The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) this week welcomed a report issued by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that recommends Canada “develop and effectively implement a human-rights based national strategy on housing.”  

The recommendations made by the UN Committee mirrored many of the recommendations made by CHRA in a joint housing statement issued in February 2016.

The report released on March 8 by the UN Committee examines the state of Canada’s implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.  The report is critical of Canada’s record in housing, referring to the “persistence of a housing crisis.” It recommends that Canada develop and effectively implement a national strategy on housing, which would include the need to increase federal and provincial resources dedicated to housing, and take measures to increase the availability of social and affordable housing units. 

The report also calls on the federal government to develop a national strategy aimed at homelessness, intensify its efforts to address indigenous peoples’ housing crisis, and recommends that a disability lens be integrated into housing plans and policies. 

“This UN report reinforces the messages that CHRA and other housing stakeholders have been conveying, which is that the affordable housing sector in Canada is underfunded, and is in significant need of reinvestment,” said Jeff Morrison, CHRA Executive Director.

“The new federal government has sent strong signals that the upcoming Budget will begin to address the gaps in Canada’s housing system, and lay the groundwork for the development of a longer-term National Housing Strategy, which includes recognizing the unique needs of homeless and indigenous populations, as well as people with disabilities. We look forward to working with the government on that plan, as the UN has recognized that Canada sorely needs”.

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Media contact: Catherine Fortin LeFaivre, CHRA Public Affairs Director cflefaivre@chra-achru.ca 613-979-8683

The CHRA’s members and stakeholders include housing providers, municipalities, businesses, all 13 provincial and territorial housing departments, service and support agencies, individuals, students and other housing-related associations and networks.