The Canada Housing Benefit is a federal-provincial cost-shared program that provides direct financial assistance to low-income renters to help them afford housing. Unlike programs that fund housing construction, the benefit puts money directly in renters' hands to help close the gap between what they can afford and market rents. The program is delivered differently in each province through bilateral agreements with the federal government. Some provinces deliver benefits through existing social assistance systems while others have created dedicated programs. The Canada Housing Benefit addresses the 'demand side' of housing affordability, complementing supply-side investments in new affordable housing construction.