Housing
Use of the term “accommodation” refers to housing. You have the right to equal treatment when buying, selling, renting or being evicted from an apartment, house, condominium or commercial property. This right also covers renting or being evicted from a hotel room.
- Policy on human rights and rental housing
- Human rights for tenants (brochure)
- Human rights in housing: an overview for landlords (brochure)
- Writing a fair rental housing ad (fact sheet)
- Guidelines on developing human rights policies and procedures
- Discrimination based on disability and the duty to accommodate: Information for housing providers
On municipal responsibilities in planning and licensing housing:
For other publications on housing, click “Resource Types” on the left-hand panel.
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January 12, 2012 - I am writing to express concern about the proposed plan to sell the TCHC’s scattered housing units. This plan has the potential to negatively impact individuals and groups protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code).
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Re: Zoning Application ZAR-11-034
Your Worship and Councillors, I am concerned about the human rights implications of the zoning application by the Lynwood Charlton Centre, to be considered at your Council meeting on January 25, 2012.
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City of Waterloo Council Meeting - May 9, 2011 - Proposed rental housing licensing By-law (Speaking notes by Barbara Hall)
Speaking notes by Barbara Hall
Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission
Check against deliveryIntroduction
Mayor and Members of Council, over the past few months, staff of the City of Waterloo have worked closely with us at the Ontario Human Rights Commission – the OHRC – to create a rental housing licensing by-law that respects and advances the human rights of tenants while meeting, as much as possible, the City's operational needs.
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Housing
From: Time for action: Advancing human rights for older Ontarians
“Government does not recognize housing as a human right.”
(Older Women’s Network)Throughout the consultation process, the Commission heard concerns about the need for more accessible and affordable housing and for special needs housing for seniors including those who are homeless. Submissions also highlighted that the principle of “aging in place” is central to any discussion, policy or program efforts concerning housing for older persons.
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6. Housing accommodation
From: Policy on discrimination against older people because of age
Section 2 of the Code protects older persons against discrimination in housing. This right applies to renting, being evicted, building rules and regulations, repairs and use of services and facilities. Housing includes a range of accommodation options including rental accommodation, condominiums, retirement homes and care facilities. There can be some overlap between housing and services, for example seniors’ residences in which services such as housekeeping, meals or medical assistance are provided.
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Housing
From: Human rights and the family in Ontario
The ground of family status was added to the Code in 1982. Until 1986, the Code contained an exception permitting residential buildings or parts of residential buildings to be designated as adult only. Unlike in the areas of employment and services, there has been significant litigation regarding family status issues in the area of housing, particularly in the Ontario context. -
VI. Housing
From: The cost of caring: Report on the consultation on discrimination on the basis of family status
1. Introduction
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X. Housing
From: Policy and guidelines on discrimination because of family status
Section 2 of the Code prohibits discrimination in housing based on family status. This right applies to renting, being evicted, building rules and regulations, repairs, harassment, and use of services and facilities.
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Building on a 50-year legacy: human rights and housing
From: Annual Report 2010-2011: Looking back, moving forward
Housing in the news
When discussing a bill to prohibit discrimination in housing, Liberal leader John Wintermeyer said the bill didn’t go far enough, because it only applied to rental housing with more than six units.
“We are in no way interfering with the rights of individuals to choose their own friends and operate their own homes as they see fit,” said Premier Leslie Frost.
Reginal Gisborn (CCF) hoped that this was only the beginning in promoting equal opportunity in housing accommodation.
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Adding rental housing to the online learning mix
From: Annual Report 2010-2011: Looking back, moving forward
On December 10, 2010, to mark International Human Rights Day, the OHRC launched its second e-learning module, at an event hosted by the York Centre for Human Rights. This module provides online learning and training for everyone who needs information on human rights issues that come up in rental housing.