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The Shift welcomes the European Commission’s publication of the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP). This landmark initiative signals that the EU recognises housing as more than a market commodity and is, as the Plan states, “a fundamental right and a cornerstone of human dignity.” The appointment of the EU’s first Commissioner for Energy and … Continued

By Leilani Farha & Richard Brooks Canada’s six largest banks just reported their highest quarterly profits on record. RBC’s earnings jumped 29% to $5.4 billion. CIBC climbed 16% to $2.2 billion. Even TD, amid restructuring costs and anti-money-laundering penalties, saw adjusted profits rise 22%. All six banks beat analysts’ estimates as capital markets surged and … Continued

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Home is where we feel safe, where we belong, where we build the relationships that give life meaning. We understand instinctively that home is precious; that its loss represents trauma extending far beyond the physical structure. The planet is home in exactly this way. Not metaphorically, but materially. The air we breathe, the water we … Continued

In April of this year, The Shift brought together experts and municipal leaders for the Beyond Tents: Rethinking Encampments webinar, to explore how a human rights approach can transform local responses to homelessness. As part of the tools provided to attendees, we created the Human Rights Scorecard for cities to assess how well their current … Continued

As we reflect on the first quarter of 2025, The Shift continues to advance housing rights across Europe and beyond through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and knowledge sharing. Our team has been engaged in several initiatives that are helping to reshape housing policy and strengthen the role of cities in addressing housing challenges.   Rome: “All … Continued

By Kirsten McRae There’s a brutal calculus at work in our world: as global crises multiply, we’re systematically stripping away people’s last line of defense. The acceleration of housing commodification at a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing, geopolitical tensions are mounting, and the planet is warming isn’t just creating rampant homelessness – … Continued

The U.S. Supreme Court recently delivered a devastating blow to homeless people, greenlighting the criminalization of poverty and denying the most vulnerable group in America potentially life-saving Constitutional protections. In a chilling decision, the Court ruled that jailing and fining people for sleeping outdoors on public property when they have nowhere else to go is … Continued