This advice was not followed. It is our strong contention that the failure to follow this advice contributed to the housing and human rights crisis that we face today. However, we are not suggesting that the National Housing Commission model, adopted some 40 years ago, is suitable for contemporary Aotearoa.57 Canada Canada’s National Housing Strategy Act (2019): • includes a Housing Policy Declaration which recognises the right to adequate housing and its progressive realisation • requires a national housing strategy which takes “into account key principles of a human rights-based approach to housing” • confirms the national housing strategy is to “provide for participatory processes to ensure the ongoing inclusion and engagement of civil society, stakeholders, vulnerable groups and persons with lived experience of housing need, as well as those with lived experience of homelessness” • establishes a National Housing Council to advance the national housing strategy • establishes a Federal Housing Advocate to monitor implementation, conduct research and reviews on systemic housing issues, and advise the Minister.58 The Canadian housing strategy has given rise to a new community-based tenant initiative. This initiative will provide funding to organisations that help people in housing need, so they are better represented and able to participate in housing policy and housing project decision-making.59 The strategy has also committed to fund and codevelop distinctions-based housing strategies for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation partners.60 Ireland In September 2021, the Irish government published Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland to 2030, which includes a commitment to establish a Commission on Housing.61 The Commission remains work in progress, but Housing for All envisages it will bring together experts from across the housing sector and provide long-term strategic advice on: • how to build on Housing for All • the merits of an independent social housing regulator • the wording of a referendum on a housing amendment to the Constitution. Since 2007, Ireland has a record of inclusive consultative forums, sometimes with ministerial participation, to examine homelessness “in a constructive and collaborative manner.”62 England Proposals are well advanced to enact a short Charter for social housing residents. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson put it: The proposal … will make clear the standards that every social tenant in England is entitled to expect from their landlords. They will ensure that people feel safe and secure in their homes, can get problems fixed before they spiral out of control, and see exactly how good their landlord is at dealing with complaints. Above all, it will give social housing tenants a voice and ensure that it is listened to.63 There will be measures to ensure landlords live up to the new Charter. For example, the existing powers of the Regulator of Social Housing will be strengthened, and an independent Advisory Committee established to provide the Regulator with unbiased advice. The Housing Ombudsman’s complaints service will also be improved. 34 Human Rights Commission