Submission to the National Consultation on a Human Rights-Based Approach to Housing

As the details of the National Housing Strategy roll out, the Government of Canada continues to make its intentions clear: the forthcoming housing strategy will be rooted in a human rights-based approach. The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness lauds this commitment. 

During this consultation phase, we offer our perspective on how the government can develop, implement and most importantly, guarantee a right to housing. To do so, they must go beyond a human rights approach. To see an end to homelessness in Canada — and access to safe, affordable housing for all — the Government of Canada must make an explicit, actionable and judiciable commitment to housing as an inalienable human right. 

Toward this effort, we make recommendations. These recommendations are formed in consultation with A Way Home Canada, the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and other knowledgeable stakeholders. We draw heavily from the recommendations made by Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. The strategies set forth by the Special Rapporteur provide a strong, principled foundation from which to build the National Housing Strategy on.

Publication Date: 
2018