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Access to adequate housing is a fundamental human right in Canada. Housing in Canada includes a mix of public and private systems, with federal, provincial, and municipal governments playing crucial roles in providing affordable housing and supporting vulnerable populations. Despite these efforts, homelessness is still a big problem, with 2% of Canadians experiencing homelessness each year and 10.5% facing hidden homelessness. The housing market is under pressure, especially in major cities where demand is higher than supply, leading to more competition and rising prices.
2SLGBTQI communities face unique challenges in finding affordable, accessible, and stable housing. They are twice as likely to experience homelessness, have higher rates of unstable housing, own homes less often, and often face discrimination. 2SLGBTQI youth are especially overrepresented among homeless youth. Trans and gender-diverse individuals often end up in unsafe housing situations and are frequently denied housing. Indigenous and racialized 2SLGBTQI people face even more challenges due to a mix of race, sexuality, and socio-economic factors, including racial profiling and discrimination from landlords and community members.
For some, shelters can offer temporary housing, but accessing them is difficult for 2SLGBTQI people due to discrimination and a lack of understanding. Many shelters follow traditional gender norms or binary gender policies, which don’t accommodate trans and non-binary people. Shelters can also be places where harassment and violence are common, especially for sex workers and racialized 2SLGBTQI individuals.
To improve housing and reduce homelessness, the federal government introduced the National Housing Strategy Act (2019) and the National Housing Strategy (2017). However, these plans don’t fully address the needs of the communities most affected, especially 2SLGBTQI individuals.
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).
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