For five-year-old Beau, living with spinal muscular atrophy means navigating a world not built for his needs. Each day, his parents carry him from room to room in their Beamsville, Ontario home because the doorways are too narrow for his wheelchair. Beau’s story is emblematic of a larger crisis—Canada’s lack of accessible housing.
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As the housing crisis deepens, families like Beau's face compounded challenges. While policymakers and developers work to increase housing supply, accessibility often remains an afterthought, leaving those with disabilities to struggle in spaces that don’t meet their basic needs. This gap reflects systemic neglect of an urgent issue that affects millions of Canadians, including families, aging individuals, and people with disabilities.
A Persistent Problem
Accessible housing in Canada is woefully inadequate. Decades ago, people like Tracy Odell, who also lives with spinal muscular atrophy, faced significant hurdles in finding accessible living spaces. Today, not much has changed. Odell recalls her youth in Toronto, where she had to rely on nursing homes or make do with apartments that lacked essential accommodations. Now 66, she still grapples with limitations in her home, which she describes as “good enough” but far from ideal.
Despite technological advancements and growing awareness of disability rights, the availability of accessible housing options remains sparse. A recent report from the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University paints a grim picture of the housing landscape. Director Jutta Treviranus emphasizes that while Canada faces a housing crisis for everyone, the lack of accessible housing is exponentially more severe.
Barriers to Inclusion
For families like Beau's, the lack of accessible housing creates daily struggles. Narrow doorways, inaccessible bathrooms, and unreachable light switches mean Beau cannot perform basic tasks independently. His parents worry about the future when he becomes too heavy for them to lift.
Accessible homes are not just a luxury—they are a necessity for enabling independence and dignity for individuals with disabilities. Yet, Canada continues to build homes primarily designed for able-bodied individuals, perpetuating barriers for those with different needs.
Federal housing advocate Marie-Josee Houle has called for accessibility to be built into the foundation of Canada’s National Housing Strategy. She recommends ensuring all new government-funded housing units meet minimum accessibility standards, such as wider doorways, level entrances, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
Cost vs. Benefit
One argument often raised against accessible housing is cost. However, studies by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) debunk this myth. Retrofitting an existing home to make it accessible can cost between 185% to 779% more than incorporating accessibility during initial construction.
In contrast, adding accessibility features to new homes carries a modest cost increase of just 6% to 12%, depending on the city and housing type. Given Canada’s aging population and rising demand for adaptable housing, investing in accessible design upfront is not only equitable but also economically sensible.
Innovative Solutions
Some developers are beginning to embrace accessible housing. The Daniels Corporation in the Greater Toronto Area launched its Accessibility Designed Program in 2017, offering units tailored for people using mobility devices. These homes feature roll-in showers, roll-out balconies, and accessible common areas.
To date, Daniels has completed 38 accessible units, with more under construction. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall need. As Heela Omarkhail, Daniels’ vice-president of social impact, notes, most housing developments in Canada still fail to include even basic accessibility features.
Universal Design: A Path Forward
Advocates like Kate Chung of the Accessible Housing Network argue for universal design as the solution. This approach creates homes that are functional for people of all abilities and ages, whether they have a disability now or may develop one in the future. Universal design ensures that individuals can live in their homes long-term, even if their needs change due to aging, illness, or injury.
In 2024, the federal government launched the Housing Design Catalogue program, which aims to streamline housing design and construction while prioritizing accessibility. This initiative, if properly implemented, could be a game-changer for Canada’s housing crisis.
The Human Impact
The lack of accessible housing is not just a policy failure—it’s a human tragedy. For families like Beau's, it means daily physical and emotional strain. For individuals like Odell, it means making do in spaces that fall short of providing true independence.
Moreover, the issue extends beyond individuals to entire communities. When people with disabilities are excluded from accessible housing, they are often forced into institutional settings or left isolated in unsuitable living conditions. This segregation perpetuates inequality and undermines efforts to build an inclusive society.
A Call to Action
The time to act is now. Canada’s goal of building 3.87 million new homes by 2031 presents a unique opportunity to embed accessibility into the fabric of its housing infrastructure. Policymakers at all levels of government must prioritize accessibility in building codes, provide financial incentives for inclusive design, and ensure that all new developments meet universal design standards.
Developers, too, have a role to play. By adopting accessible and adaptable designs from the outset, they can help bridge the gap and address the urgent needs of millions of Canadians.
Conclusion
Accessible housing is more than a matter of convenience—it’s a fundamental right. As Canada confronts its housing crisis, it must seize the opportunity to build homes that work for everyone. For Beau, Odell, and countless others, accessible housing isn’t just about overcoming barriers; it’s about opening doors to independence, dignity, and a better quality of life.
With bold action and inclusive policies, Canada can turn its housing crisis into a catalyst for meaningful change, ensuring that no one is left behind.
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