{"id":26227,"date":"2026-07-10T12:26:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T16:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/?page_id=26227"},"modified":"2026-07-10T14:19:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:19:53","slug":"housing-access","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hivlegalnetwork.ca\/site\/housing-access\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Housing Access"},"content":{"rendered":"

OVERVIEW<\/h2>\n
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Click to learn more about Low-Barrier, Harm Reduction Models in Practice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Housing is a fundamental human right. <\/strong>It is essential for human dignity, security, and well-being. It provides a stable foundation for people to live safely and maintain health.<\/p>\n

In Canada, as in other countries, the right to housing is not consistently respected or protected for people who use drugs. The criminalization of people who use drugs means many are contending with stigma, discrimination, surveillance, criminal charges, incarceration, and criminal records \u2014 all of which limit employment and housing opportunities. Some jurisdictions are also contemplating or have passed laws prohibiting public drug consumption, including within dwellings such as tents in public spaces. Additionally, many shelters \u2014 including emergency shelters, shelters for women fleeing violence, and transitional houses \u2014 enforce \u201czero-tolerance\u201d policies, whereby people who use drugs are denied entry or stay. Without stable housing, people who use drugs face greater risks of street violence and hampered access to fundamental care.<\/p>\n

Our work focuses on <\/strong>laws and policies that affect the right to housing among people who use drugs. We are working towards:<\/p>\n