Week in Review: April 10, 2026

Here’s a roundup of housing news and issues that we noticed this week:

From ECOHH’s social media

• The Federal Housing Advocate has published a series of new reports aimed at the federal government, offering essential guidance on how it can strengthen its housing investments and programs.

  • Canada’s current National Housing Strategy is set to end in 2027–2028, a decade after it was first enacted. As the government looks towards the Strategy’s renewal, now is an opportunity to build on lessons learned. This expert, evidence-based research provides federal decision-makers with valuable insight into what is working, what is not, and where urgent action is needed.

  • The three reports will be formally launched at a webinar hosted by the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association on Tuesday, April 14, from 12–1:30pm EDT.

  • Read the full news release.

  • Register for the webinar on April 14.

• Housing as a human right event - April 17

• National Housing Council recommendations for next phase of National Housing Strategy

Relevant housing news 

• Making homes affordable while cutting emissions in Canada: Improving energy efficiency in housing can cut emissions and lower costs, but it requires targeted policy, better co-ordination and higher standards.

• Some Ottawa renters to see an automatic rent reduction in 2027

• Vigil held for homeless migrant who died on Montreal streets

• Vancouver homeless count shows 12% increase since last tally 

• Critics call new seniors housing policy in Sask. ‘discriminatory’

• Calgary repeals blanket rezoning, considers replacement rules for housing

• Vancouver approved more than 12,500 new homes last year, but fell short of social housing target

• B.C. organizations call on province to end pet bans in rental housing 

• Advocates have little hope social housing needs in Quebec will be addressed soon

• Parking lots for Edmonton Riverhawks' baseball eyed for new housing

• Average Edmonton apartment rent down 2.2% to $1,488

• Councillors, advocates concerned over Vancouver's human rights plan ahead of FIFA World Cup

• Fredericton temporary overnight homeless shelter closing at month’s end

• Tuberculosis found in Prince Albert homeless shelter

• Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo council, non-profits frustrated at province's homeless funding changes

• Seattle aims to open 500 new shelter beds ahead of FIFA World Cup

• Canada housing crisis: Who will build 4 million new homes?

• How to know if your rent increase is legit

• Rent hikes spark outrage among tenants in Montreal’s Park Ex

• New national survey shows many Canadians still dream of homeownership and moving into a bigger space, but the economy getting in the way of fulfilling goals

• Builder says affordability will suffer without blanket rezoning replacement 

• Edmonton man creates an online directory for crisis support

As always, we recommend checking out these sources for additional information on housing and homelessness

• Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) 

• Canadian Centre for Housing Rights

• Canadian Housing & Renewal Association (CHRA) 

• Federal Housing Advocate

• Homeless Hub (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness) 

• Homeward Trust 

• Housing Complex  

• Make the Shift   

• National Right to Housing Network (NRHN)  

• Social Housing & Human Rights (SHHR) 

• Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network