I was honoured to share the importance of a rights-based approach to housing and homelessness with federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for human rights today. (1/3)

The deadline to provide a written submission to the National Housing Council’s review panel on #AccessibleHousing is June 22! Make a written submission here: nhc-cnl.ca/review-panel...

People with disabilities have the right to equal access to housing. But, many people with disabilities still face serious housing barriers. We developed a framework that tracks housing outcomes and examines solutions. Watch to learn more about this work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X8I...

Le rapport final de Neha formule des recommandations visant à permettre aux femmes et aux personnes issues de la diversité de genre de vivre dans des logements sûrs, adéquats et abordables. (1/3)

Neha's final report makes recommendations so that women and gender-diverse people can live in safe, adequate, and affordable housing. The Federal Housing Advocate and Chief Commissioner thank the panel members and urge implementation of the recommendations. (1/2)

Today is a time to honour and remember the Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals who have been murdered or gone missing.

Parliament is currently drafting #BillC20, the Build Canada Homes Act. It proposes the purpose of #BuildCanadaHomes is to “promote, support and develop the supply of affordable housing in #Canada” – a much-needed priority. At the same time, there are opportunities to strengthen the Bill.

Join us on April 30 for a fascinating discussion on #encampments in Canada – and what legal responses are needed. Learn more and register: ⬇️

#Encampments continue to be part of life in Canada. Join us for a webinar discussion on what legal responses are needed in the face of the crisis. 📅 April 30, 2026 ⏰ 3:00–4:30 PM ET Learn more and register: ciaj-icaj.ca/en/upcoming-...

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Rights-Based Approach to the Next National Housing Strategy webinar. Register here 👇:

Pleased to attend the Ottawa Health and Housing Symposium this morning, where experts discussed the intersections of homelessness and health. It was an opportunity to focus on proven solutions for integrating housing, healthcare, and social services. (1/2)

The Federal Housing Advocate commends the extension of federal funding to support people experiencing #homelessness and living in #encampments.

News: Today, we published a series of new reports aimed at the federal government, offering essential guidance on how it can strengthen #Canada’s next National Housing Strategy. (1/5)

Pleased to present to the City of Toronto's Housing Rights Advisory Committee on the critical role of property standards in maintaining adequate housing for renters. Everyone has the right to live in housing that meets standards of safety, health & dignity. More: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

There's still time to register! Join us on April 14 (12:00–1:30 PM ET) for a conversation on how we can better shape the next National #Housing Strategy. More info and registration below:

Join us on April 14 (12:00–1:30 PM ET) for a conversation on how we can better shape the next National Housing Strategy. More info and registration below:

Today alongside my colleague Christopher T. Sutton, Canada’s Accessibility Commissioner @accessibilityca.bsky.social, we had the opportunity to see the progress on a new building in #Toronto that will create intentional #housing for people with disabilities. (1/2)

Great to participate in the Accessibility Professional Network conference alongside my colleague Christopher T. Sutton, Canada's Accessibility Commissioner, & Doramy Ehling, CEO of @rickhansenfdn.bsky.social. An important conversation on #AccessibleHousing –everyone has a role to play. –MJH #APN2026

Join us for an engaging discussion on shaping the next National #Housing Strategy, and how it can keep human rights in mind. 📅 April 14, 2026 ⏰ 12:00–1:30 PM EDT Learn more and register here 👇 chra-achru.ca/a-rights-bas... #RightToHousing #cdnpoli #HumanRights

The National Housing Council’s review panel on #AccessibleHousing is now open for contributions! You can contribute to the review panel by making a written submission: nhc-cnl.ca/review-panel... (1/3)

On International Women’s Day, we are highlighting an issue that cannot wait. Women deserve access to safe and inclusive housing that meets their needs. (1/2)

On International Women’s Day, we are highlighting an issue that cannot wait. Women deserve access to safe and inclusive housing that meets their needs.

NEWS: Two years after the release of her landmark report on homeless #encampments, the Federal Housing Advocate continues to urge all levels of government to do more to address the human rights crisis of homeless encampments in Canada.

Great to be in Halifax this week, with a focus on reinforcing that housing is a human right and a social determinant of health. I heard clearly from stakeholders these two issues must be addressed in tandem.

News: The National Housing Council just announced the launch of a review panel on #AccessibleHousing. Every person in Canada — regardless of who they are, their background, or their ability — must be able to access to affordable and accessible housing.

Stay informed, stay connected! Our newsletter is your go-to source for updates, announcements, activities, and events from the Office of the Federal Housing Advocate. Sign up today for news delivered right to your inbox! 📩 bit.ly/4m7dHuj

Always good to connect with community leaders like Darren Graham from Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa. We attended today’s University of Ottawa session focused on transformational change for #homeless shelters.

