Submission to the National Housing Council Review Panel on the Lack of Accessible Housing in Canada

Along with partners, the NIA was pleased to provide a written submission to the National Housing Council Review Panel on the lack of accessible housing in Canada. Canada is in the midst of a demographic transition.

As of July 2025, over 8.1 million Canadians are aged 65 or older (19.5%), and this proportion is projected to reach approximately 24% by the end of the 2030s. Additionally, the proportion of Canadians reporting a disability increases markedly with age. Older Canadians with disabilities can face the double burden of inaccessible housing and insufficient income. The convergence of an ageing population and increasing rates of disability means that the need for accessible housing will only intensify. Despite the statutory recognition of the right to adequate housing under the National Housing Strategy Act, persons with disabilities constitute part of the most acutely affected populations in the accessible housing crisis, yet they remain systematically deprioritized in housing policy, funding allocation, and legal accountability. The submission highlights key areas of action to enhance housing accessibility in Canada for older adults and those with disabilities.