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In 2017, the Government of Canada released the National Housing Strategy. The purpose is to ensure that all Canadians have access to affordable housing that meets their needs. To gain a better understanding, in 2019, we conducted research on the housing needs of people in vulnerable situations.
The studies focused on Canada, but researchers extended the search to international sources where relevant. This review covered the following key elements:
- housing needs (housing features, home supports, locational features, other needs) and the extent to which these needs are met/unmet
- challenges and barriers in accessing suitable housing
- intersectionality with other identities (e.g., race, gender, age, family status, indigeneity, health, location)
- potential and proven solutions for meeting housing needs
The objectives of the research are to:
- influence housing programs, policies, and services that target populations experiencing vulnerability
- highlight the barriers and challenges, as well as possible solutions, for housing providers and others working with these groups
Researchers recommended the following key changes for each priority population examined:
Developmental Disabilities
- consider designing additional accessibility housing features because physical disabilities frequently occur with developmental disabilities
- recognize and work to accommodate persons challenged by developmental disabilities in individual accommodations, group homes, or shared-living arrangements with appropriate supports in place
- use a Housing First approach if the additional supports are designed to meet the individual needs of a person with developmental disabilities.
LGBTQ2+ Communities
- provide LGBTQ2+ relevant training to administrative support, service providers, property owner associations, real estate boards, and security personnel
- allow preferred names and pronouns in all administrative and legal documents, alongside legal names
- create an LGBTQ2+ tenant forum where residents can provide feedback on policy
- ensure communal spaces (including online spaces) are safe for LGBTQ2+ community members
- use caution when citing or making decisions based on demographic information
Newcomers and Refugees
- adopt a case-management model for housing workers in the early stages of resettlement to better support and protect newcomers and Government Assisted Refugees
- form partnerships between housing and settlement agencies and housing providers
- translate housing information and services in more languages, including information about housing rights
- consider diversified housing stock to accommodate differences in family compositions as well as a range of different uses for space as well
Racialized Individuals and Communities
- develop and maintain the affordable and social housing stock
- encourage settlement outside of the most expensive urban areas
- ensure cultural safety through improved training
- implement Indigenous governance over housing stock and administration
- ensure equitable employment of Indigenous staff as service providers
Veterans
- prioritize housing stability and implement diversions from emergency shelters or medical services
- implement program philosophies such as Housing First and harm-reduction
- integrate support services and form partnerships between Veteran Affairs emergency medical and shelter services
Youth Exiting Foster Care
- support additional transitional housing supply so they are accessible to youth exiting care
- develop robust anti-discrimination training for housing administrators and suppliers
- consider a separate communication strategy for private landlords supported by additional financial incentives if they provide housing to Indigenous youth exiting care
- develop better reporting systems to measure how many youth exit the foster care system annually in Canada to support additional policy adjustments
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