What is Housing Justice

Housing justice is the belief that everyone has the right to safe, affordable, and stable housing, no matter their income, background, or identity. At its core, housing justice treats housing as a human right, not a luxury or investment. It’s about creating sustainable, equitable homes for people and addressing systemic issues like racial discrimination, income inequality, and unchecked real estate speculation.

 

The housing justice movement advocates for a range of solutions to ensure housing security for all, from tenant rights and rent control to building non-profit, cooperative housing. Here’s a breakdown of why housing justice matters, the impact of the current housing crisis, and what we can do to fix it.

 

Housing Justice for All

 

What does housing justice look like?

 

To achieve true housing justice, we need to go beyond basic shelter. International standards for adequate housing include criteria such as:

 

1. Legal security of tenure – Legal protections against eviction and harassment.
2. Access to services – Reliable water, electricity, sanitation, and emergency services.
3. Affordability – Housing costs should allow people to meet other essential needs.
4. Habitability – Homes should be safe, spacious, and protect against health risks.
5. Accessibility – Especially for vulnerable groups like seniors and people with disabilities.
6. Location – Close to essential services like jobs, schools, and healthcare.
7. Cultural adequacy – Housing should respect cultural identity and diversity.

 

These principles guide housing justice initiatives around the world, whether it’s through rent control, tenant organizing, fair housing laws, or inclusive zoning policies.

 

Housing Crisis is Out of Control

 

Today’s housing crisis affects millions across Canada. With rents climbing far faster than wages and real estate speculation driving prices up, more and more people are being priced out of their communities. Low-income households are particularly hard-hit, facing precarious conditions, unsafe housing, and, in many cases, the risk of homelessness.

 

The crisis is especially severe for marginalized communities, including Indigenous populations, who have long faced inadequate housing conditions. Indigenous communities in particular experience housing that is often in serious disrepair, with much of on-reserve housing needing urgent improvements or replacements.

 

This crisis is fueled by a real estate market focused on profit over people, along with policies that favor investors over tenants and those without housing. SEIZE’s From Crisis to Consensus report points out the need for large-scale, collaborative solutions, emphasizing policy changes and grassroots action to address the housing needs of communities across Canada. As demand for affordable housing continues to soar—especially in urban areas—these solutions are vital for creating a more equitable and sustainable housing landscape.

 

2008 Housing Crisis Versus Now

 

The 2008 housing crisis stemmed from risky loans, speculative real estate practices, and a global financial collapse, largely impacting homeowners who couldn’t sustain their mortgage payments. Today’s housing crisis is different. It affects a broader group—especially renters—who struggle with high rents, stagnant wages, and a shrinking pool of affordable housing options.

 

In The Tenant Class, Ricardo Tranjan highlights how today’s housing market has evolved into what he calls a “financialized” system. In this model, housing is increasingly controlled by large corporate landlords and investment firms, who treat it as a financial asset rather than a basic human need. Tranjan argues that this shift prioritizes profits over people, pushing rents higher and creating more precarious conditions for tenants. In fact, large investors often buy up rental properties, raise rents, and cut costs, worsening living conditions for renters and pricing low-income households out of neighborhoods.

 

Tranjan’s work underscores a major difference from 2008: today’s crisis isn’t a sudden financial crash but a systemic issue driven by housing’s transformation into a commodity. Renters, who now make up over 33% of the population in Canada and even more in urban centers, are the hardest hit, with little control over rapidly increasing rents.

 

Tranjan also points out that while the 2008 crisis led to significant government bailouts and intervention, current responses have not addressed the core problem: housing being treated as a market-driven commodity. The rise of what Tranjan calls the “tenant class” is a response to this, as renters are organizing to challenge a system that fails to recognize housing as a human right. This collective action among renters, coupled with Tranjan’s research, calls for a shift in policies that prioritize tenants’ rights, affordable housing investments, and rent control.

 

As Tranjan and other housing advocates note, addressing the current crisis requires a fundamental shift away from housing as a profit-driven industry to housing as a human right. Today’s housing justice movement, including events like the Housing Justice Convergence, aims to address these issues by advocating for de-commodified housing solutions, including publicly funded social housing, stronger tenant protections, and increased support for housing cooperatives.

 

How Can the Housing Crisis Be Fixed?

 

The Housing Justice Convergence, organized by SEIZE and allies in March 2025, aims to build a united front to address the housing crisis. The convergence will bring together tenants, housing cooperative members, policy advocates, and funders to push for systemic change. There is an emerging consensus among housing justice groups that massive investment in non-profit and cooperative housing is essential, as well as strategies to counter the speculative market.

 

Key Solutions to Fix the Housing Crisis

 

1. Increase Investment in Non-Profit Housing – Supporting affordable housing projects and cooperatives can provide long-term, stable housing options outside the speculative market.
2. Implement Rent Control – Rent control policies can limit rent hikes, preventing displacement and keeping housing affordable.
3. Support Tenant Rights and Organizing – Tenant unions and organizing efforts empower renters to advocate for fair treatment, better conditions, and protections from eviction.
4. Expand Public and Social Housing – Government-funded housing for low-income families is crucial for meeting the needs of those who can’t afford market rates.
5. Introduce Inclusionary Zoning – Requiring a percentage of new developments to be affordable can create more low-cost housing.

 

The “From Crisis to Consensus” report by SEIZE reveals that housing groups across Canada favor these approaches, with strong support for rent control and non-profit housing. It also notes that while private incentives for rental housing lack support, direct funding for social housing receives near-universal backing.

 

The convergence will be a chance to accelerate collaboration, create policy clarity, and advocate for these shared goals among housing justice groups and policymakers.

FAQs About Housing Justice

What does housing justice mean?

Housing justice means that everyone has a right to safe, stable, and affordable housing, treated as a human right rather than a commodity.

Why is housing justice important?

Housing impacts health, stability, and equality in society. When people can afford safe homes, communities thrive, and economic disparities decrease.

What is the Housing Justice Convergence?

The Housing Justice Convergence, happening in March 2025, is a gathering of housing advocates, including tenant unions, cooperatives, and non-profit developers, working to create solutions for Canada’s housing crisis.

How does rent control support housing justice?

Rent control caps how much rent can increase, keeping housing affordable for renters and reducing displacement.

How is Canada’s housing crisis different now compared to 2008?

The 2008 crisis affected mostly homeowners due to the mortgage collapse, while today’s crisis impacts renters and low-income households as rents and housing prices soar.

How can I support housing justice?

You can support housing justice by advocating for fair policies, supporting tenant rights, donating to housing justice organizations, and getting involved in community efforts for affordable housing.