SHIFT CITIES
Addressing homelessness can be complex. The Shift helps city governments successfully resolve homelessness including homeless encampments. We work directly with municipal governments to implement human rights standards like dignity and participation, helping cities turn commitments into actions.
We began working with cities across Canada in 2020, pioneering a human rights approach to encampments while supporting municipalities in implementing the National Housing Strategy Act. As the architects of this framework, we’ve seen many cities adopt human rights processes and standards to address homelessness more effectively. We’ve been convening cities nationwide through a network of trailblazers committed to the right to housing, sharing practical strategies that work on the ground.
Shift Cities has recently expanded internationally, using our expertise in translating human rights principles into actionable municipal policies to launch Shift Cities Europe, collaborate with U.S. cities, and provide consultations globally.
Our work demonstrates that the right to housing is a practical framework for creating more just, inclusive, and livable cities. Municipalities can partner with us to ensure these resources achieve lasting impact through rights-based, housing-first approaches. If you want to make a shift in your city, contact us!
Here’s a sample of our transformative work:
CANADA
We continue to work with municipal leaders and city staff across Canada who are committed to a human rights-based approach to housing and homelessness.
The guides below are tools governments can use to address encampments in a manner that ensures sustainable solutions and produces human rights outcomes:
Toronto, ON
In 2021, our collaboration with Toronto on the landmark Dufferin Grove Park project helped the city apply a housing first approach to encampments. By aligning city actions with human rights principles, we facilitated meaningful resident engagement and identified overlooked housing opportunities. The results? 90 individuals secured stable outcomes including permanent housing, family reunification, and appropriate shelter placements.
Halifax, NS
The Shift worked with the Mayors office to encourage a rights based approach to homeless encampments and meaningful engagement with residents of encampments. As a result of relationship building, the city’s approach was completely revamped to better comply with human rights and we continue to work with the city on new initiatives.
Halifax, NS and Saskatoon, SK
The Shift convened the National Working Group on Homeless Encampments in 2023 to develop a set of guidelines intended for city use: Homeless Encampments: Municipal Engagement Guidance—a resource for cities to engage residents of homeless encampments in a constructive and peaceful manner. The guidance, presented by Halifax Mayor Savage and Saskatoon Mayor Clark at the Big City Mayors Caucus, has been endorsed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
Kitchener, ON
The Shift’s expertise directly shaped Kitchener’s award-winning Housing for All Plan—transforming human rights principles into concrete policy solutions. Our strategic guidance, community education, and narrative framing were instrumental in creating a plan that has now earned both national and international recognition. By translating rights-based approaches into actionable strategies, we helped Kitchener establish a new benchmark for addressing housing and homelessness.
Victoria, BC
Through the CMHC-funded Shift Cities Canada Project, we transformed Victoria’s approach to tenant protection by co-developing their comprehensive Renters Toolkit. Our expertise was crucial in creating this essential resource that clearly defined tenant rights, landlord obligations, and accessible dispute processes. While not formally released, this work has already strengthened the City’s policy framework and reinforced their commitment to housing security.
Vancouver, BC
The Shift’s human rights expertise proved decisive in a collaboration led by C40, BLOXHUB, and the City of Vancouver. By integrating rights-based frameworks into transportation planning, urban densification strategies, and neighborhood resilience initiatives, we helped transformed Vancouver’s approach to equitable city development alongside urban planners, mobility experts, and community leaders.
Yellowknife, NT
In 2021, as part of the Shift Cities Canada Project, we provided the City of Yellowknife with a human rights zoning memo, outlining key considerations for making zoning regulations more inclusive and rights-compliant as the city sought to revise its zoning bylaws.
UNITED STATES
We’ve expanded our work to the U.S., partnering with cities to integrate human rights into urban revitalization efforts.
Kirkland, WA
The Shift joined BLOXHUB’s West Coast initiative, collaborating with architects, planners, and futurists to guide Kirkland, Washington’s transformation of Houghton Village. Our team equipped city staff with tools for meaningful community engagement as they reimagine this city-owned strip mall into affordable housing and cultural spaces.
Tacoma, WA
The Shift collaborated with Tacoma city staff on downtown revitalization efforts, bringing a human rights perspective to urban planning. Recognizing the presence of unhoused individuals in the downtown core, we worked to ensure redevelopment plans were inclusive, integrating solutions that support existing homeless populations rather than displacing them.
EUROPE
Our Shift Cities initiative is expanding across Europe, bringing human rights solutions to urban housing challenges.
Bologna, Italy
In Bologna, our 3-day city visit resulted in a housing diagnostic to assist the City in determining the best paths to secure housing rights for migrants, youth, and vulnerable communities.
Rome, Italy
The Shift is partnering with the city of Rome to advance a bold new vision: combining human rights with a mission economy approach to transform how this historic city tackles its housing crisis.
INTERNATIONAL
The Shift was commissioned by the Mayors Migration Council to produce a report for internal use to assess the status of the right to housing for refugees and migrants across the world. The report formed the backbone of a report by the UN Special Rapport on the right to housing on a similar topic.
REACH OUT!
Are you a government official or a member of civil society looking to bring the Shift Cities project to your country? Reach out to us at info@maketheshift.org
