In 2019, the City of Toronto took a historic step by recognizing housing as a human right in its Housing Charter and HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. To date, certain housing policies and programs are contributing to the City’s progress in advancing the right to housing. Notably, the City introduced its new multi-tenant housing (MTH) regulatory framework on March 31, 2024, to expand access to safe, secure, and affordable housing across all neighbourhoods.
With the City’s MTH regulatory framework in place, all rooming houses should provide adequate housing for renters. Central to this framework are the key elements of the right to housing, including affordability, security of tenure, and habitability, which help protect renters and prevent homelessness. Below, we explore each of these elements and their impact on Toronto’s most vulnerable residents.
Affordability
Housing costs should not threaten or compromise other basic needs or human rights, such as access to food. Multi-tenant houses are often the cheapest housing option available in the private rental market, making them an important source of deeply affordable housing. The MTH framework is an important step toward protecting and increasing the stock of affordable rental housing in Toronto. By permitting MTHs across the city, it helps ensure renters have access to a diverse range of affordable housing options in all neighbourhoods.
Security of tenure
Housing policies and legislation should provide legal protection against forced evictions, harassment, and other threats. The City’s MTH Framework can help renters stay in their home by putting rules, guidelines and supports in place. By taking a human rights-based approach to implementing the MTH framework, the City has a key role to help address issues of renter displacement. Additionally, MTH renters are protected under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), which includes protections that can safeguard them from unlawful evictions, harassment or other threats.
Habitability
Housing must be safe and well-maintained so it does not jeopardize people’s health and safety. The City’s MTH Framework sets and enforces standards that hold MTH operators accountable to health and safety requirements, helping ensure that MTH residents live in and have access to well-maintained and habitable homes that truly support their wellbeing.
Supporting vulnerable residents
Additionally, MTHs are a critical part of Toronto’s affordable housing system and provide homes for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, including refugees, newcomers, social assistance recipients, students, and other low-income and marginalized groups.
When MTH renters lose their home, many face the risk of homelessness due to a shortage of affordable housing and limited rehousing supports. By taking a human rights-based approach to implementing the MTH framework, the City has a key role in preventing renter displacement and homelessness of vulnerable renters. MTHs can also reduce pressure on emergency shelters by increasing the supply of deeply affordable housing and helping people move from temporary shelters into stable homes.
Protecting housing rights
In the midst of an escalating housing and homelessness crisis, the City’s MTH framework is an important step toward protecting affordable housing across the city. By prioritizing the right to housing throughout the implementation of the MTH framework, the City can help ensure that renters have safe, secure, and affordable homes, while upholding the right to housing across Toronto.