Many of the Centre’s staff traveled to Winnipeg to attend the National Congress on Housing and Homelessness, hosted by the Community Housing and Renewal Association, and co-hosted this year with the Manitoba Non-Profit Housing Association.
Centre staff spoke at two workshops: “Getting Creative with Financing Options: Innovative case studies” and “Provincial Public Housing Devolution”.
Luc Labelle, the Centre’s Development Manager, said of the “Getting Creative with Financing Options” workshop, “It was great to see how much interest there is from all across Canada in the community housing growth fund model that the Centre has begun in Nova Scotia and Nunavut in partnership with the provincial and territorial governments.”
The panel on devolution panel offered a rare opportunity for a lively conversation about this important issue from a variety of perspectives, including representatives from Manitoba Housing, the Winnipeg Housing Rehabilitation Corporation, Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre Housing, and the Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association.
Seeing colleagues in person, for the first time ever or in several years, was also a highlight for staff. Alison Lair, a Program Manager at the Centre, commented, “It got my creativity flowing. The housing crisis is such a huge issue, but when I’m around such a dedicated and passionate group of individuals, I feel like we can solve it.”
Dallas Tetarenko, who was recently hired as a Program Manager, especially enjoyed the opportunity as one of the Centre’s newest staff members: “Most of my discussions with other attendees focused on the role of the Centre in innovating pathways to creating or preserving inclusive, affordable community housing and the impact of sectoral partnerships in advancing their organizational missions. The excitement to work collaboratively with the Centre was palpable throughout the week’s social events and congress sessions.”
The Centre, along with the Nunavut Housing Corporation also hosted an evening reception at the Winnipeg Art Gallery- Qaumajuq, giving sector leaders a chance to get to know each other over food, music, and even a small dance party.
We’re looking forward to continuing to make connections at housing events from coast to coast to coast. If your organization is hosting a conference or event, and would like to invite Centre staff to speak or attend, please get in touch.
