Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the National Housing Strategy Act?
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The National Housing Council has been established under the National Housing Strategy Act. Grounded in a human rights-based approach to housing, the Act declares it is the housing policy of the Government of Canada to:
a) Recognize that the right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right affirmed in international law;
b) Recognize that housing is essential to the inherent dignity and well-being of the person and to building sustainable and inclusive communities;
c) Support improved housing outcomes for the people of Canada; and
d) Further the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing as recognized in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
- What role does the National Housing Council play in advancing the human right to adequate housing?
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The National Housing Council's duties include promoting participation and inclusion in the development of housing policy; providing advice to the Minister responsible for the National Housing Strategy Act on how to improve housing outcomes; and providing advice on the effectiveness of the National Housing Strategy to the Minister.
- What does the National Housing Strategy Act mean for provinces and territories?
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Adopting a human rights-based approach in the National Housing Strategy Act enables the Government to support the achievement of National Housing Strategy outcomes while also advancing progress on international obligations.
In Canada, federal, provincial, and territorial governments are primary partners in housing and have a shared responsibility and complementary roles for advancing housing. Provincial and territorial (PT) governments have expressed that adopting the human rights-based approach to housing must be done in partnership and be based on principles contained in the Housing Partnership Framework.
There is a PT representative who sits on the National Housing Council, and ensures the views of provinces and territories are considered.
- How does the National Housing Strategy Act support Canada's progressive realization of the right to adequate housing?
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Canada furthers the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing, as recognized under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), through legislation, policies, and programs at all levels of government. At the federal level, the National Housing Strategy and the National Housing Strategy Act are key measures to help advance Canada's international commitments to support the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing. These federal measures were informed by diverse voices and perspectives during national public consultations.
The National Housing Strategy Act sets out a housing policy for the Government of Canada that seeks to further the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing, as recognized under the ICECSR by:
- Requiring the adoption and maintenance of a National Housing Strategy (NHS).
- Establishing a National Housing Council with diverse representation.
- Establishing a Federal Housing Advocate, supported by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, to identify systemic housing issues facing individuals and households belonging to vulnerable groups, and provide an annual report to the Minister with recommended measures, which will be tabled in Parliament. The Advocate can request that the Council hold a Review Panel on a systemic housing issue under the jurisdiction of Parliament.
The National Housing Council has an active role in promoting participation and inclusion in the development of the Government of Canada's housing policy and contributes to the success of the National Housing Strategy by providing advice to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion to improve the effectiveness of the Strategy and help ensure it meets its objectives.
A human rights-based approach to housing also forms the foundation for Canada's first-ever National Housing Strategy.
- Why is there a Federal Housing Advocate and a National Housing Council? What is the difference?
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The Federal Housing Advocate has the mandate to promote and protect housing rights across Canada. The Advocate's work includes consulting with members of vulnerable groups and receiving submissions from communities affected by systemic housing issues.
The Advocate does research and analysis and prepares reports on systemic housing issues and monitors the implementation of the Government's housing policy, as well as the progress of the National Housing Strategy. The Advocate is a Governor in Council appointment. The Advocate is an ex-officio member of the Council. The Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) provides the administrative services and facilities to assist the Advocate in performing her/his duties and functions.
The National Housing Council has the mandate to advise the Minister responsible for the purposes of the National Housing Strategy Act on - among other things - the effectiveness of the National Housing Strategy.
The Advocate may undertake a review of a broad systemic housing issue, or request that the National Housing Council establish a review panel to hold a hearing to review any systemic housing issue within federal jurisdiction.
You can learn more about the Federal Housing Advocate here.
- What is HICC's role in supporting the Council?
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HICC is to provide the Council with any administrative services and support necessary to assist the National Housing Council in performing its duties and functions through the National Housing Council Secretariat.
- What is a review panel?
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Review panels are a participatory, human rights-based mechanism created under the National Housing Strategy Act to support the right to adequate housing in Canada. Review panels are not a mechanism for individuals to seek a resolution to a housing issue they may be experiencing. Review panels are focused on systemic housing issues that are identified by the Federal Housing Advocate and referred to the National Housing Council for review. Hearings: Review panels may include both written and oral hearings and will be guided by a human rights-based approach that is grounded in the principles of non-discrimination, inclusion, participation and accountability. The hearings create an opportunity for participation and meaningful engagement with individuals and members of communities affected by the systemic issue under review, as well as those with expertise in human rights and housing, and those with a responsibility and/or duty to help find solutions to the systemic issue under review. Report with the panel's opinion and recommendations: The panel will analyze all submissions received as part of written and oral hearings and use the information and evidence gathered to prepare a report to the Minister responsible for the National Housing Strategy Act. The report to the Minister will outline the panel's opinion on the systemic housing issue under review and its recommendations to address issue. Given the scope of the National Housing Strategy Act, recommendations will focus on measures that are within the jurisdiction of the federal government to help to ensure that the panel's recommendations are actionable and have the potential to result in changes that advance the right to adequate housing in Canada. The Minister responsible for the National Housing Strategy Act must respond to the review panel's report within 120 days and table that response in the House of Commons and in the Senate.
