Good quality, affordable housing is one of the most important determinants of health. The lack of housing is directly linked to higher morbidity (illness) and higher mortality (death).

Insecure housing and homelessness is not only bad for individuals, but it is also bad for the social and economic health of urban regions and even countries:

• Death rates among homeless people are eight to ten times higher than the death rates among the same-age population of people who are housed.
• Homeless people tend to be susceptible to the same illnesses as people who are housed, but the conditions facing homeless and under-housed people (generally poor health exacerbated by poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, lack of access to medicines and proper medical care) place them at a higher risk.

Today, homelessness and insecure housing are at record levels in Canada.

At the Wellesley Institute we actively monitor public policy on housing issues at municipal, provincial and federal levels as well as at international levels. We work along with our partners at the national, provincial and local levels to develop practical solutions to that will meet the real needs for new homes, upgrades to existing rundown housing, rent supplements to help low-income people pay their housing costs, emergency relief and eviction prevention.

See our papers, presentations and blog commentaries listed on this page to learn more.

We also provide links to organizations, links to key analyses, debates and further resources on housing and homelessness.

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