Access to adequate housing is a fundamental human right in Canada. Housing in Canada is characterized by 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 remains a significant issue, with 2% of individuals in Canada experiencing homelessness annually and 10.5% facing hidden homelessness. The housing market is strained, particularly in major cities where demand outpaces supply, leading to increased competition and higher prices.
2SLGBTQI communities face unique, but not isolated concerns with finding affordable, accessible, and sustainable housing options. They are 2x as likely to experience homelessness, have higher rates of housing precarity, lower rates of home ownership, and frequently face discrimination. 2SLGBTQI youth being significantly overrepresented among homeless youth. Trans and gender-diverse individuals often encounter unsafe housing situations and are frequently denied housing while Indigenous and racialized 2SLGBTQI people face additional barriers due to intersections of race, sexuality, and socio-economic factors, including racial profiling and discrimination from landlords and community members.
For some individuals, shelters offer a space for those in need of temporary housing. However, accessing shelters poses significant challenges for 2SLGBTQI individuals due to discriminatory practices and a lack of cultural competency. Many shelters operate with heteronormative or binary gender policies, failing to accommodate trans and non-binary individuals. Additionally, shelters can also be spaces with high levels of harassment and violence, particularly for sex workers and racialized 2SLGBTQI individuals.
To improve housing accessibility and eliminate homelessness, the federal government announced the National Housing Strategy Act (2019) and the National Housing Strategy (2017). However, these strategies do not adequately address the needs of the most affected communities, particularly 2SLGBTQI individuals. Continue reading to further explore how 2SLGBTQI experiences intersect with housing in Canada.
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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