As we Canadians sit at home with our families, we are all rediscovering the value of sanctuary: of a place to call home. Along with food, water and clothing, shelter is a basic human need.

At Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., our goal is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. The coronavirus pandemic only intensifies our focus on the importance of housing.

Help is on its way so everyone can take shelter for as long as it takes.

The federal government through CMHC, along with provinces, territories, municipalities, lenders and landlords, will ensure everyone can take shelter and no one is evicted. Some provinces have already prohibited evictions.

We are doing our part. Tenants and homeowners who have the ability to pay their rent or mortgages can help by doing so. As Bob Dylan said, “A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” This allows us to focus our efforts on those in the greatest need.

Think of Canadians who are homeless or couch surfing with others while trying to maintain social distance. Or the many Canadians who have lost their jobs. We are determined each day to help everyone have a place to call home — a place to take shelter, find warmth, comfort and safety.

Since every situation is different lenders need to evaluate every situation “case by case.” They have told us they will do so with compassion and we have given them the confidence that we will stand behind any decision to give relief.

Please contact your bank or landlord directly to discuss your situation and to get the help you need. Each individual’s needs deserve attention.

For our part, CMHC is offering mortgage deferrals to people and housing providers who need it. We are helping to ensure that housing relief is consistent across the country.

Mortgage insurers are offering six-month payment deferrals (through banks) to anyone with an insured mortgage who needs help. Banks and mortgage lenders are offering the same relief on uninsured mortgages.

CMHC is offering the same forbearance relief to our multi-unit landlord clients. In return, we have insisted on patience from landlords and that they refrain from evictions. Meanwhile, we are also accelerating support for non-profit and co-operative housing providers.

These deferred payments will need to be repaid in the future, although there is further support for lower income and unemployed people who can’t. Our government is rushing to get cash into people’s hands via emergency income support measures.

We see compassion every day. It is part of what makes Canada great. It will help us all if those of us who can pay our bills keep doing so. Jobs depend on it. We need our real estate sector to thrive beyond this interruption. But for those who have been impacted, know that we have your backs.

We are doing battle with a pathogen that is fighting for its life. And as “Band of Brothers” leader Dick Winters said, “war brings out the worst and the best in people. Wars do not make (people) great, but they do bring out the greatness in good (people).”

We see the best every day: doctors, nurses and health care workers on the front lines, government workers finding novel ways to make sure money flows using systems that are decades old, “caremongering” — and landlords helping tenants, too.

CMHC has a long history of standing by Canadians through challenging times. We are doing our part to support banks to continue lending to landlords and ensure that no one loses the safety of a home.

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We are going to make it as easy as we can to get you help if you need it. In return, we ask you to please continue to pay your rent or mortgage if you can and please leave the assistance to those in need.

If we all pitch in – governments, businesses and citizens all doing our part, we will show each other once again how Canada works, and why we are so lucky to be Canadian.