On August 5th, the government of Canada announced a partnership with the City of Toronto to unlock 18 housing projects that will deliver more than 5,600 rental homes across Toronto, including a subset that will be affordable, supportive, or rent-geared-to-income units.
Build Canada Homes (BCH) will provide $310 million for 1,885 rental units on City-owned land, with 739 of those units defined as ‘affordable’ under BCH rules. These developments will be carried out by supportive housing operators, Toronto Community Housing, Indigenous-led housing providers, and the Parkdale Neighbourhood Community Land Trust. More than half of the units announced will be managed by private developers provided with low-cost federal loans through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Apartment Construction Loan Program.
The funding for non-market housing is welcome, as is the approach to working directly with local governments to use government-owned land, but much more must be done to address Toronto’s housing crisis.
About half of Toronto’s 1.16 million households are renters. Twenty-nine per cent of them live in core housing need, meaning they live in housing that is unaffordable, overcrowded, or in need of major repair – and they cannot find suitable housing that is less than thirty per cent of their income. The number of unhoused Torontonians has dramatically increased in recent years; the 2025 Street Needs Assessment found over 12,000 people living without a home. The loss of lower-rent housing has been directly linked to increases in homelessness in communities across Canada.
To advance the right to housing, new government housing investments need to meet the needs of those most deeply impacted by housing insecurity and homelessness. Rents need to be deeply affordable in perpetuity, supports need to be adequately resourced and respond to the diversity of peoples’ needs, and there needs to be clear targets and minimum standards to provide fully accessible homes that meet the needs of disabled people with diverse accessibility needs.
Many of the proposed units have time-limited affordability requirements, and many of the ‘affordable’ rents are still out of reach for Torontonians living on low or very-low incomes, who can afford a maximum rent of no more than $425-$1,063. While the guidelines mandate all housing developments to be at least visitable with barrier-free common areas, it is unclear if projects funded under this partnership contain mandatory accessibility requirements, or if developers can simply opt out of accessibility guidelines under the ACLP.
In 2025, CCHR participated in a major pan-Canadian consultation around the development of the new federal agency BCH. This involved submitting recommendations for the protection, promotion, and fulfillment of the right to adequate housing, as required by the Government’s obligations under international and Canadian law, specifically the 2019 National Housing Strategy Act (NHSA).
CCHR’s recommendations focused on three key areas:
The announcement of greater non-market housing investments by the federal government, in collaboration with other levels of government, is timely given that it arrives during ongoing consultations with housing stakeholders, civil society and rights-holders on the renewal of the National Housing Strategy (NHS) in 2027.
CCHR remains steadfast in its call for the federal government, in partnership with other levels of government and civil society, to integrate a human rights-based approach into the renewed NHS and BCH operations. Human rights standards and principles must also be embedded across all housing laws, policies and programs, particularly those related to affordability, security of tenure, accessibility and non-discrimination.
Evictions can push people into housing instability, homelessness and poverty. Yet across Canada, eviction is often treated as an inevitable outcome rather than a last resort.
A new publication by Balanced Supply of Housing, Evictions in Canada: The Impact of Evictions on Security of Tenure and the Right to Housing, brings together researchers from across the country to examine the growing impact of evictions on renters and communities.
The collection explores:
Among the contributors is CCHR’s Director of Policy, Research & Law Reform, Margaret Flynn, who co-authored Chapter 3 with Sarah Buhler: Evictions as a First Resort? Proportionality and Discretion in Saskatchewan Eviction Decisions.
The chapter examines 1,906 Saskatchewan eviction cases involving rental arrears and found that eviction was ordered in 99.27% of cases. The research raises important questions about whether existing legal protections are being meaningfully applied and whether sufficient consideration is being given to alternatives that could help renters remain housed.
Most tenants who received eviction orders owed less than two months’ rent
– Chapter 3: Evictions as a First Resort? Proportionality and Discretion in Saskatchewan Eviction Decisions
At a time when governments across Canada are grappling with housing affordability and rising homelessness, this publication offers important evidence on the role eviction plays in housing instability and what can be done to better protect renters.
Approximately 8 million people in Canada live with one or more disabilities that limit their daily activities. Yet accessible housing remains out of reach for far too many people.
