Accessibility Standards Canada and UN-Habitat announce research to advance accessible-ready housing in Canada and globally

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Accessibility Standards Canada and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) are advancing accessible-ready housing in Canada through a new research project. Funded by Accessibility Standards Canada and led by UN-Habitat, the project will assess how the standard CAN-ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing can be applied in municipalities across the country.

Project details

The project will look at what helps or prevents accessible-ready housing from being put into practice, using selected cities as test sites. It will examine factors such as policies, regulations, construction practices and costs. It will also consider approaches used in other countries to identify opportunities and lessons for Canada.

The project connects Canadian innovation with a wider global effort to make adequate housing more inclusive and accessible. It will bring together a diverse group of partners, including persons with disabilities and their organizations, municipal governments, building practitioners and other experts.

The research project will produce practical guidance and housing design examples that can support the application of accessible-ready housing in communities across Canada. Findings will help inform the future review and refinement of accessible-ready housing standards in Canada. They will also contribute to international knowledge and exchange on inclusive and accessible housing.

Municipalities can join the project as case municipalities or as municipal knowledge partners. Those interested can submit their expression of interest online or contact [email protected].

About the standard

CAN-ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing is a standard created to help ensure homes are designed for adaptability and ready to be accessible. The standard focuses on preventing barriers before they exist by building flexible features into the design of homes. This includes reinforced walls for future lifts or clear pathways for mobility devices. This can help homes adapt as people's needs change, whether it's aging in place or accommodating a disability. Designing with accessibility from the start leads to smarter, more cost-effective housing and solutions.

Quotes

"Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a home that can meet their needs, especially as those needs change over time. As Canada works to address housing needs, accessibility must be part of the conversation. By bringing together knowledge from Canada and around the world, this research will help us better understand what is needed to make accessible-ready housing a reality in communities across Canada. Through the work of UN-Habitat, the research will connect Canadian experience with international approaches to inclusive housing."

– Dino Zuppa, Chief Executive Officer, Accessibility Standards Canada

"Accessibility is fundamental to the right to adequate housing and to our vision of cities and communities that leave no one behind. Designing homes to respond to people's needs throughout their lives is not only about removing barriers – it is about creating dignity, independence and opportunity. Through this project, with support from Accessibility Standards Canada, UN-Habitat will demonstrate how accessible-ready housing can move from ambition to practice while generating knowledge that can inspire action in Canada and globally, and help make adequate housing for all a reality."

– Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director, UN-Habitat

Quick facts

• Led by UN-Habitat, the research project will examine how Canada's Accessible-Ready Housing standard (CAN-ASC-2.8:2025) can be applied in different housing and local planning contexts.
• The project will focus on Canadian cities and involve a diverse group of partners, including people with disabilities and other experts. Research will consider the diverse experiences and needs of people with many different types of disabilities.
• Findings and emerging practices will be shared through UN-Habitat's global networks, including at the 14th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF14), to be held in Mexico City in 2028. Research aims to produce an Accessible-Ready Design and Standards guidance package, as well as an Accessible-Ready Design Compendium with housing prototypes and case studies.
• CAN-ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing is a National Standard of Canada approved by the Standards Council of Canada. It aims to make housing easily adaptable with minimal changes by including accessibility in the design and construction from the start.
• Accessibility Standards Canada is an accredited standards development organization working to create a barrier-free Canada. They develop accessibility standards and fund research to build the knowledge and evidence needed to advance accessibility.
• UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for sustainable urbanization and human settlements. It works with governments, cities and communities around the world to advance adequate housing for all and more inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities.
• Accessibility is one of the core dimensions of adequate housing advanced through UN-Habitat's global mandate. Adequate housing is at the centre of the organization's 2026 to 2029 Strategic Plan.

Associated links

• CAN-ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing
• Accessibility Standards Canada - Research and funding
• Accessibility Standards Canada releases new standard to help build adaptable homes that work for everyone
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
• Submit an expression of interest

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn

Follow UN-Habitat Canada on LinkedIn

SOURCE Accessibility Standards Canada

Contacts: Communications, Accessibility Standards Canada, Email: [email protected]; UN-Habitat Canada: Email: [email protected]