Background
This past year highlighted the growing recognition that the lack of safe, affordable, and accessible housing is more than a standalone issue, but one that is deeply connected to many of the social and economic challenges facing communities across the country. As such, we’re seeing more and more organizations, advocates, and communities engaging with housing as a critical human rights issue. Over the past year, groups working in disability justice, migrant justice, labour, health, legal advocacy, and other sectors have increasingly connected their work to housing rights.
The National Right to Housing Network (NRHN)’s 2025 annual report highlights and reflects upon the contributions of a broad and diverse community of people committed to advancing housing justice across Canada. It speaks to the leadership of rights holders, the dedication of community organizations and advocates, and the power of collaboration in driving systemic change.
Our role as a convenor and connector has never been more important. Everyday NRHN is working to bring together advocates, people with lived/living expertise, service providers, advocates, researchers, and organizers to influence policymakers, support civic engagement, and ensure that most-impacted communities are at the centre of the right to housing conversation… and we know that advocacy only gets us so far. We also demand government accountability; we will not allow policymakers to ignore human rights standards.
– Anita Khanna & DJ Larkin, NRHN Steering Committee Members
2025 Annual Report
In 2019, Canada’s National Housing Strategy Act recognized housing as a human right, marking a historic turning point in the fight for housing justice. It signaled a long-overdue recognition that housing is not just a necessity but a cornerstone of justice, equity, and human rights.
Throughout the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the National Right to Housing Network worked alongside partners, rights holders, and communities across Canada to advance the implementation of housing as a human right. We supported engagement with the accountability mechanisms established under the National Housing Strategy Act (NHSA), contributed to domestic and international human rights advocacy, developed new public legal education resources, strengthened cross-sector relationships, and created opportunities for people and organizations to connect, learn, and take action together.
