About Us
Table of Contents
Who We Are
The National Indigenous Women’s Housing Network (NIWHN) is a movement of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples who are dedicated to improving the living situations of Indigenous women and girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse persons across Turtle Island and ending incidents of becoming displaced from our lands and unsheltered. All members have the lived experience of needing adequate shelter and a place to call home.
Our Human Rights Claims
The Women’s National Housing & Homelessness Network (WNHHN) and the National Indigenous Women’s Housing Network (formerly the National Indigenous Feminist Housing Working Group) submitted two Human Rights Claims to the Federal Housing Advocate.
We launched our Claims on the steps of Parliament in Ottawa on June 14, 2022, joined by national media outlets and advocates from across the country.
We wrote these Claims to demand a better future for ourselves, our children, our communities, and the planet. We came together to utilize the new procedures under the National Housing Strategy Act to claim our right to housing and our right to substantive equality. Our Claims spotlight violations of the right to housing experienced by marginalized women and gender-diverse people across the country, calling for immediate action.
These Claims were developed by Human Rights Task Forces convened by the WNHHN and NIWHN over 6 months. Task Force participants spanned diverse regions, demographics, professions, and expertise. Lived expert leadership and guidance was the central pillar of this work!
These Claims were developed by Human Rights Task Forces convened by the WNHHN and NIWHN over 6 months. Task Force participants spanned diverse regions, demographics, professions, and expertise. Lived expert leadership and guidance was the central pillar of this work!
Understanding the Right to Housing
In 2019, the federal government passed historic legislation in the National Housing Strategy Act (the Act), which recognizes housing as a human right and commits the government to further the progressive realization of the right to adequate housing.
How do we hold the Government of Canada accountable for our right to housing?
To hold the Government of Canada accountable for our right to housing, we can engage with the accountability mechanisms established under the National Housing Strategy Act (NHSA). The Act established:
- The National Housing Council: The National Housing Council is an advisory body that promotes participation and inclusion in the development of Canada’s housing policy.
- The Federal Housing Advocate: An independent, nonpartisan watchdog, responsible for making recommendations to further the realization of the right to housing in Canada.
- Review Panels: Review Panels consist of three members of the National Housing Council who convene human rights-based hearings on systemic issues related to the right to housing.
The Minister must then respond to the review panel’s report within 120 days and table that response in the House of Commons and in the Senate
Marie-Josée Houle, Federal Housing Advocate
Who is the Federal Housing Advocate and what can she do?
The Federal Housing Advocate is an independent, nonpartisan watchdog, empowered to drive meaningful action to address housing need and homelessness in Canada. The Advocate is responsible for making recommendations to improve Canada’s housing laws, policies, and programs so that they enable people and families in Canada to have access to adequate, affordable and safe housing that meets their needs.
Roadmap to Claiming our Right to Housing
Current Review Panel
Review panels are essential oversight and accountability mechanisms established in the National Housing Strategy Act. Their purpose is to conduct human rights based hearings on systemic issues related to the right to housing. Review panels are a human rights-based process allowing rights-holders (like you!) to share your lived experience and expertise of housing issues that appear in your communities and other communities across the country.
Ultimately, Review Panels provide the Government of Canada with evidence-based opinions and recommended actions needed to uphold the right to housing as guaranteed by international human rights law. These panels offer a fresh way for affected individuals to seek justice, placing their dignity and rights at the forefront of Canada’s housing policies and investments. You can find more information about review panels here.
Remember that the fight for housing rights is an ongoing process. Participating in the right to housing mechanisms such as a National Review Panel or submitting evidence to the Federal Housing Advocate is an important step. By maintaining momentum, staying informed, and adapting to new challenges, you can contribute to long-lasting positive changes in housing policies and practices.