- How is a review panel established?
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The Federal Housing Advocate may ask the National Housing Council to create a review panel to hold a hearing to review a systemic housing issue that falls within the jurisdiction of the federal government. The Advocate may ask for a review panel on a systemic issue that has been identified through a submission received by the Advocate from individuals or organizations in Canada. The Advocate may also ask for a review panel to be established on an issue that is identified through the research, engagement and monitoring activities of the Advocate.
- Who are review panel members and how are they selected?
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As outlined in the National Housing Strategy Act, a review panel must consist of three members of the National Housing Council, other than ex officio members. Review panel members are drawn from the Minister-appointed members of Council, with consideration of the importance of representation of populations that experience vulnerability and marginalization, persons with lived experience of inadequate housing or homelessness, and persons who have expertise in human rights. The Co-Chairs of the Council are responsible for ensuring three members are appointed to a panel.
- What is a written hearing?
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Review panels may include a written hearing phase which will allow the public, including individuals and members of communities affected by the systemic housing issue under review, civil society organizations and those with expertise in housing and human rights, an opportunity to make a written submission to the review panel via the National Housing Council website. The written hearing phase begins when the review panel members issue a call for written submissions related to the issue under review. The written hearing phase will be open for a period of six to twelve weeks, depending on the systemic issue under review. The duration of the written hearing and other details will be shared publicly on the National Housing Council website.
All submissions to the written hearing will be given full consideration by the panel.
- How can I make a submission to a written hearing?
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Individuals and organizations who would like to prepare a submission to a review panel may do so via the National Housing Council website. Submissions to a written hearing must be received on or before the closing date of the written hearing. Submissions received after this date will not form part of the evidence of the review panel.
Submissions to a written hearing can be made in a number of written or digital formats. Details will be provided as part of the call for written submissions posted on the National Housing Council website.
- What is an oral hearing?
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The oral hearing phase of a review panel provides an opportunity for panel members to engage in dialogue with individuals and members of communities that are affected by the systemic housing issue under review, organizations that represent and/or serve them, as well as experts on human rights and housing and those with a responsibility and/or duty to help find solutions to the systemic issue under review.
Given that many systemic housing issues will be national in scope, it is expected that oral hearings will be virtual to ensure fair and equitable access to the hearings. For some review panels, in-person hearings may also be scheduled as part of the oral hearing process.
- What are the roles and responsibilities of Council members assigned to review panels?
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As outlined in the National Housing Strategy Act, a review panel must:
- Hold a hearing to review the systemic housing issue;
- Offer the public, particularly members of communities most affected by the systemic housing issue and individuals and organizations with expertise in human rights and housing, an opportunity to participate;
- Prepare a report that sets out the panel's opinion on the issue and any recommendations to take measures over which Parliament has jurisdiction to address the issue; and,
- Submit the report to the Minister responsible for the National Housing Strategy Act.
- What is the role of the Federal Housing Advocate in review panels?
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The Federal Housing Advocate plays an important role in review panels. As outlined in the National Housing Strategy Act, the Federal Housing Advocate may request that the National Housing Council establish a review panel to hold a hearing to review any systemic housing issue within the jurisdiction of Parliament that is raised in a submission received by the Advocate under paragraph 13(f).
If the Federal Housing Advocate identifies a systemic housing issue that is within the jurisdiction of Parliament and that is not the subject of a submission, they may also request that the National Housing Council establish a review panel to hold a hearing to review the issue.
For review panels not based on a submission to the Advocate, once a review panel is established, the Federal Housing Advocate must provide the review panel with a summary of the information that formed the basis for the Advocate's request.
During the review panel process, the Federal Housing Advocate is entitled to make representations and present proposals for recommendations to the review panel and may, for the purpose of doing so, work with experts and communities that are affected by the issue before the review panel.
More information about the Federal Housing Advocate can be found here.
- Will hearings be conducted in both official languages?
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Yes, all steps in the review panel process will be delivered and made available in both French and English.
- How will my submission to the written and/or oral hearings be used by the review panel?
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Submissions to a review panel written and/or oral hearing will form part of the evidence that will be reviewed and analyzed by the panel and inform the panel's opinion and recommendations to the Minister responsible for the National Housing Strategy Act.
- How will my information be used and protected?
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We are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals participating in review panel hearings. Any personal information shared with the panel will only be used for the purposes of evidence-gathering and analysis in order to inform the panel's opinion and recommendations to the Minister. Personal information will be handled in accordance with the National Housing Council's Privacy Policy.
- Who can I contact if I have questions about review panels?
