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© On The Way Home Podcast
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On the Way Home is a podcast that brings together the voices and issues involved in ending homelessness in Canada.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
261 Episodes
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What does tenant experience really mean when you’re responsible for more than 30,000 people? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly sits down with Alain Cadieux, Vice President of Tenant Experience and Quality Assurance at Ottawa Community Housing, to explore how large housing systems can deliver consistent, high-quality, human-centred services at scale. Alain shares how responsible technology and artificial intelligence are reducing administrative burden for staff, improving service quality for tenants, and helping housing systems shift from reactive to proactive, while staying grounded in the human connection at the heart of housing. Here is the link to the report Alain shares will be helpful to listeners who are interested. View here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Prentiss Dantzler is Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of the Housing Justice Lab at the University of Toronto, whose research and advocacy explore the deep structural forces shaping neighbourhood change, racial discrimination, and housing inequity across North America. Dr. Dantzler traces his journey into housing justice, examines how homeownership has evolved into a powerful cultural ethos tied to wealth and mobility, and explains the consequences of relying on asset-based welfare systems. He discusses how discrimination continues to appear in contemporary housing markets, the uneven impacts of displacement on low-income and racialized communities, and the ways residents are reclaiming space through community organizing. He also shares the structural shifts needed to move toward true housing justice and reflects on what gives him hope as the movement grows across cities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly sits down with physician and health-policy leader Andrew Boozary to explore what it looks like when housing is treated not as a social add-on, but as a core health-care intervention. Through the lens of Dunn House, a groundbreaking model built on land donated by the University Health Network and led in partnership with Fred Victor and a broad team of community, housing, and health providers, the conversation examines shifting care upstream, measuring outcomes beyond traditional clinical metrics, and designing integrated systems that respond to the real drivers of health. With compelling data, lived experience, and deep credit to the frontline teams who made it possible, this episode offers a clear and hopeful case for why housing and health must be treated as one system, and why models like Dunn House and housing are the future Canada must now scale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of On the Way Home, we sit down with Heather Tremain, Executive Director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto Development Society, whose career spans architecture, sustainable development, nonprofit transformation, and impact investing. Heather shares what “home” means to her, the journey that led her into social-purpose real estate, and why the renewal of co-op housing is so urgently needed today. She reflects on the often-underestimated strengths of the nonprofit sector, lessons from delivering nearly 900 homes at Options for Homes, the complexities of scaling affordable homeownership, and how strong cross-sector partnerships, from private developers to impact investors, can move solutions forward. Heather also explores the balance between sustainability and affordability, the policy shifts that could unlock progress, and the reasons she remains hopeful about the future of co-ops and nonprofit-led housing across Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly is joined by Cliff Youdale, Chief Development Officer at Ottawa Community Housing, to discuss what it takes to steward and modernize more than $4 billion in community housing assets while planning for the future of supportive housing. Drawing on over 30 years of experience as a professional engineer, Cliff shares how preventative maintenance, capital repair, and green initiatives work together to keep housing stable for tenants, and how innovative partnerships like the BumbleBee Initiative are accelerating supportive housing by combining public land, development expertise, and integrated health and social supports. Cliff highlights how this approach is not only reshaping outcomes in Ottawa but may also offer a compelling possibility model for other communities looking to strengthen their housing continuum and reduce homelessness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, we speak with Adam Mongrain, Director of Housing Policy at Vivre en Ville, whose systems-oriented approach to the housing crisis raises provocative questions and challenges some of the assumptions that dominate today’s debates. Adam shares his unconventional journey from software development into housing policy, unpacks the distinction between cost problems and price problems, and explores how misdiagnosing these dynamics may be holding Canada back. He discusses his belief that building a broad public movement must come before asking politicians or households to make sacrifices, makes the case for a national rental registry, and reflects on lessons learned from working across research, planning, nonprofit development, and the co-op movement. Throughout the conversation, Adam offers thought-provoking perspectives, including some that push listeners to reconsider long-held narratives about ownership, equity, and reform and closes by sharing what gives him hope and where he sees the greatest opportunity for meaningful change in Canada’s housing future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Toronto’s housing system is at a breaking point. With home prices now nine times median income and purpose-built rental development stalled, we are losing fifteen older affordable units for every one new home built. Two-thirds of the GTHA workforce spend more than 30% of their income on housing. A strain that threatens families, employers, and Ontario’s economic future. To shift from crisis to construction, we must rethink how affordable housing is financed. In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy sits down with Mwarigha, Vice President of Housing Growth, Development & Asset Sustainability at WoodGreen Community Services to explore the concept of the Affordable Housing Investment Fund, a province-wide, Ontario-backed investment vehicle designed to unlock upfront capital and bring institutional investment back into affordable rental development. Developed in partnership with BILDGTA, FRPO, ONPHA and Arcadis, AHIF has the potential to de-risk projects, accelerate approvals, and support the creation of high-quality mixed-income, sustainable communities across Ontario, so that we can build a housing system that works for everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Emmy sits down with Adrienne Pacini (Partner, SHS Consulting) and Carolyn Whitzman (Adjunct Professor and Senior Housing Researcher) to explore what it really takes to scale affordable and non-market housing in Canada. From regional portfolio approaches and innovation labs to financing models and data-driven collaboration, this episode dives deep into practicalities and partnerships that can move us from pilot projects to sustained