About the National Housing Strategy Act
In 2019, Parliament passed the National Housing Strategy Act (the Act), which recognizes housing as a human right and commits the Federal government to further the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing.
The Act establishes accountability tools to help support and monitor the right to housing in Canada, including:
- A National Housing Strategy which supports the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing;
- A National Housing Council (the Council), to oversee the implementation of the strategy (of which the Advocate is an ex officio member); and
- A Federal Housing Advocate (the Advocate), to promote and protect the right to housing in Canada.
The National Housing Council’s duties include promoting participation and inclusion in the development of housing policy; providing advice to the Minister responsible for housing on how to improve housing outcomes; and offering advice on the effectiveness of the National Housing Strategy to the Minister. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is responsible for providing administrative support and services to the National Housing Council.
The Federal Housing Advocate is housed at and supported by the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
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