At home here? LGBTQ refugees’ housing experiences in Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017) identifies LGBTQ2 people and newcomers (including refugees) as vulnerable groups within Canada’s housing system. Members of each group are known to experience significant barriers to housing in Canada. However, the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees—who fall into both groups—have yet to be investigated. This thesis asks: To what extent are LGBTQ refugees able to access safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada? Interviews and policy analysis found that LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in the province. They continue to experience significant barriers related to affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors. Policy recommendations are also included in this thesis.
Notes
Community organizations: n/a
Future research / gaps identified:
Expand this research to include experiences of Albertan LGBTQ refugees outside of just Calgary and Edmonton.
Integration timeline: not defined
Key populations: LGBTQ refugees who now live in Calgary or Edmonton
Key findings:
- LGBTQ refugees do not have adequate access to safe, stable and affordable housing in Alberta, Canada.
- Significant barriers include affordability, social housing supply, and discrimination, among other factors.
- Income support programs in Alberta fall significantly below the poverty line, such that even affordable housing options aren’t feasible.
- The lack of social housing in Alberta, accompanied by long-waitlists and strict eligibility requirements, further exacerbates this problem.
- LGBTQ refugees experience significant discrimination in housing in Alberta, including racism, homophobia, and xenophobia.
- Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hearings and adjudication can be traumatizing and emotionally distressing for LGBTQ refugees.
- LGBTQ refugee claimants cannot access legal aid or income support in Alberta until their refugee claim is submitted.
Key recommendations:
- Improve the IRB adjudication process for LGBTQ refugees, so they do not experience this process as traumatic.
- Establish temporary housing for LGBTQ refugee claimants, so they have somewhere to stay until their claim is submitted.
- Reduce wait times for social housing through expansion of supply.
- Extend legal aid, English language courses, and other supports to refugee claimants.
- Increase income support and shelter benefits to reflect the true cost of living in Alberta.
Location:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
Open access: No
