Housing Shortage In Canada Essay

Canada's First Nation (FN) on-reserve housing now is in crisis level due to severe shortages, lack of proper ventilation, presence of mold contamination, overcrowding and structural deficiencies (CBC, 2011; MacTavish et.al, 2012; Canadian Press, 2016). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) defined access of proper housing is the third most important basic human needs. "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control." (Article 25(1)). …show more content…
(MacTavish et.al, 2012; Canadian Press, 2015). Manitoba Indigenous houses are in the worst repair in the country and it will cost $2 billion to eradicate the mold and chronic overcrowding in the province alone, more than thirteen times higher than the annual housing budget of $150 million proclaimed by the federal government. Chief David McDougall of St. Theresa Point in northern Manitoba defined this housing problem as "ticking time bomb" considering the long waiting list for housing (Canadian Press, 2016, Onkwehonwe Week in Review: Week of February 3, 2016). The long waiting list for housing in the cluster of four reserves, including Wasagamack FN and Garden Hill FN, is 1, 500 and many people have to take turns sleeping due to acute shortage of housing (Canadian Press, 2016; Puxley,