November 22nd is National Housing Day in Canada. This provides an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s progress in response to Canada’s housing crises.
In 2017, Canada launched its 10-year National Housing Strategy (NHS): A place to call home. The strategy set out a long-term vision for housing with a focus on “improving housing outcomes for those in greatest need”. Central to the NHS and the National Housing Strategy Act (2019) is the recognition that “housing rights are human rights.” The Strategy aims to “progressively implement the right of every Canadian to access adequate housing.” It includes a variety of programs to expand Canada’s housing supply.
The problem is that they are not creating the housing that is needed the most.