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For questions not covered on this page, you may reach out to the Secretariat team providing support to the National Housing Council at the following email address: nhc-cnl@infc.gc.ca
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Adequate Housing
- The human right to adequate housing means that everyone has the right to housing that meets a set of basic conditions. These conditions are recognized under international human rights law. The conditions required to meet this standard of adequacy mean that housing must be:
- secure - security of tenure provides protection from forced eviction, forced relocation or harassment;
- affordable - housing costs should not be a barrier to meeting other basic needs such as food, and costs should be protected against unreasonable increases;
- habitable - dwellings should have adequate space for the inhabitants, be properly maintained, and provide protection from the elements and other threats to health and well-being;
- provide basic services - including safe drinking water, sanitation, heating, lighting, and emergency services;
- in a location - that is close to employment and basic social services such as childcare, education and healthcare, and is not located in a polluted or dangerous area;
- accessible - for people of all abilities, particularly those experiencing discrimination or living in vulnerable circumstances; and
- culturally appropriate - respects and is appropriate for the expression of the inhabitants' cultural identity and ways of life.
All people should have equitable access to adequate housing, without discrimination based on gender, race, disability, faith, place of birth, age, sexual orientation, and other grounds.
This definition was developed by the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Definitions adopted for the review panel on the lack of accessible housing in Canada
Accessible housing
A home that is designed or adapted to remove barriers and enable safe, independent living for all people.
This definition draws on the CRPD (Article 19: Living independently and being included in the community); the ICESCR General Comment 4 & Fact Sheet 21; and guidance from UN-Habitat (Fact Sheet 21/Rev.1)-alongside federal accessibility policy such as CAN/ASC-2.8:2025 Accessible-Ready Housing Standard.
Adaptable Housing
Housing that is designed with flexible features that make it easy and cost effective to add or modify accessibility features over time, so people can remain safely and independently housed as their needs change.
This definition aligns with the definitions and principles found in: the Accessibility Standards Canada's CAN/ASC-2.8:2025 - Accessible-Ready Housing, CMHC's Accessible and Adaptable Housing guidance, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Disability
Any impairment that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person's full and equal participation in society. A disability might include an impairment or functional limitation that is physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication, or sensory. Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or episodic, and they can be apparent to other people or not.
This definition comes from the Accessible Canada Act.
Non-market housing
Non-market housing is owned and operated by the government or non-profit organizations. Rent in non-market housing is typically lower than what you would pay in the private rental market.
Universal design
Sometimes also called inclusive design or barrier-free design, universal design is the design and structure of an environment so that it can be understood, accessed, and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age or ability.
That means that when architects and city planners think about and plan around peoples' diverse needs and abilities (like kids, parents, seniors, people with injuries or illnesses, and people with disabilities) they can create environments that actually meet those needs and abilities.
This definition comes from the Universal Design 101 | Rick Hansen Foundation.
Definitions adapted from the Neha review panel reports
2SLGBTQQIA+
This term includes Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender-diverse individuals and communities.
Communities
This term refers to the populations best placed to design, implement and evaluate housing for their members rather than government defined communities such as municipalities.
Community-based or wrap-around supports
Voluntary services that are flexible to what each person needs. These services aim to support the whole person, not just one issue. Some examples include health care, cultural or spiritual support, food programs, childcare, harm-reduction services, job training, money management, mental-health services, personal care, substance-use support, school or education programs, life-skills coaching, legal help, immigration services, leadership programs, and accessibility supports.
Community-led organization
An organization run by the same people it supports. Because these organizations are part of the community, they understand what people need and are well-placed to offer the right housing, services, and supports. Examples include women's shelters, Indigenous centres, immigrant and refugee-serving groups, Black-led and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations, cultural groups, neighbourhood centres, faith groups, and tenant associations.
Core housing need
This is a way to measure how much inadequate housing there is in Canada. It has two parts:- Living in housing that is inadequate, unsuitable, or unaffordable, and,
- Having an income too low to afford adequate, suitable housing in the same area.
Hidden homelessness
A term to describe when people live in temporary or unstable living situations - like sleeping on a friend's couch or staying with family - because they don't have safe, secure housing. These are not long-term housing solutions, and they often aren't counted in official homelessness numbers. Hidden homelessness is especially common among women, Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse people, including many who are Indigenous, racialized, newcomers, disabled, or young.
Lived expert
A person who has experienced challenges such as homelessness, unsafe or unaffordable housing, or gender-based violence. Their first-hand knowledge helps make housing fairer and more effective. Human rights principles - including "Nothing About Us, Without Us" - say that governments must meaningfully involve people with lived experience in creating, improving, and evaluating housing policies and programs.
Rights-holders, duty-bearers, and responsibility-holders
Rights-holders
Everyone is a rights-holder. This means every person has human rights and should be able to get information about their rights, speak up for them, and act if their rights are not being respected. Groups of people - like Indigenous Peoples - can also hold collective rights. Rights-holders are entitled to fair processes that help fix harm when their rights are not respected.
Duty-bearers
Governments and government agencies are the main duty-bearers. They are responsible for upholding human rights. They must respect people's rights and prevent rights from not being respected. They must also fix problems when rights are not upheld and use all available resources to make sure everyone can fully enjoy their rights.
Responsibility-holders
Everyone - including individuals, organizations, institutions, and businesses - share responsibility for respecting human rights. This means taking reasonable steps to make sure their actions do not harm or limit the rights of others.