Agenda

Designing for distinction: New approaches to building culturally appropriate Indigenous housing

Impacts from colonial systems, racism and discrimination against Indigenous peoples have resulted in systemic barriers, including lack of affordable and appropriate housing.

This session will explore how new approaches such as design and innovative partnership models, can be used to develop culturally appropriate Indigenous housing solutions.

Participants will feel a better understanding and confidence on how to collaborate with Indigenous partners to develop housing that can support Reconciliation, be financially viable and meet the distinct needs of its stakeholders.

Panelists:
Alex Miller, Big Block
Bill Dupre, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)
Jeff Neven, Indwell
Melanee McAulay, Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing Inc.

Moderator:
Line Champagne, CMHC

How municipalities are changing the way we build housing

Despite significant capacity and regulatory barriers, municipalities are advancing innovative approaches to build more housing and improve affordability in their communities. This session will feature speakers on Waterloo Region’s BUILD NOW program, which aims to provide 10,000 half-priced missing middle homes across the region and the City of Victoria’s Rapid Deployment of Affordable Housing initiative, which fast-tracks affordable housing projects.

Panelists:
Ross Soward, City of Victoria
Rosa Bustamante, City of Kitchener
Christel Kjenner, City of Edmonton

Moderator:
Chris Woodcock, CMHC

Building, acquiring and preserving: Putting our money to work

This panel conversation will highlight novel financing instruments and investment models that have been developed to complement government funding and traditional financing and discuss how investors - from institutional to individuals - can be part of the solution.

Panelists:
Lili-Anna Pereša, McConnell Foundation
Lisa Ker, CHTC
Tracee Smith, Keewaywin Capital

Moderator:
James Chan, SVX

Commercial conversions to unlock more housing

Adaptive repurposing of existing infrastructure is one way to boost Canada’s housing supply, revitalize downtown cores and meet climate compatibility targets. But converting non-residential buildings into housing comes with its own unique set of challenges.

In this implementation jam, panelists will share successes and learnings from converting commercial buildings into affordable housing.

Panelists:
Bernadette Majdell, HomeSpace
Richard Summers, Summers & Co

Moderator:
Naama Blonder, Smart Density

Transformational co-creation: Strategies for mobilizing solutions around a Housing crisis

Roll up your sleeves for a fast-paced interactive session exploring participatory mechanisms and novel community engagement tools to support transformational change in a time of housing crisis. Drawing on lessons learned from the cross-country National Housing Council initiative on Co-Creating the Right to Adequate Housing in Canada and a human-rights-based approach to housing framework, participants will dip their toes in this systems change initiative and make connections with other industry professionals. This session serves as a step in co-creating the conditions for broad awareness around a common understanding of the right to adequate housing and mobilization of solutions to build a housing system centred on the right to adequate housing for all in Canada.

Panelists:
Adrienne Pacini, SHS Consulting
John Harvey, National Housing Council Member

Moderator:
TBC

Advancing reconciliation through housing finance solutions

Join us for an inspiring and informative panel discussion on advancing Reconciliation through innovative housing finance solutions. Across the country, Indigenous people are working together to find solutions that respect their rights, values and aspirations. They are reclaiming their tradition of sustainable housing that has endured for generations. During the session, you will hear from experts and practitioners who will share examples of successful and scalable housing finance models that are tailored to the needs and preferences of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and other initiatives that improve access to financing for Indigenous peoples. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the speakers and other participants. Don't miss this chance to be inspired by our presenters and their innovative solutions for supporting Indigenous homeownership and residential development.

Panelists:
Chief Lance Haymond, Yänonhchia’
Travis Seymour, First Nation Market Housing Fund (FNMHF)
Minister Will Goodon, Manitoba Métis Federation
Fred Di Blasio, Longhouse Capital

Moderator:
Shannin Metatawabin, NACCA

From concept to community: Integrating innovation in multi-family home design

Across Canada, there is renewed interest in using a more standardized approach to build more housing, faster, particularly multi-family homes. While increasing housing supply is essential, how can we ensure the next generation of homes best serves residents such as supporting aging well in the right place and fostering community? This facilitated session will focus on bringing innovation into the design of multi-family homes to foster social connection, liveability, age-friendliness and resilience.

Panelists:
Madeleine Hebert, Happy Cities
Michael Epp, Metro Vancouver
Michelle Hoar, Hey Neighbour Collective

Moderator:
Lisa Helps, BC Housing

Data-driven solutions for homelessness: Innovative strategies and ethical considerations

This session explores how data-driven solutions are changing approaches to prevent and end homelessness, examining innovative strategies and the power of data analytics to make tangible impacts. It also reflects on potential challenges and crucial ethical considerations to ensure that data-driven solutions are inclusive and equitable.

Panelists:
Alina Turner, Helpseeker Technologies
Angela Pye, Infrastructure Canada
Chris Gorman, The Human Development Council

Moderator:
Marina Sloutsky, CMHC