Online Annual Housing and Homelessness Partnership Housing Symposium 2022

PLEASE NOTE: This is an ONLINE event. Please join us from your laptop or cellphone if possible.

Here is your virtual link to The 2022 Annual Housing Symposiumum Live Stream:

Click here to watch the Online Housing Symposium 2022

For those without internet access, the Symposium will be live- streamed in the Halifax Central Library's BMO Room, and at Chebucto Connections (see details below).

Housing and Homelessness Partnership's (HHP) Annual Housing Symposium:

Hosted By Max Chauvin, Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Partnership

ASL interpretation provided by the Society of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians.

The Housing and Homelessness Partnership would like to thank all of the guest Speakers, Atlantic Live Steam and Halifax Regional Library and United Way for their support.

While the Symposium is an online event, two in-person, livestream viewing opportunities are available:

1. Halifax Central Library BMO Room (2nd floor) - No registration required.

2. Chebucto Connections (531 Herring Cove Road)- To register, please call (902)477-0964

Refreshments, volunteer supports, and opportunities for community feedback will be provided at each location.

Agenda For Symposium:

9:10 (30 min) Charlene Gagnon - Collaborations, Consultations, and Counts: How do we Change the HRM Homelessness Narrative?

9:45 (35 min) Leisha Seymore, Stacy Beals, Russell Borden - From Incarceration to Housing Stability: Programs, Supports, and Lived Experience Perspective on Barriers and Solutions

10:30 (10 min) Wellness Break

10:45 (15 min) Lina Hamid Halifax Refugee Clinic - Systemic barriers and policy options for a better tomorrow

11:00 (30 min) Jason Whitford and Elijah Osei-Yeboah - End Homelessness Winnipeg's Encampments Strategy

11:35(15 min) Alison Lair - The Community Housing Growth Fund: Supporting Capacity and Opportunity in NS's Non-Profit and Cooperative Housing Sectors

11:45 (30 min) LUNCH - Thank you's/ door prizes tiny homes update (video will play at the tail end of lunch 5 min)

12:15 (25 min) Angela Graham, Kerri Marshall, Kim Ducharme - Labour Shortages and the Housing Crisis: Attracting, Training, and Retaining Underrepresented Populations in Home Construction

12:40 (15min) Cheyenne Jones - An Introduction to AKOMA's "Kinney Place"

1:00 (1 hr) Lisan Buchanan, Ilse Van Winssen, Vivian McDonald, and Kevin Hooper (Audience Input)- The Halifax Affordable Community Land Trust Project: Seeking Community Feedback on Operations, Leadership, Decision Making, Scope, and Scale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxXa3I8ECw

(quick info. video if Community Land Trust is new to you)

2:00 (25 min) Curtis Whiley - Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust (update) and Developing African Nova Scotian Housing Initiatives

2:30 (5 min) Closing and Thank you

A one-page information sheet on the Halifax Affordable Housing Community Land Trust Initiative (including contact information) can be found by following the link below. Hard copies will be provided at both livestream viewing locations.

https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Halifax-Affordable-Housing-CLT-one-pager.pdf

Scroll below for information specific to each presenter/presentation, in the order seen in the above agenda.

Thank you for sharing! We are looking forward to seeing you on November 21st 2022!

Host: Max Chauvin, Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Partnership

Thank you to Mike Hall and the team at Atlantic Live Stream for supporting the 2022 Annual Housing Symposium

Thank you to Jessica Bradley, Chelsea Berriman-Saulnier and Halifax Regional Municipality for supporting the in-person viewing opportunity at the BMO Room 2nd floor.

BIO (Morgan Toney) - Featured Artist will be played during breaks and over lunch at the Symposium

https://www.morgantoneymusic.com/

Music’s an almost alchemical force to Canadian Mi'kmaq fiddler and singer Morgan Toney. In just a short amount of time, Toney has invigorated both the Atlantic music communities and Mi’kmaq communities by bringing together the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with the old songs of the Mi’kmaq, some dating back up to 500 years. He calls this fusion Mi’kmaltic (Mi’kmaq + Celtic) and it's his way of celebrating his language and heritage. “There are two worlds of Mi’kmaq music,” Toney explains, “song and fiddle. They had never come together before. People knew of each, but never had I ever seen a collaboration between Celtic and Mi'kmaq culture before.

Toney’s debut album First Flight, nominated for 3 East Coast Music Awards and a Canadian Folk Music Award, showcases this unique combination, both in the way he transforms traditional songs like the Ko’jua and the Mi’kmaq Honour Song, but also for the new songs he’s creating. “Msit No’kmaq” was written partially in Mi’kmaq and features a fiddle break from the great Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. “Kwana Li” is a traditional Mi'kmaq song that Toney added new English lyrics to and “For the Elders” is a newly composed waltz from Toney.

