Racialized Communities

The term “racialized person” is defined in the National Housing Strategy as those who “can have racial meanings attributed to them in ways that negatively impact their social, political, and economic life.”

“Racialized people” overlaps with, but is distinct from, the older, related term “visible minority,” which is defined in the Employment Equity Act as “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.” “Racialized” is increasingly being used instead of “visible minority” to reflect the fact that race is socially constructed, notably through racism, and also that in many parts of the country, referring to racialized people as a minority is simply inaccurate. In the 2021 census, Statistics Canada replaced “visible minority” with “racialized,” for instance.

The National Housing Strategy definition of “racialized” given above includes Indigenous people as well as those whose faith exposes them to forms of discrimination like Islamophobia. However, many would consider it inaccurate to lump Indigenous Peoples into the category of racialized. Indigenous Peoples have been on this land since time immemorial and experienced colonization here by white Canadian society. Although racism and discrimination are part of the experience of colonization, it cannot be reduced to this, and the experiences of Indigenous Peoples around housing and homelessness are best considered separately from those of other racialized communities.

Although “racialized communities” refers to a wide range of identities and experiences, there are certain commonalities that make the category useful. Racialized people face barriers to housing, employment, and government assistance due to discrimination. As well, racialized communities in Canada are 20% to 40% more likely to live in poverty than the Canadian average, with significant differences between communities. Although most racialized people are not living in poverty, these higher rates represent a significant transfer of wealth away from their communities. This process is maintained by barriers to educational attainment, criminalization, the child welfare system, the prevalence of low paid or part-time work, and racism. Both discrimination and poverty are risk factors that shape people’s experience of housing insecurity and homelessness.

There have been racialized communities in Canada since before Canada even existed as a country. However, they often experienced intense forms of exclusion and exploitation, such as indentureship and slavery, the echoes of which are still felt today. Despite this, immigration is closely associated with race in Canada. Following the removal of overtly racist immigration policies in the late 1960s, since 1971 the majority of immigration to Canada has been of non-European origin. Part of being racialized in Canada is to be seen as coming from elsewhere, even though many communities can trace their histories back seven generations or more.

Recent immigrants experience an increased risk of poverty and homelessness. In 2020, the poverty rate among those who had arrived in Canada since 2016 was 16.1%, nearly two-and-a-half times the rate of those born in Canada. Although language may play a role in this for some recent immigrants, similar trends around poverty and exclusion are true for anglophone and francophone immigrants of colour. The demand for Canadian education and experience by employers and regulating bodies is a huge barrier to full economic participation, as is the fact that recent immigrants typically live in lower rent, more remote neighbourhoods when they first arrive, where poor transportation options reduce opportunities. Factors like these add to the specific forms of discrimination faced by recent immigrants when they seek housing and employment, such as the requirement to provide a previous Canadian address or to have a Canadian credit history.

When they experience homelessness and housing insecurity, racialized communities have distinct needs and face unique barriers, and these are different for each community. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for meeting the diverse needs of racialized communities. These needs and barriers must be taken into account when developing supports, as otherwise they risk reproducing the forms of marginalization that lead racialized communities to experience poverty, housing insecurity, and homelessness in the first place.

Preventing homelessness in racialized communities demands an inclusive approach that tackles systemic racism, discrimination, and the multifaceted challenges these communities face. Key strategies include addressing economic disparities by creating equitable employment opportunities, enhancing access to quality education and training, and ensuring fair wages. Housing policies must prioritize affordability and eliminate discriminatory practices in the rental market. Additionally, promoting cultural competence and diversity within organizations and institutions is essential to reducing systemic discrimination. Efforts to prevent homelessness should also involve outreach and support programs tailored to the unique needs of different racialized communities, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By fostering inclusivity, combatting racism, and providing targeted support, we can work towards ensuring that racialized communities have equal access to stable housing.