Ottawa, Ontario – Office of the Federal Housing Advocate
Today, Canada's Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, asked the National Housing Council to launch a review panel to examine the lack of accessible housing across Canada.
The shortage of accessible housing is a serious human rights concern in every province and territory. Barriers to housing for people with disabilities, seniors, and other equity-deserving groups have serious consequences – some people with disabilities have turned to Medical Assistance in Dying because they can't access housing and supports that meet their needs. The shortage of accessible housing is also contrary to Canada's international and domestic human rights obligations.
Everyone in Canada has the fundamental right to adequate housing — and accessibility is essential to that right. Having an accessible home is crucial for people to be able to live in dignity, free from discrimination, independently, and as part of their communities.
Data from a joint monitoring project between the Office of the Federal Housing Advocate and the Canadian Human rights Commission shows that people with disabilities are overrepresented in all aspects of inadequate housing and homelessness. They are more likely to live in unaffordable and unsafe housing, are often living in homes that are not accessible or do not have the necessary physical aids, and are unable to access crucial supports.
With life expectancy rising and Canada's senior population growing rapidly, the demand for accessible housing is increasing sharply. As people age, many are unable to remain safely in their homes due to evolving mobility and accessibility needs.
These concerns are not new—seniors and people with disabilities have long spoken out about how inaccessible housing harms their physical and mental health. The Advocate has received numerous submissions underscoring the urgency of this issue and has witnessed its impact firsthand in communities across the country.
Inaccessible housing is a systemic problem that undermines countless other human rights. The lack of accessible housing strains our health and social services systems, limits workforce participation, and has economic ripple effects.
As Canada seeks to build a record number of new homes, this is a pivotal moment to build in accessibility, as well as the viewpoints of people with lived experience, from the very start. It is crucial that Canada ensures every person with an accessibility need has an accessible, affordable, and safe place to live.
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“There is a shocking lack of accessible housing in Canada, and this is particularly amplified for people in rural, remote, and Northern areas. Accessible housing is a human right. In fact, most of us will need some accessibility features in our homes at some point in our lives. We need accessible and inclusive housing to be built into Canada's housing policies and strategies.”
– Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate
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