Over the past several decades, Canada has witnessed significant challenges in housing, particularly for members of at-risk populations, and disabled people figure prominently here. These struggles range from the paucity of physically accessible housing options that currently exist, to a lack of supports that are necessary for people living with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, and health-related chronic conditions.
Manitoba provides an interesting case study for critically examining the relationship between housing and disability in Canada. Once known as the centre of disability activism in Canada, Manitoba claims a venerable history of disability advocacy. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), the Canadian Centre for Disability Studies (CCDS; now Eviance), and the global organization Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) all trace their roots to the province. It is with this backdrop in mind that Manitoba serves as the entry point into our analysis of grey literature addressing housing and disability in Canada.
This white paper examines the findings from our research on the province of Manitoba, presenting some of the key themes and guiding us through the shifts that have taken place over time in policy, advocacy, and discussions about the right to housing for people with disabilities, as observed within the grey literature. This paper also helps us identify gaps and needs that are still not being addressed, and to understand the scale and scope of the problem, and potential pathways to realizing the right to housing for disabled people in Canada.
Authors:
Kristen A. Hardy, University of Winnipeg
Jewelles Smith, Procne Navigation
Jon Paul Mathias, Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
Michelle Owen, University of Winnipeg
Jeremy Wildeman, Canadian Centre for Housing Rights
