Housing is a human right

Housing is a right, not a luxury.

More than a roof over one’s head, housing represents the right to security, peace, and dignity for all British Columbians. Right now, the BC Government can be a leader as the first province to adopt housing as a human right in provincial legislation. This would provide a much-needed framework for elected officials at all levels of government to think about housing and housing strategies, as well as the Reconciliation Strategy in British Columbia. 

We must ensure that Indigenous peoples have access to culturally appropriate and safe housing. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs identified that Indigenous peoples disproportionately experience housing insecurity and homelessness. Although Indigenous peoples make up 2.2% of Vancouver’s population, they compose approximately 39% of people experiencing homelessness. The disproportionate rates at which Indigenous peoples experience housing insecurity and homelessness is a direct legacy of colonization and intergenerational trauma. While we work together to ensure Indigenous people are not homeless on homelands, we must also work to ensure that new social housing being built across the province respects the rights of Indigenous peoples.

We are calling on the BC Government to: 

• Make a clear commitment to the right to housing in British Columbia by putting this clearly in law and policy to ensure we continue our focus on the crisis faced by British Columbians for the long-term

• Prioritize housing development for people facing the most urgent need

• Develop a strategy for housing human right that has an Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Plus (IGBA+) lens

• Implement accountability processes to address systemic inequality in housing outcomes

• Ensure forefront participation and oversight by people affected by homelessness and inadequate housing where they have opportunities for input, leadership and decision-making