Imagine finding the perfect apartment, close to work, affordable, and in a neighbourhood you love. Now imagine discovering that the doorway is too narrow for your wheelchair, there’s no elevator, and the bathroom isn’t big enough for you to get around safely.
For millions of disabled Canadians, this isn’t just a frustrating scenario; it’s a reality. Accessible, affordable housing is more than hard to find; it’s nearly impossible in many places. And yet, despite how critical it is, accessible housing remains an afterthought in our national conversation.
It’s time for that to change. Accessible housing should be a national priority – not tomorrow, not eventually, but right now.
The Scope of the Problem
Let’s start with the facts. According to Statistics Canada, more than 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older identify as having a disability. That’s one in four people. And as our population ages, that number is only going to grow.
Yet, across the country, the number of homes that are truly accessible (ones that meet basic standards like no-step entrances, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, and reachable countertops) is shockingly small. Fewer than 5% of available units in many cities meet even minimal accessibility standards.
Affordable housing is already in crisis, but for disabled people, the challenges are even greater. Many are forced to choose between affordability and accessibility, if they can find an accessible unit at all. Others end up staying in unsafe, inaccessible homes because there’s simply nowhere else to go.
This isn’t just inconvenient. It’s dangerous. It limits independence. It increases isolation. And it pushes people with disabilities further into poverty and housing insecurity.
Why Accessible Housing Benefits Everyone
It’s easy to think of accessible housing as something that only benefits people with disabilities, but the reality is much broader.
Accessibility benefits aging parents who want to stay in their homes longer. It helps families with young children who need stroller-friendly spaces. It supports people recovering from surgery or injury. In short, accessible design makes housing better for everyone at every stage of life.
When we build with accessibility in mind from the start, through principles of universal design, we create homes and communities that are safer, more inclusive, and more adaptable.
And, contrary to popular belief, making homes accessible doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. Simple features like no-step entries, wider doorways, lever-style door handles, and barrier-free bathrooms can be incorporated at the design stage for a fraction of the cost it would take to retrofit later.
Accessible housing isn’t just about meeting the needs of today; it’s about preparing for the future.
The Policy Gap
Despite the clear need, Canada still lacks a national accessible housing strategy. Programs like the National Housing Strategy have begun to acknowledge the importance of accessibility, but progress is slow, and demand continues to far outstrip supply.
We need bold, coordinated action. That means:
- Stronger building codes that mandate accessibility standards.
- Increased funding for accessible, affordable housing developments.
- Clear targets and timelines for increasing the stock of accessible homes.
- Involvement of people with lived experience in the design and policymaking process.
Accessibility should not be left to chance or treated as an optional upgrade. It should be a baseline expectation, part of what it means to build decent, inclusive communities.
It’s a Human Right
Ultimately, accessible housing is about more than ramps and grab bars. It’s about human rights.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Canada ratified in 2010, affirms the right to accessible, adequate housing. Yet without meaningful action, those rights remain out of reach for too many.
Housing is the foundation for so many parts of life, including health, employment, education, and community participation. Without safe, accessible housing, disabled people are denied the opportunity to fully participate in society.
We can’t call ourselves an inclusive country if we continue to ignore this fundamental gap.
Moving Forward
The good news? We know what needs to be done. Accessible housing isn’t a mystery or an impossibility. It’s a matter of political will, policy leadership, and public commitment.
It’s time to listen to the people living this reality every day. It’s time to design and build homes that reflect the full diversity of our population. And it’s time to recognize that accessible housing isn’t a niche issue; it’s a national priority.
Because everyone deserves a place to call home, one they can enter, navigate, and live in with dignity and pride.