Looking for a new #podcast to enjoy? Listen in to these two great episodes featuring Marie-Josée Houle, the Federal Housing Advocate 🎙️: 🔹 Advancing the right to housing in Canada with the On The Way Home podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0A...

New blog post from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness: What are the impacts of federal encampments funding on people experiencing #homelessness and their human rights?

In case you missed it: Check out our new report that details what we heard about federal, provincial and municipal responses to #encampments. ➡️ www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/ne...

The cost of living is leaving people behind. This #HumanRightsDay, let’s treat access to the essentials of life as a matter of rights. We are stronger when everyone is included. Read our statement: www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/ne...

#HumanRights shape our everyday experiences – from the choices we make to the responsibilities we share. This #HumanRightsDay, let’s celebrate all the ways human rights touch our lives, protect people, and make a fairer Canada: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmxg...

I was pleased to join researchers, community partners and people with lived experience at the #OttawaU Forum on Homelessness and Community-Engaged Research. These exchanges remind us how essential it is to bring diverse voices together to shape lasting solutions to #homelessness. –MJH

Tomorrow on #December6, we remember the 14 women whose lives were taken simply because they were women. Gender-based violence must be confronted in our communities. To end femicide, we must challenge misogyny and hate wherever we see it. Learn more: www.canada.ca/en/women-gen...

"People in encampments are in a daily struggle for survival, and public perceptions about their safety are being weaponized to justify the criminalization of poverty and homelessness." Thank you, @housinglogement.bsky.social. www.thetrillium.ca/news/housing... .

NEWS: In a new report published today, the Federal Housing Advocate is recommending permanent federal investments in human rights-based responses to #encampments. Consult the full news release ➡️ www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/resources/ne...

I welcome today’s release of the National Housing Council’s #Neha review panel reports on the right to housing for women and gender diverse people: nhc-cnl.ca/publications... Read more on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

🎙️New podcast! Don’t miss the new podcast on the importance of accessible housing from the @ciaj-icaj.bsky.social. Listen here: ciaj-icaj.ca/en/podcasts/...

As we mark #NationalHousingDay, it is a reminder that adequate, accessible, safe and affordable housing is a human right. Yet for many in Canada, particularly people with disabilities, this right remains unmet.

We need to build more housing that will meet people's needs today, and in the future. If housing is designed with these considerations in mind from the start, it costs less money and is easier to retrofit when people’s needs change – whether that’s ageing in place or acquiring a disability.

In Canada, over 8 million people aged 15 and older live with a disability. And everyone’s abilities evolve over time and as we grow older. Building more accessible housing is part of meeting Canada’s #HumanRights obligations. #Accessible housing matters to us all. 🌐 #NationalHousingDay

Building accessible housing must be a priority. And housing policy plays a key role. 📜 The federal government is about to make a historic investment in non-market and supportive housing through the Build Canada Homes agency.

Let's make accessible housing a priority. Both #housing and #accessibility are fundamental human rights. Let's work together to build communities where everyone can live with dignity and independence. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UIo...

#NationalHousingDay is Nov. 22. Follow along all week as we highlight accessible housing in Canada. 🏡 Both housing and accessibility are fundamental to human rights. Inclusion makes us stronger. #NHD

I was pleased to present at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness conference this week alongside Caroline Leblanc. Great discussion about accountability, meaningful engagement, and the right to adequate housing. Thank you all for the rich discussions! –MJH #CAEH25

On #WorldHomelessDay, we renew our call to end homelessness and uphold the rights and dignity of people experiencing it. Today, we’re shining a light on the urgent issue of #encampments in Canada. Meaningful engagement with residents is key to finding lasting, human rights-based solutions.

Your voice matters, and we’re committed to amplifying it. Stay informed and engaged with us on Bluesky and LinkedIn, where your perspective is valued and heard. Subscribe to our mailing list for exclusive updates and join the conversation! bit.ly/4l0LPaA

Last week, I visited Cambridge, Kitchener, London, Hamilton and Toronto to hear from people on the ground about the homelessness crisis and learn how governments are responding to encampments since the release of my report and recommendations in February 2024.

Today, I wrote to the Mayor and City Councillors in Barrie to express my grave concern about a motion being debated tonight to Update the Use of City Property By-law in response to encampments.

Very pleased to meet with the #Toronto Underhoused and Homeless Union yesterday. Thank you for taking the time to share the experience and concerns of people with lived experience of homelessness. I look forward to staying in touch and working together to protect human rights. –MJH