IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT TO HOUSING IN CANADA - BUDGETING AND ALLOCATING

Under the NHSA, the federal government recognizes the right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right and commits to the “progressive realization of the right to housing” as recognized in the ICESCR. [...] In practice, however, critical shortcomings and gaps have been identified that must be addressed to meet the requirements of the commitments to the right to housing in the National Housing Strategy Act. [...] 13 SECURING THE RIGHT TO HOUSING THROUGH NHS FUNDING MECHANISMS The gaps and shortcomings in the 2017 NHS indicate that Canada is falling short in meeting the commitments in the NHSA to use its maximum available resources and all appropriate means to implement the right to adequate housing for all, and particularly for those in greatest housing need. [...] While the federal government must take steps to ensure that the NHS and its funding streams better align with the commitments in the NHSA and international human rights standards and guidelines, there are also actions that individuals and civil society organizations can take to advance the right to housing. [...] One of those mechanisms, the Federal Housing Advocate, can receive submissions on systemic housing issues from impacted communities and is obligated to investigate these issues and provide recommendations to the new Minister of Housing to ensure that the funding that is available is taken advantage of by the provinces, territories and municipalities that are responsible for the delivery and implem.