Together, the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) and Sunnybrook Research Institute have prepared a submission to the National Housing Council Review Panel examining the lack of accessible housing in Canada. The submission calls for improved accessibility standards and regulations, better programming and accountability, and accommodation policies that support people in securing and maintaining homes that meet their needs.
We are inviting individuals and organizations to add their voice in support of these recommendations. By endorsing the submission, you can help strengthen the call for action and demonstrate broad support for accessible, inclusive housing across Canada.
Endorsements will be accepted until Friday, June 19 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Joint statement demands accountability, federal infrastructure, and binding commitments to make human rights real for everyone in Canada.
Regina (May 21, 2026) — As federal, provincial, and territorial representatives gather at the Forum of Ministers on Human Rights this week, the newly-formed Civil Society Forum for Human Rights in Canada is calling on governments to take immediate and concrete action on human rights implementation.
The Civil Society Forum delivered their statement to the Honourable Minister Marc Miller, responsible for human rights implementation at the federal level, the Honourable Minister Rebecca Alty, and the Honourable Rob Oliphant, along with Attorneys Generals from several provinces and territories — stressing the statement’s importance as a guidepost for human rights implementation at all levels of government.
“The timing of this Ministers’ Forum is critical. People across Canada are facing violence, discrimination, homelessness, environmental harm, and persistent inequality,” says Zoë Craig-Sparrow, Vice-President of Justice for Girls. “Canada participates in international review processes and receives recommendations, but domestically there is no implementation framework and no clear accountability mechanism. For Indigenous, racialized, migrant, low-income, women and gender-diverse persons, and disabled communities, these failures have life-and-death consequences.”
“Human rights cannot remain as simply words on paper. We need to close the gap between promises and action,” says Michèle Biss, Executive Director at the National Right to Housing Network. “When human rights go unimplemented, it shapes everything — people are excluded from decisions that affect them, and governments use narrow interpretations of their obligations in court to avoid accountability under the Charter. Governments at every level must step up to protect and save lives.”
Six Demands for Immediate Action
The Civil Society Forum is calling on governments to act on six priorities:
“As governments around the world openly challenge human rights, Canada has both the opportunity and the responsibility to demonstrate a different and more productive path forward, both in its interactions with other nations and through meaningful implementation at home,” says DJ Larkin, Executive Director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.
“We are united in our shared belief that all human rights are indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated,” says Meghan Doherty, Director of Global Policy and Advocacy at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights. “And that systemic changes to Canada’s human rights infrastructure are necessary for the realization of any and all of our human rights.”
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The Civil Society Forum for Human Rights in Canada is a group of civil society organizations, advocates, and academics united around a shared vision: a Canada where human rights are not merely aspirational, but legally binding, fully funded, and felt in the daily lives of every person in this country.
Signatories
Despite being a signatory to numerous international human rights treaties, Canada has no formal infrastructure to implement recommendations from United Nations human rights bodies. This means that when the UN identifies gaps in Canada’s human rights record — on housing, health care, Indigenous rights, and more — there is no legal obligation, dedicated institution, or funded mechanism to act on them. The result is a persistent gap between the rights Canada promises and the reality people experience.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Tan
Communications Lead
National Right to Housing Network
Email: jessica@housingrights.ca
Phone: 613-621-4575
5 Questions for Change is a monthly feature that brings you insights from the people at CCHR working on the frontlines every day to advance the right to housing.
This month, we are talking to Ayesha Adamjee, Manager of Education and Community Initiatives
1. What are two issues you see renters struggling with most right now?
Security of tenure is the first big issue I see tenants struggling with. I see so many tenants who live in constant fear of eviction, or who have been evicted, often multiple times. In many cases, tenants have done nothing to warrant an eviction. Rather landlords would like to increase the profit from their investment and will file evictions for own use or extensive renovations.
I’m also seeing more and more tenants who are exempt from the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). This is usually when tenants share a kitchen or a bathroom with their landlord. I’ve had a few cases now where the landlord will learn about this exemption and make the unit look like it’s RTA-exempt.
2. What are the most common questions or myths you hear from renters and service providers?
The most common myth I see by far is that all lease clauses are valid. For example, many leases will include a clause that says that tenants are responsible for maintenance, or for putting a certain amount of money towards maintenance. I’ve seen leases that require tenants to move out at the end of the lease term, that says they’re not allowed guests or pets, and it’s important for tenants to know that you can’t “contract out” of your rights. This means that if your lease has a clause that conflicts with the law, it is invalid and unenforceable.
