Based on what we learned in the first five years of our partnership, as well as the changing needs of the sector, Community Housing Canada’s research plans were restructured for 2025-2028. 

We continue to be organized around an overarching challenge, referred to as our Cross-Cutting Theme, and specific research clusters, referred to as our “Areas of Inquiry.” However, the work of these groups, and the questions they address, have been fully updated!

Explore each of our five research groups

Increasing Adequate Supply

This cross-cutting theme investigates the barriers and opportunities to increasing community housing supply in Canada, focusing on ensuring new housing meets adequacy standards beyond just affordability. This area works with the community housing sector to identify and prioritize supply-side challenges, explore how providers define housing adequacy, and generate policy recommendations for all levels of government to boost adequate supply.

This Area of Inquiry aims to redefine and measure housing vulnerability in Canada using a capabilities framework, and to assess how community housing impacts tenant well-being. It identifies policy and operational changes to improve community housing’s ability to address housing vulnerability.

This Area of Inquiry examines the benefits and drawbacks of energy innovations for community housing at the neighbourhood level. By modelling and mapping these innovations within a broader community energy system, this Area will provide actionable insights for improving energy efficiency and sustainability in community housing, contributing to Canada’s climate goals and tenant well-being.

This Area of Inquiry addresses the data gaps in housing needs for vulnerable populations in New Brunswick, focusing on people with disabilities, newcomers, seniors, and female-led households. It will develop inclusive housing needs assessments and identify promising practices for social inclusion. This Area will also investigate the experiences of those on community housing waitlists to inform policies that reduce housing instability.

This Area of Inquiry explores the experiences of individuals working in and advocating for community housing in Canada. It aims to understand the challenges and visions of community housing workers and activists, examining the sector’s current state and potential future. Case studies and art-based research will identify and address labour challenges in the community housing sector, with a focus on Quebec and Atlantic Canada.