Empowering renters, advocates, and policymakers with the tools they need to uphold the human right to housing through Canada’s National Housing Strategy Act.
Background: Understanding Your Right to Housing
In 2019, the federal government passed the National Housing Strategy Act (NHSA); Canada’s first domestic legislation to recognizing housing as a human right for all. The NHSA established a legal framework requiring the federal government to take reasonable steps to advance this right and introduced accountability mechanisms including the Federal Housing Advocate, Review Panels and the National Housing Council.
Despite the passing of this historic legislation, many communities and advocates continue to face challenges using these mechanisms to address systemic housing issues and seek meaningful remedies for those in greatest need. NRHN’s Engagement Toolkit was developed to bridge this gap — offering practical guidance for individuals and organizations to engage with the NHSA and advance the right to adequate housing across Canada.
Key Takeaways from the NHSA Toolkit
The NHSA establishes that housing is a legally recognized human right in Canada, and provides mechanisms for accountability. These mechanisms are intended to ensure that governments take concrete steps toward the progressive realization of adequate housing, including using the maximum available resources, applying all appropriate means, and prioritizing communities most affected by housing insecurity, such as Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people with disabilities.
This toolkit highlights the importance of using precise human rights language in submissions to clearly define right-holders and duty-bearers, highlight systemic issues, and propose remedies. This toolkit is designed to equip you with the tools needed to hold the federal government accountable for their obligations in addressing housing discrimination, evictions, inadequate and unsafe housing, and homelessness — ensuring that policies and programs not only meet legal standards but also uphold the dignity, security, and accessibility needs of people living in Canada.