Whereas recognizing housing as a human right fundamentally shifts government motivations by adding critical urgency and responsibility to ensure access to affordable housing meaning housing costs are aligned with income through policies that prevent homelessness, address the escalating housing and homelessness crisis, eliminate discrimination, and prioritize the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations; And whereas the Government of Canada affirmed the right to housing as a matter of international law and enshrined it domestically through the National Housing Strategy Act 2019, recognizing housing as a human right and establishing mechanisms for accountability and inclusion: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call for the BC Government to enshrine housing as a human right in legislation and forthcoming housing and homelessness strategies, ensuring that housing policy in British Columbia is grounded in principles of equity, accessibility, accountability, and the inherent dignity of all people.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Province is taking action every day to address housing challenges, like helping people experiencing homelessness come indoors with the supports they need and making a historic 19-billion investment in non-market housing to create homes where people can afford to live with dignity. BC continues to deliver housing and support services through the provincial Belonging in BC homelessness plan, a Housing First approach, initiatives such as the Homeless Encampment Action Response Team and the Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing program, and with federal-provincial investments through the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments Initiative. Solving the housing crisis will take all levels of government to come together with housing partners. BCs strong housing agenda is aligned with federal objectives to ensure all people living in BC have access to safe, affordable and inclusive housing; and is focused on speeding up the delivery of new homes, increasing the supply of middle-income housing, fighting speculation and helping those who need it the most.