Housing & Homelessness
A Brief on 2SLGBTQI Realities and Policy in Canada
Every political issue is a 2SLGBTQI issue.
Access to adequate housing is a fundamental human right in Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission, 2024). However, 2SLGBTQI communities face unique, but not isolated concerns with finding affordable, accessible, and sustainable housing options. This resource highlights how 2SLGBTQI individuals navigate housing and homelessness in Canada.
Below, we offer an in-depth look at how the issue of housing and homelessness impact 2SLGBTQI individuals. In particular, we discuss 2SLGBTQI individuals’ diverse experiences with:
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Quick Facts
- 2SLGBTQI individuals, especially youth, face high housing precarity. They are 2x as likely, and queer women 4x as likely, to experience homelessness (Homeless Hub, n.d.).
- 25% of homeless youth are 2SLGBTQI, despite being only 5-10% of the youth population (Homeless Hub, n.d.).
- Shelters often feel unsafe due to discrimination, lack of cultural competency, and untrained staff (Sterling et al., 2024).
- 49% of 2SLGBTQI individuals worry about housing discrimination (Seida, 2023).
- Home ownership is lower for 2SLGBTQI individuals (47%) than for cisgender, heterosexual people (69%) (Statistics Canada, 2021).
The Context of Housing in Canada, Explained
Housing in Canada is a mix of public and private systems. The housing market is primarily driven by private developers and homeowners, but the government plays a significant role in providing affordable housing and supporting vulnerable populations.
At the federal level, the government oversees programs that fund affordable housing projects, supports repairs for existing homes, and assists low-income renters (Government of Canada, n.d.). Provincial and territorial governments manage the implementation of these programs, often creating policies and funding housing projects specific to their region’s needs (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, n.d.; Ontario, 2024). Municipal governments are responsible for local housing policies, including zoning, land-use planning, and developing affordable housing projects. They also manage rental markets, which are often strained in larger cities where demand outpaces supply.
Homeownership in Canada is common, with many Canadians owning their homes through mortgages. Renters make up a large portion of the population, particularly in major cities, where renting is often more affordable than buying (Statistics Canada, 2025).
Homelessness is also a pressing issue, with many individuals facing a lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges, or systemic barriers. While there are various shelters and support programs, the need for more stable, affordable housing remains a significant challenge (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 2018).
Others in this Series
This series A Brief on 2SLGBTQI Realities and Policy in Canada raises awareness on how key topics across Canada impact 2SLGBTQI individuals and communities in both diverse and intersecting ways. This information is broken down and offered here to support more engagement and encourage 2SLGBTQI communities to participate in these issues that impact us all. Each brief aims to empower 2SLGBTQI communities and allies to step forward and realize our society’s potential, together.