3. What is one resource, either from CCHR or other sources, you find yourself referring people to most often – and why?
I almost always have the Steps to Justice resources and guided pathways open. They are absolutely invaluable in helping tenants understand and enforce their rights. In today’s housing crisis, where most legal professionals are prioritizing evictions, the guided pathways are especially useful in making tenant applications accessible to tenants who can’t afford to hire a legal representative.
4. If you could offer one piece of advice to renters across the country, what would it be?
Learn about your rights and share them with your community! So many landlords exploit tenants who don’t know their legal rights, or who are isolated from their communities. Since they control your housing, landlords are in a position of power over you. Knowledge is power and you are always going to be stronger together. My best advice is to get as organized and as educated as possible.
5. What drives you to do the work you do at CCHR?
We’ve all said that housing is a human right, and that everyone needs a safe place to call home. But housing for me goes so far beyond just someone’s home. Everything in a person’s life is completely dependent upon the adequacy of your housing. It’s impossible to be happy and healthy without a safe and well-maintained house. You can’t be expected to maintain a job if you don’t have a place to go home to at the end of the day. When your rent is too expensive, it’s hard to afford groceries, gas or leisure activities. Without adequate and affordable housing, a person’s whole life falls apart. So to me, there is nothing more important than helping our community stay safely and securely housed.
Note: The information provided in this message is legal information only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice. If you require legal advice, please contact CCHR’s Legal Services team, a lawyer, or your local community Legal Aid clinic.
Last week, we had the privilege of attending and contributing to the PLEAC 2026 Conference in Ottawa, co-hosted by Community Legal Education Ontario and the Ontario Justice Education Network.
The PLEAC Conference is the annual national gathering hosted by the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC), a national nonprofit organization that serves as an umbrella organization for public legal education and information (PLEI) groups across Canada. The conference aims to bring together public legal educators, legal clinic and legal aid professionals, community organizations, and academics to share knowledge, reflect, and learn together.
In York Region, nearly 47% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing, according to the 2021 Census. In 2024, 878 people in York Region were experiencing homelessness, including unsheltered individuals, those in emergency shelters, and those in transitional housing. These figures show the urgent need for coordinated local supports to help residents access stable, affordable housing.
Our Community Lawyer, Ayesha Adamjee, and Outreach and Education Advisor, Jessie Tang, led a workshop on a holistic community approach to housing support in York Region, alongside Camilla Singh, Coordinator at Agincourt Community Services Association, and Michelle Sutherland, Director of Legal Services at the Community Legal Clinic of York Region. The session explored how coordinated local networks can strengthen public legal education and address housing instability.
“This workshop reminded us that collaboration is key. By connecting legal and non-legal community agencies, we can strengthen supports that help more people access safe, secure, and affordable housing in York Region,” said Ayesha and Jessie.
We would like to thank the Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC), Community Legal Education Ontario, the Ontario Justice Education Network, our workshop partners at Agincourt Community Services Association and the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, and all the participants who joined us. We are especially grateful to United Way Greater Toronto for supporting our work in York Region and enabling our team to contribute to this important conference.
Earlier this month, we were pleased to have our Director of Policy, Research, and Law Reform, Margaret Flynn, as a featured speaker at the Niagara Roundtable on Housing.
The Niagara Roundtable brings together seasoned experts and emerging leaders to foster informed dialogue and advance action on the policy, social, and economic issues shaping Canada’s future.
The roundtable brought together leading voices, including Honourable David Hickey, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation; William Strange, Professor, Economic Analysis and Policy, Camrost Felcorp Chair in Urban Economics at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management; and Taya Cook, Executive Vice President at Urban Capital, for a solutions-focused discussion on Canada’s housing challenges.
The discussion focused on three key areas:
– The impact of high housing costs on young people and marginalized communities
– Housing challenges in communities beyond major urban centres
– Various perspectives on more inclusive housing outcomes, including rights-based perspectives
Canada continues to face a growing housing and homelessness crisis. While the crisis affects people from all walks of life, it disproportionately impacts those already facing barriers, including Indigenous people, Black and other racialized people, 2SLGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, seniors, women, youth, and low-income households.