impact and what gives these housing leaders hope for the road ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we sit down with Dr. Nick Falvo, researcher, policy expert, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal on Homelessness. Drawing from more than a decade of frontline experience, Nick offers a grounded look at what Canada can realistically achieve right now: from defining meaningful short-term goals and strengthening supportive housing, to improving federal funding models and ensuring smaller communities aren’t left behind. He also highlights non-profit innovation and shares what we’re doing right which gives him hope for the future of housing and homelessness in Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly chats with Heather McDonald, President and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto, to explore her first 6 months in the role, United Way Greater Toronto's ambitious 10-year strategy, and insights from the new Built for Good report. Together, they unpack barriers slowing down affordable housing, where urgent action is needed, and how community organizations, governments, and non-profits can work "first and fast" together to build stronger, more connected communities across the GTA. A powerful conversation about leadership, collaboration, and the path forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week with On the Way Home, we’re joined by Ray Sullivan, Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA), one of the country’s leading voices for non-market and community housing. With over 25 years in the field, Ray shares how the sector has evolved, what opportunities lie ahead and why research and collaboration are key to shaping a truly affordable housing system. Tune in as we explore the future of community housing in Canada and how, together, we can build a country where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Finland has boldly embraced Housing First to drastically reduce homelessness. On this episode of On the Way Home, we’re joined by Juha Kahila, Head of International Affairs at the Y-Foundation, to explore how Finland moved from emergency shelters to permanent housing as a national standard. Juha shares the story behind this systems-level shift, the role of collaboration across sectors, and the key lessons other countries, particularly Canada, can take from Finland’s experience. Together, we reflect on what must be true for a “society that works” one where no one is left without a home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we explore how the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is helping make homes more affordable and sustainable across Ontario. Featuring Arwa Sayyadi, Program Advisor for Community Program Performance, we look at how initiatives like the Energy Affordability Program and Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program are reaching low-income households and non-profit housing providers. From lowering utility bills to supporting climate goals, listeners can understand programs that can support both energy efficiency and housing affordability to make a difference in our communities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, we sit down with Leilani Farha, Global Director of The Shift and former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, to explore how housing has become one of the defining human rights issues of our time. Leilani unpacks the global forces driving financialization, the connections between housing and the climate crisis, and what it will take to reclaim homes as places of dignity and security - not investment assets. From her UN advocacy to her film PUSH and podcast PUSHBACK Talks, Leilani shares a bold and hopeful vision for shifting housing systems toward justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly is joined by Jacob Gorenkoff, founder of Homeward Public Affairs, and Kimberley Meijer, a consultant known for her ability to turn complex data into clear, compelling stories. Together, they explore how housing and homelessness leaders can navigate new national initiatives, communicate their impact effectively, and build strong partnerships across sectors. This episode offers practical insights for anyone working to create more inclusive, sustainable housing solutions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Emmy speaks with Marie-Josée Houle, Canada’s first Federal Housing Advocate. Recently reappointed, Marie-Josée reflects on the progress and persistent gaps in realizing housing as a human right, drawing on her experience in frontline service, housing co-ops, research, and federal advocacy. She brings sharp insights on issues like encampments, the financialization of housing, and the distinct challenges facing Indigenous communities, always centering the voices of those most impacted by the crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special episode of On the Way Home, Emmy speaks with Blue Door's Construct Expansion leadership and team; Emma Wood, Emma Murgida, and Jarrod Armer who share the story of Construct, a trades-based employment social enterprise that began at Blue Door in York Region and has grown into a national movement creating pathways out of poverty through skilled trades training and employment. As Construct Canada launches, the team reflects on how workforce development and housing stability are deeply connected, and shares how communities across the country can join the movement to build stronger, more inclusive futures for all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly is joined by Tim Richter, President and CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, to explore the big ideas shaping this year’s CAEH National Conference and the next chapter in Canada’s movement to end homelessness. Tim shares insights on the launch of the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund, what it will take for Build Canada Homes to make a real impact, and how communities across the country are accelerating progress toward functional zero. Tim reflects on the stories, systems, and leadership driving hope and tangible change across Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of On the Way Home, we sit down with Faiz Abhuani, founder of Brique par Brique, to explore how one Montreal neighborhood is reshaping the future of affordable housing. From transforming an old paint factory into homes for dozens of families, to mobilizing millions through community bonds, Faiz shares how co-design, deep listening, and grassroots leadership can create not just buildings, but lasting systems change. Tune in for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about what happens when communities lead and why housing justice is about more than bricks and mortar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, Marlene Coffey, CEO of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), talks about how non-profits are key in driving solutions to Ontario’s housing crisis and shares what’s ahead at ONPHA’s annual conference; a province-wide gathering of housing leaders, innovators, advocates, friends, and anyone eager to learn and be part of the solution. With hundreds of members across the province, ONPHA is a powerful voice for affordable housing, and this conversation highlights both the progress made and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. If you care about building stronger communities and want to connect with the people leading the way, this is the conference, and the conversation, you don’t want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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