Does Housing First policy seek to fulfil the right to housing? The case of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Housing First (HF) operates on the premise that permanent housing is the first need of people experiencing chronic homelessness. It understands housing as a resource to which everyone is entitled, not a privilege that must be earned. In these respects, HF is consistent with housing as a human right. However, little is known about if or how HF policy seeks to fulfil this right. To address this gap, we conducted keyword and content analyses of HF policy in Alberta, Canada. Direct references to the right to housing were few in number and lacking in detail and justification. Terms related to rights were also seldom referenced, although the presence and absence of ‘conditions’ within HF were discussed. Plans to end homelessness focused on affordability, but failed to consider other necessary components of the right to housing. Greater engagement with international human rights law would provide HF policy with a normative foundation for addressing homelessness as a severe breach of the right to housing.

Keywords:

• Alberta
• homelessness
• Housing First
• right to housing
• policy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) (Grant #: 430-2016-00062).

Notes on contributors

Damian Collins

Damian Collins, PhD, is a Professor of Human Geography at the University of Alberta. His work focuses on public policy responses to the housing affordability and homelessness crises in Canada. His current research interests include Housing First, the right to adequate housing, and Canada's community housing sector.

Madeleine Stout

Madeleine Stout, BA, is a Graduate Student in Human Geography at the University of Alberta. Madeleine's work explores policies and practices around homelessness and service provision, especially in Winter City contexts. Her current research links Winter City policy to the urban livability agenda.