With the immediate accolades and attention, it’s easy to forget that Morgan Toney is so new to the music, having only played the fiddle for a few years. But there’s something deeper at work here. His great-grandfather and three other great-uncles were all Mi'kmaq fiddlers of renown in the community. In a sense, Toney’s coming back full circle. And circles are something he understands. “We are living in circles,” he says. “The earth is a circle. The drum is a circle, how we move around is a circle, how we greet each other. The talking circle is huge.”

Ishkōdé Records introduced First Flight to the world on March 25, 2022.

Session 1 - "Collaborations, Consultations, and Counts: How do we Change the HRM Homelessness Narrative?"

Charlene Gagnon - Manage of Advocacy, Research and New Initiatives, YWCA Halifax

Charlene Gagnon is an advocate and community-based researcher that has worked on a wide variety of research, evaluations and community-based projects in the areas of diversity, public safety, restorative justice, housing, education, rural/urban development, youth transitions, equity & technology and social media.

Currently she is the Manager of Advocacy, Research and New Initiatives at YWCA Halifax responsible for the Trafficking and Exploitation Service System (TESS) and a variety of other systems change initiatives. She is also a freelance consultant working with government and non-profit organizations specializing in first voice consultation and partnership facilitation.

Session 2 - From Incarceration to Housing Stability: Programs, Supports, and Lived Experience Perspective on Barriers and Solutions

Leisha Seymore - Executive Director John Howard Society

Leisha has experience working with the provincial government on the creation and provision of new housing opportunities for criminalized men.

Stacey Beals - Lived Experience

Stacey Beals is a proud member of the African Nova Scotian community of Cherry Brook. Stacey has great resilience and kindness, despite his experiences of racism and institutionalization since the age of 7. Stacey is interested in speaking today about housing and homelessness in the hope that his experience can influence change, especially for other African Nova Scotian’s involved in the Provincial and Federal Justice Systems.

Russell Borden (He/Him) - Team Lead of The John Howard Society Supportive Housing Initiative, Berma’s Place.

I was born and raised in New Glasgow, I have 3 children with my wife of almost 20 years. I hold a Diploma in Human Services from NSCC and I am currently enrolled at Athabasca University to receive my degree in Criminal Justice. I am also a member of New Glasgow town council where I represent Ward 1. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, fishing, and walking my dog Murray. I have over 15 years experience in helping individuals in different capacities. I worked as a residential counselor for 5 years at an adult residential center, 10 years with CCRCE as a African Nova Scotian Student Support Worker and as a Child and Youth Practitioner.

Session 3 - Systemic barriers and policy options for a better tomorrow

Lina Hamid - Housing Support Worker, Halifax Refugee Clinic

Lina will share the context of what patterns and issues are being faced currently by refugees coming to HRM. Lina will also share on what policies could best help impact the wellness of folks coming to live in HRM:

"My name is Lina Hamid. I am the Housing Support Worker at the Halifax Refugee Clinic. I have been in my current role, generously funded by the United Way, for over 2 years. Previously, I was a volunteer with the HRC for another 2 years. As an Afro-Arab Muslim immigrant woman myself, I thought I knew everything there is to know about the Canadian experience for anyone from abroad coming to call Canada home. I learned very quickly in my role that that could not be further from the truth.

I learn something new everyday about the intersecting obstacles, barriers to access and marginalization that refugee claimants and non-status migrants must face trying to settle in Nova Scotia. Housing is no exception. From racism and islamophobia to routine exclusions from fundamental services, refugee claimants and non-status migrants have to work through layers and layers of difficulty to find stability and security in our province. I hope you find these experiences that I will be sharing as shocking and eye-opening as I do."

Session 4 - End Homelessness Winnipeg's Encampments Strategy

Jason Whitford - President and CEO End Homelessness Winnipeg

President and CEO, formerly served as Executive Director of Shawenim Abinoooji. During his previous tenure as program manager at Eagle Urban Transition Centre, Jason co-authored “Examining the Urban Aboriginal Policy Gap: Impacts on Service Delivery for Mobile Aboriginal Peoples in Winnipeg, Canada.” Jason is a graduate of the Business Administration program at Red River College and the Human Resource and Management program at the University of Winnipeg.

Jason will share with us best practices from Encampments in Winnipeg, and they've done things differently and found success.

Elijah Osei-Yeboah - Manager of Evaluation and Shared Measurement

Elijan joined End Homelessness Winnipeg in 2020 as a Reaching Home Program Officer. He was promoted to the position of Manager of Evaluation and Shared Measurement in March 2022. Elijah has Canadian and international training and working experience in research and the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects, plans, policies, and strategies.