Drawing on CCHR’s policy and client services work, Margaret highlighted how housing insecurity affects stability in people’s daily lives, undermining safety, health, and the ability to fully participate in their communities.
“Access to housing is fundamentally about stability. Without security of tenure, our communities cannot build the foundation they need to thrive,” said Margaret Flynn.
Building on these conversations, we remain focused on advancing the right to housing, ensuring that everyone in Canada has access to a safe, secure, and affordable home. By highlighting the real-world impacts of housing insecurity and advocating for evidence- and rights-based solutions, we aim to support stronger, more stable communities across the country.
5 Questions for Change is a monthly feature that brings you insights from the people at CCHR working on the frontlines every day to advance the right to housing.
This month, we are talking to Victoria Wan, a Lawyer from our Client Services team.
1. What are two issues you see renters struggling with most right now?
The two most common issues I see right now are Above Guideline Increase (AGI) applications and maintenance issues. I talk to tenants in Toronto due to our legal services program, but I know these two issues are common throughout Ontario.
AGI applications are based on circumstances where a landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) to raise the rent above the guideline amount. Each year, the Ontario government sets a “rent increase guideline”, which is the percentage that a landlord is allowed to increase the rent for rent-controlled units. Rent-controlled units are defined by the Residential Tenancies Act.
Maintenance issues within the rental unit or in the building are very common as well, especially for older buildings in Toronto and in Ontario. Always document and write to your landlord when you have a complaint about a maintenance issue. If the landlord is not responding, contact the Property Standards for your municipality, which is usually the phone number 311.
2. Is there a recent case or experience that stayed with you and what did it reveal about renters’ realities?
In our current economic reality, an extreme rent increase is very difficult for renters. As I mentioned above regarding rent-controlled units, there are more and more rental units that do not have rent control. Rental units that are not rent controlled include new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and most new basement apartments that are occupied for the first time for residential purposes after November 15, 2018.
I worked on a case that involved an extremely high rent increase of $600 in one year, on top of a current monthly rent of $3,000. Because the rental home was newly constructed and rented for the first time around 2021, the landlord is legally permitted to increase the rent to any amount. Despite attempts to negotiate with the landlord, the landlord was not willing to permit a lower increase amount.
The problem is with the rent decontrol laws set by the Ontario government in 2018. If you disagree with these rent decontrol laws, talk to your Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament.
3. When you represent tenants at the LTB, what’s the most common misconception you encounter- either from renters or landlords?
When I represent tenants at the Landlord and Tenant Board, a common misconception that I see from landlords or their representatives are that tenants are trying to be “annoying” to landlords and their representatives. Standing up for your legal rights as a tenant is not “annoying.” Being able to know and enforce your tenant rights is part of advancing the human right to housing in Canada. We live in a real world, where there are real human beings and families struggle to pay rent and afford food for themselves and their family. Learn more about CCHR’s work on the right to housing in Canada here.
4. If you could offer one piece of advice to renters across the country, what would it be?
Learn your rights as a tenant in your province. Seek free legal advice on tenant rights where you can get it. Read the municipal and provincial websites with the summaries on your rights as a tenant. CCHR has a resource for renters facing eviction for each province and territory in Canada here: Resources for renters facing eviction – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights.
If you are lucky to have secure and safe housing, try to support other tenants who are facing difficult challenges.
5. What drives you to do the work you do at CCHR?
I really do admire and appreciate my coworkers at CCHR, and I am inspired by the work they do to advance good housing policies and recommendations at every level of government. I am also driven by supporting affordable housing, and learning and working to find better solutions for renters in Ontario, and across the country. I hope to help in advancing the work for every Canadian to know that housing is a human right recognized by the United Nations.
Note: The information provided in this message is legal information only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice. If you require legal advice, please contact CCHR’s Legal Services team, a lawyer, or your local community Legal Aid clinic.
5 Questions for Change is a monthly feature that brings you insights from the people at CCHR working on the frontlines every day to advance the right to housing.
This month, we are talking to Rose Vandermeer, Senior Engagement and Education Advisor.
5 Questions for Change is a monthly feature that brings you insights from the people at CCHR working on the frontlines every day to advance the right to housing.
This month, we are talking to Julie Matheson, a Lawyer from our Client Services team.
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