Accessible Housing Needs in Canada
This project examined the extent to which housing meets the accessibility needs of Canadians, building a case for policy reform to ensure accessibility is a key piece of the National Housing Strategy’s progressive realization of the right to housing.
Jump to research outputsHow does Canada’s housing system respond to the accessibility needs of people with disabilities?
This project explores the relationship between housing accessibility and disability inclusion in Canada’s housing system, focusing on the mismatch between existing housing stock and the needs of people requiring accessible units, and examining how policy frameworks, design standards, and institutional practices shape access. By identifying systemic barriers and gaps in provision, the research contributes to ongoing discussions about housing equity and the right to accessible, inclusive housing.
Project Lead(s):
Home Organization:
University of British Columbia
Other Participants:
Community Partner:
Funding stream:
Community-Focused Project
Project Status:
Complete
Background
Safe, affordable, and appropriate housing is a basic human right. While many Canadians are able to find homes that meet their needs, that’s not the case for everyone, especially for people living with disabilities. This project examined the right to safe, adequate and accessible housing that meets the diverse needs of all people with disabilities.
Methodology
The report draws on Canadian and international law, data from the Canadian Survey on Disability, and an original survey of 45 people with disabilities conducted in June–July of 2025. The project engaged with disability-led organizations, including the Accessible Housing Network, to identify systemic barriers and gaps in accessible housing provision across Canada. Following data collection, the researchers conducted a quantitative and qualitative analysis, grouping respondents into those who own their home, those who rent from a for-profit landlord, and those who live in social affordable housing for a holistic understanding of housing barriers for people living with a disability.
Results
This project demonstrated that discrimination is widespread—across all housing types (owner-occupied, renter-occupied, non-profit tenant), accessibility modifications across housing types remain out of reach for most, and inaccessibility forces people to move involuntarily. This project has generated a growing evidence base, including a report, blog posts, research webinars, and an oral hearing panel submission, building a case for accessibility as a core piece of the National Housing Strategy.
Research Outputs
Existing reports, presentation materials, podcasts, webinar recordings, and research summaries.
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Locked Out: How Canada’s Housing System is Failing People with Disabilities
Learn moreNew research from Drs. Colin Phillips and Alina McKay documents discrimination, inaccessibility, and a vicious cycle of under-enforcement that leaves people with disabilities without safe, affordable homes. This blog summarizes their findings and recommendations for strengthening legal protections, expanding accessible housing supply, and improving income supports and enforcement mechanisms.
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The Right to Accessible Housing: Identifying Needs and Building the Right Supply
Report
Learn moreThis report examines the right to adequate housing for Canadians with disabilities, exploring gaps in legal protections, affordability, and accessible housing supply, and what must change.
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Right Fit, Wrong Priority: Federal Funding Pulled from Accessible Housing
Learn moreA critical program in British Columbia that matches accessible housing to wheelchair users has lost its federal funding.
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Research in Progress on Accessible Housing Needs in Canada
Research in Progress Webinar
Learn moreThis Research in Progress webinar will highlight new findings from BSH’s recent Accessible Housing Survey related to the impact of tenure, lack of choice, and inflexible housing systems and dive into new research that investigates the critical gap between the promises of Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS) and the lived reality of people with disabilities…
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Neha Review Panel on Safe, Adequate and Accessible Housing to Meet the Diverse Needs of all People with Disabilities
Neha Panel Oral Hearing
Learn moreThis review panel, featuring BSH Director Dr. Alexandra Flynn, examined the right to safe, adequate and accessible housing that meets the diverse needs of all people with disabilities. The panel also featured Brad Evoy, Executive Director of Disability Justice Network of Ontario and Co-Chair of the Accessible Housing Network—a key partner of this research.
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Why Accessible Housing Still Isn’t Accessible Enough in Canada
Blog Post
Learn moreDespite government promises and some progress, too many Canadians with disabilities still struggle to find homes that truly work for them. While some face major barriers just to get into housing that’s physically accessible, others may have homes with accessibility features but little to no choice about where they live, how they personalize their space,…
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Research in Progress on The Right to Accessible Housing: Identifying Needs and Building the Right Supply
Research in Progress Webinar
Learn moreThe Research in Progress webinar explores the extent to which housing meets the accessibility needs of Canadians. Watch to hear from Accessible Housing Network’s Co-Chair, Brad Evoy, and BSH researchers, Dr. Alina McKay, and Dr. Colin Phillips.
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