The interns from our Indigenous Internship Program recently had a job shadowing opportunity at the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) on their project called “From Healthcare to Housing Insecure.” This internship research project, which explores the intersection between healthcare access and housing stability, was a valuable training opportunity for the interns. It provided them with work shadowing, learning experiences, and the chance to assist with projects in the research and policy department, aligning with their designated learning outcomes.

When being approached by the Centre to mentor in the program, Margaret Flynn, Senior Program Lawyer at CCHR, eagerly accepted the role. She collaborated with her team to create a work plan and networking opportunities for our three enthusiastic interns.

The interns contributed to several key areas of this project, assisting CCHR in achieving their goals while gaining insights into the systemic impacts of housing.

Here is an overview:

1. Research and Data Collection:

• Conducting extensive research on the links between healthcare inadequacies and homelessness, particularly within Indigenous communities.
• Gathering data highlighting the disparities faced by Indigenous populations in accessing both healthcare and housing.

2. Community Engagement:

• Facilitating focus groups and interviews with community members, ensuring their voices and experiences are central to the project.
• Building strong relationships with Indigenous organizations, enhancing collaboration and trust.

3. Policy Analysis and Recommendations:

• Analyzing existing policies to identify gaps and propose actionable recommendations to address the healthcare-to-homelessness pipeline.
• Providing insights instrumental in shaping the advocacy strategies of CCHR.

4. Awareness and Advocacy:

• Advocating for Indigenous housing rights by participating in public forums and workshops.
• Raising awareness about the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and pushing for systemic change.

A Bright Future

The dedication and hard work of our interns have not only advanced the “From Healthcare to Homelessness” project but also set a high standard for future initiatives – be they further placements or other special internal projects assigned to them within the scope of their internship.

We are excited to see them continue their journeys and make lasting impacts in the field of community housing. Their time with the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights underscores the importance of investing in passionate individuals committed to social justice and community transformation.

The stories of our interns are a testament to the power of youth leadership and the positive change that can arise when diverse voices are included in critical conversations. We look forward to future projects that will help drive innovation and transform the community housing sector for the betterment of all.

Diversifying leadership in the housing sector is paramount to solving not only niche issues, but broader systemic ones as well. A multitude of perspectives is needed to drive transformation and initiatives such as these will help in that regard. These future leaders will be further bolstered by the rich back and forth knowledge transfer they acquire working closely with our colleagues at CCHR.

About the project From Healthcare to Housing Insecure

This research project, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) through the Intersectoral Action Fund (ISAF), addresses the critical intersection between healthcare access and housing stability, recognizing that inadequate healthcare often leads to homelessness.

It focuses on two primary objectives: examining the individual and social barriers preventing people from being discharged from healthcare stays into stable and secure housing and identifying practical solutions to address housing insecurity resulting from healthcare stays.

To achieve these goals, the project involves individuals with lived experience and service providers within the healthcare and housing ecosystem, focusing on four communities—Vancouver, Saskatoon, Ottawa, and Halifax—selected for their broadly representative housing challenges that reflect the various regional housing crises across Canada.

About the Indigenous Internship Program

The Indigenous Internship Program is an initiative designed to cultivate leadership skills in the Indigenous community housing sector. It targets Indigenous youth (ages 18-30) who are recent graduates, those interested in entering the housing sector, and already in the field.

The program offers paid professional experience, guidance from a full-time coach, Lisa Owl, and opportunities for direct engagement with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations within the sector, as well as Indigenous-led housing providers across Canada.

If you would like to be involved in this program, the Centre is seeking partners to sponsor and support young Indigenous leaders.

For more details and contact information, visit the Indigenous Internship Program web page.