Collective demands for just housing

The following are our collective demands for housing:

1. We need self-determination and control over our own homes:

• We need to be treated as adults and as any other ‘9-5’er would in their own homes
• The housing needs to fall under the Residential Tenancy Act and our names need to be on the agreement
• Strong tenant councils should govern the operations of all housing facilities so we can meaningfully participate in decision-making about our homes and lives
• There should be in-house job opportunities in all positions so that we can participate in running the buildings
• It is our desire to own and operate our own buildings, run by and for low-income people

2. We need affordable housing and not institutional, supportive housing:

• We need to greatly increase the stock of independent, affordable housing at welfare rates
• Punitive, paternalistic, and institutional rules create homes that are not welcoming or safe
• We need to be treated as capable human beings, as ‘normal’ renters, because we are!

3. We need permanent homes and not temporary shelters or transition housing:

• We are often offered temporary and transitional housing with bureaucratic processes for getting a bed and securing shelter
• We need to feel secure without risk of eviction

4. No policing/surveillance in housing:

• We need to be treated as people and not criminals
• No police involvement in housing
• We need to be given proper notice before our rooms are searched by staff
• Our guests are our friends and family. We need to be able to have guests over without sign-ins, checks, and searches.

5. We need processes of accountability for housing service providers:

• We need a process for making independent complaints that will not impact our housing status
• No daily rule changing/arbitrary rules
• No applying rules differently to different people based on favouritism, likes and dislikes, etc.

6. We need better and more diverse housing options:

• Like any other group of people we have diverse needs. A one-size-fits-all model of congregate housing doesn’t work for everyone. Some people would like a piece of land to shelter outside, or microhousing, or to be able to live more collectively in a shared house so street families can stay together, or other housing options. Each of us is the expert on what kind of housing will best meet our individual needs.
• We need better options for youth, veterans, and couples

7. Elements of good housing:

• Privacy and space
• Proper maintenance of building
• Pets allowed
• Guests allowed (no sign in/checks/searches)
• Couples can sleep together
• Staff should treat people with respect and as equals
• Be able to cook own food/cook in own room
• Workshop space
• Communal space for meetings/swap shop
• Private bathrooms
• Secure individual storage