One of the most over-represented communities experiencing homelessness across North America are youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Research points to a need for specialized housing programs for these youth and many organizations have stepped up their programming to meet this need. This week we are joined by Alex Cheng from Blue Door and Alyssa Jenson from Trellis, two organizations who have developed innovative and responsive housing programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

This week, we are joined by Kevin Webb, the Director of Emergency Shelter and Housing at the Calgary Drop-In Centre. Being a member of the Canadian Shelter Transformation Network, Kevin frequently works with shelters across Canada to find creative, innovative, and compassionate ways to advance housing-focused opportunities within the homeless-serving sector of care.

This week we discuss the successes and learnings of Calgary Drop-In’s approach to support individuals in local encampments during the pandemic.

This week, we are joined by Julia Markovich, a researcher in the Housing Division at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Julia talks to us about some amazing work she has done in regards to Evictions with Seniors and Older Adults. This is an aspect of homelessness that is often overlooked and deeply important in understanding how homelessness impacts people from all corners of our community. We discuss how the research was conducted, its impact, and some of her most surprising findings.

This week, we are joined by Canada’s first Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle—an experienced leader recognized for her community activism, expertise in human rights, and extensive knowledge of the housing and homelessness system.

Ms. Houle joins us to talk more about her role as the Federal Housing Advocate and why this position is a critical step forward in advancing housing as a fundamental human right in Canada.

This week, we are joined by Peter McMillan, Executive Officer at NT Shelter—a non-profit organization in Northern Territory, Australia committed to ensuring that everyone has a right to affordable, accessible and adequate housing.

Tune in to learn more about what homelessness looks like in the Northern Territory of Australia as well as the efforts that are being made to help end homelessness in the country.

This week, Marlene and Tim join us to discuss the importance of the #Vote4Housing campaign and how we all can get involved to push the government of Ontario to build, protect, and support deeply affordable housing.

This week, Dr. Paul Kershaw talks about the state of housing in Canada and how Generation Squeeze is working towards improving Canada’s wellbeing through cutting-edge research and the voices of youth.

President and CEO of Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), Margo Schulte, and CEO of Niginan Housing Ventures, Carola Cunningham, join us this week to discuss Edmonton’s Coordinated Youth Response. They talk about how a group of agencies came together during the pandemic to meet an immediate need for better helping youth. You don’t want to miss it!

On this week’s episode, we’ll be joined by Jordan Press, a reporter for the Ottawa bureau of the Canadian Press who focuses on data-driven storytelling and access to information.

Jordan talks to us about his extensive career covering housing on Parliament Hill, his thoughts on the housing chapter in 2022’s federal budget, and what he believes to be the greatest advances in the fight to end homelessness. You don’t want to miss it.

On their journey to help end homelessness in Waterloo Region, House of Friendship provides people with shelter and long-term, permanent supportive housing.

This week, Executive Director of House of Friendship, John Neufeld discusses his work to support vulnerable individuals in accessing vital services such as food, housing and addiction services. He also talks about House of Friendship’s Shelter Care program, the only one of its kind, specifically aimed at providing access to healthcare for those experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region.