The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) was founded in 1987 as the only organization in Canada with a primary focus on promoting human rights in housing. Thirty-five years later, we continue to carry out our mandate through direct tenant support, public education, research, law reform, casework, test case litigation and using international human rights law and mechanisms. We advance the right to housing by serving renters to help them stay housed, providing education and training about housing rights, and advancing rights-based housing policy through research, policy development, advocacy and litigation. Every year, we provide much needed supports to hundreds of renters facing eviction and human rights issues in their housing. We also provide education on housing law, human rights and eviction prevention to a variety of audiences, including vulnerable renters, housing providers and service providers. As we continue to serve clients to help them stay housed and educate housing providers about their responsibilities, we are also compiling research and data to ignite public action and encourage decision makers at municipal, provincial and national levels to implement the right to housing for all. This work includes engaging in strategic litigation as a means to advance rights-based housing policy where traditional avenues of policy advocacy may not be effective. The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights’ presence is expanding to all corners of the country through our partnerships at municipal, regional, provincial and national levels, as we work to build and nurture coalitions to advance the right to housing movement in Canada. Our work also extends beyond our national borders, and we continue supporting efforts to advance the right to housing at the international level, as we have for over three decades.
