In the fight for housing justice, data is power. Numbers help illustrate the scale of the crisis, but lived experience gives those numbers meaning. On this World Day of Social Justice (February 20), we highlight how combining data-driven evidence with personal testimonies strengthens advocacy efforts, ensuring that policies reflect the realities of those most affected by the housing crisis.
When making your written or report submission to the Neha Review Panel (due March 14!), evidence and data can be helpful in making your case for critical change.
Why Data Matters in Housing Advocacy
Data plays a critical role in driving systemic change. Governments, policymakers, and the public are often moved by hard numbers—rising homelessness rates, shelter occupancy levels, rent increases, and eviction statistics. However, these figures alone do not tell the full story. When paired with the lived experiences of women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people, data becomes a powerful tool for revealing systemic failures, challenging harmful policies, and pushing for solutions rooted in human rights.
Lived experience as data? Testimonies from those directly impacted by housing insecurity provide qualitative evidence that complements statistics. Stories help shape narratives that policymakers cannot ignore, demonstrating the urgency and human cost of inaction. This is why collecting and presenting both qualitative and quantitative data is essential in advocacy.
Using the “Evidence Collection” Template
Our Mobilizing on the Right to Housing toolkit includes a Evidence Collection Template, designed to help advocates gather and present compelling evidence. While filling out this template, keep these helpful ideas in mind:
- Identifying key data points: What statistics support the issue? What personal testimonies reinforce these numbers?
- Documenting lived experience: How can firsthand accounts be collected ethically and respectfully?
- Presenting data effectively: What formats (reports, infographics, public presentations) best communicate the findings?
By using this template, you can build strong, evidence-based cases for change.
Examples of Data Strengthening Advocacy
Across Canada, data-driven campaigns have played a key role in securing housing justice victories. For example:
- The National Housing Strategy Act (2019): Persistent advocacy, backed by data on homelessness and inadequate housing, led to the recognition of housing as a human right in Canada.
- Eviction Prevention Initiatives: In various municipalities, tenant advocacy groups have used eviction data and testimonies to push for stronger tenant protections and rental assistance programs.
- Encampment Advocacy: Data collected from encampment residents has been crucial in legal battles opposing forced evictions and demanding long-term housing solutions.
Taking Action: Your Role in Housing Justice
Using data for advocacy is something anyone can do. Whether you are a community champion, researcher, or someone with lived experience, you can contribute by:
- Documenting local housing trends and experiences.
- Collecting testimonies and ensuring they are used ethically.
- Collaborating with organizations that analyze and publish housing data.
- Using the Evidence Collection Template from our toolkit to strengthen your advocacy efforts.
On this World Day of Social Justice, let’s commit to using data—both numbers and narratives—to push for housing policies that uphold dignity, equity, and human rights. Facts and figures alone won’t create change, but when paired with real stories, they become undeniable evidence for action.
For more resources to develop your written or report submission to Neha, explore our full toolkit here.
Ready to make your submission? Visit our Make a Submission page for all the links and info you need!
