Housing Rights Coalition
Organization profile published 1982

Year Published:  1982
Resource Type:  Organization
Cx Number:  CX2630

Abstract: 
In June of 1981, a group of people met to discuss the grim housing situation in Vancouver, where demolitions, evictins, a low vacancy rate, and exorbitant rents were precluding affordable, decent housing for a growing number of residents. The HOUSING RIGHTS COALITION was formed with the following principles of unity: - To promote recognition of Canada's signature on the United Nations Declaration of
Human Rights, which states that shelter is a basic human right.

- To promote the concept of democratic community control and planning for urban land,
as opposed to urban land being treated as an instrurment of financial speculation and
a commodity of the market place.

- To encourage education, organization and unity amongst community groups and
tenants

- To preserve and advance tenant rights and interest in public policy

- To preserve and advance the right of citizens to obtain affordable housing.

- To maintain a democratic, grassroots organization of community groups to achieve the
aforestated goals.

Representatives of co-ops, tenants' associations, rental agencies, and churches joined the COALITION and work began in the areas of advocacy, public education, and lobbying. Currently the COALITION is focusing its efforts on the inclusion and development of affordable housing on the massive B.C. Place site, located near downtown Vancouver.

This abstract was published in the Connexions Digest in 1982.