The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has called for Canada to address the country’s increasing housing costs. The group is launching a campaign that asks the federal government and all political parties to work with provincial, territorial and municipal leaders to develop a long-term housing plan.

The campaign, Fixing Canada’s Housing Crunch, will target leaders in Ottawa ahead of the 2014 budget. Recent data shows that one-third of families are having trouble paying their housing costs. This in turn is putting pressure on the rental market and affordable housing units.

“Our cities and communities need a stable and secure housing market that creates jobs, attracts new workers, meets the needs of seniors and young families, and keeps our most vulnerable citizens off the streets,” says Gregor Robertson, Vancouver’s mayor and chair of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus.

Robertson launched the campaign with Gatineau city councillor Luc Montreuil, and Ana Bailão, Toronto city councillor and lead on the City’s housing campaign.

The campaign will see communities across the country pass resolutions asking the federal government to take action.

“We believe the government’s commitment in Budget 2013 to evidence-based solutions such as the Housing First approach for homelessness is a promising start, but they need to back it up with real results and expand that action to other areas of our affordable housing problem,” Robertson says. “Canada’s housing challenges are too big and too complex for any single order of government to solve on its own.”