20,000 affordable homes across Canada. This effort involves utilizing impact investment financing models combined with federal affordable housing loans and provincial grants.

In addition to its domestic initiatives, Anhart operates a sustainable villages program in Sub-Saharan Africa. This program supports social entrepreneurs in building small businesses, health clinics, and schools. Anhart's activities extend across all ten provinces and three territories in Canada, with recent expansions in British Columbia, incorporating non-profit affordable housing entities.

Research and Advocacy

Anhart contributed to a significant research initiative, "A Sociological Modeling of Emergence," funded by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This 2005 study focused on a longitudinal survey of individuals at risk of homelessness in Vancouver and established best practices for privately owned rooming houses. The findings highlighted a reduction in addiction and mental illness rates among tenants when these practices were implemented.

Anhart also participates in policy discussions regarding the financialization of housing in Canada, emphasizing the challenges of increased costs, reduced housing availability, and inequality. They advocate for strategies to counteract these trends while promoting affordable housing solutions.

Structure

Anhart operates through a wholly owned subsidiary, Anhart Homes CCC Ltd., which develops new affordable housing options. This structure allows the organization to focus on its core mission of creating and maintaining affordable living spaces for those in need.