What type of criteria is the housing required to meet?

The housing must be decent, safe and sanitary while also meeting the Housing Quality Standards. These standards include having all of the following:

• An alternative exit in case of fire
• A cooking stove or range
• A kitchen sink with hot and cold running water
• A refrigerator that is of appropriate size for the unit
• Space for storage, food preparation and serving
• Facilities and services for food waste disposal
• At least one window in living and sleeping rooms
• A working light fixture in the bathroom and kitchen
• At minimum of two electric outlets in the kitchen, living room and each bedroom
• Adequate air circulation
• Free from dangerous levels of sewer gas, carbon monoxide, dust, fuel gas and other harmful air pollutants
• A flush toilet
• A fixed tub or shower with hot and cold running water
• A fixed basin with hot and cold running water
• A kitchen, living room, bathroom and at least one bedroom or a living-sleeping room
• Screens on all exterior doors and windows that are accessible from the outside
• No serious defects, such as large holes, bulging or loose surface materials, on floors, ceilings and walls
• A firm and weather tight roof