Session 5 - The Community Housing Growth Fund: Supporting Capacity and Opportunity in NS's Non-Profit and Cooperative Housing Sectors

Alison Lair - Program Manager, The Community Housing Transformation Centre

A bit about The Centre:

At the Centre, believes everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. The Community Housing Transformation Center offers funding for community-based housing iniatives.We will explore the Centre's grants and resources for the community-housing sector.

Working towards models of community housing that will serve the needs of our communities now and in the future.

The Community Housing Transformation Centre vision: Supporting a resilient, growing, sustainable, and inclusive community-housing sector.

Session 6 - Labour Shortages and the Housing Crisis: Attracting, Training, and Retaining Underrepresented Populations in Home Construction

Kerri Marshall, Advancement Coach - Atlantic Home Building & Renovation Section Council | Skilled workers. Quality homes. Better communities. (ahbrsc.com)

Kerri Marshall is a community advocate and research enthusiast that has been focused on Job Developing for the past several years. Kerri has been working closely with individuals pursing success in the workplace, getting to know their needs and abilities, and matching them with the hiring and retention needs of hiring employers.

Kerri is a graduate of Cape Breton University with a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Honouring in Psychology, with a Research Certificate.

Kerri’s work experience in both Nova Scotia and Ontario, community-based research, and education have prepared her to build strong effective relationships with both clients and community, allowing her to act as a supportive bridge between the two.

The Atlantic Home Building & Renovation Sector Council works with partners and networks comprised of business owners, trades workers, industry organizations, educators, trainers, public officials and policy makers to coordinate the development and implementation of strategic labour market development initiatives to support the residential construction and renovation sector in Atlantic Canada.

Angela Graham - Manager with NSCC's School of Trades and Transportation

Anagela is a Manager in the School of Trades and Transportation at Nova Scotia Community College. In this position Angela develops and stewards’ sector specific programming strategies for the School in national, regional and provincial industry sectors. Under the direction of the Dean, she oversees the overall direction and implementation of School programming and priorities for pre-employment, apprenticeship, and customized industry trades related training. Before becoming School Manager in 2020 she held positions with NSCC since 2007 as an instructor in the Welding and Metal Fabrication programs. In 2018 she was awarded the Apprenticeship Award of Excellence by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

Kim Ducharme - Aspire Atlantic, Program Participant

Kim is a Halifax native who has also spent time living in Japan and Montreal. She has worked in various industries and has decided to pursue a personal interest in carpentry. She hopes her new skills will enable her to continue her main career as a flight attendant while allowing her to work with her hands and construct eye-catching feature walls in people's homes.

Session 7 - An Introduction to AKOMA's "Kinney Place"

Cheyenne Jones - Assistant Property Manager, Akoma Holdings

Cheyenne Jones is the Assistant Property Manager of Akoma Holdings. Akoma is a Black Owned, Black Run and Black Serving organization with a goal of creating economic prosperity and intergenerational living, for people of African descent in Nova Scotia. Akoma recently completed its first major development project with the renovation and opening of Kinney Place, and intergenerational centre and Black business incubator. Prior to Akoma, Cheyenne worked at the Department of Justice as a Human Trafficking Navigator and has several years experience working as a Property Manager for Killam REIT and non for profit housing. Cheyenne is currently pursuing her first undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, with a focus on the Black African Diaspora and Indigenous Studies in the International Development Program. Cheyenne is a global Ambassador for Dress for Success Worldwide and a human trafficking abolitionist.

Session 8 - The Halifax Affordable Community Land Trust Project: Seeking Community Feedback on Operations, Leadership, Decision Making, Scope, and Scale

Lisa Buchanan (Panel Facilitator) - Experience Design Coordinator

Lisa Buchanan is a facilitator and experience designer. She has fifteen years of experience chairing boards and committees, and now works as United Way Halifax’s experience design coordinator. To create meaningful, memorable experiences, Lisa takes a human-centred approach to gathering. She practices the Art of Hosting and other techniques for cultivating creativity, conversation, and collaboration (and she loves alliteration).

Lisa will lead us through our Community Land Trust Conversation along with special guests, Ilse VanWisse and Kevin Hooper.

Kevin Hooper - Manager Social Development and Partnerships - United Way Halifax

Kevin Hooper is a husband and father of three children. He is the Social Development and Partnerships Manager with United Way Halifax, and the Project Manager for Social Enterprise with the Atlantic Home Building and Renovation Sector Council. Kevin has a Masters in Urban Planning and over twenty-years experience working in various aspects of housing, including: Construction, management, housing supports, emergency shelters, policy, and advocacy.

Kevin is currently the Project Manager for a cross-sectoral partnership exploring Community Land Trust opportunities for Halifax.

Included below is a link to a quick youtube info video that can be helpful if Community Land Trusts interest you and you'd like to have extra information to prepare for this discussion at the Symposium:

YouTube CLT Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxXa3I8ECw

1-Pager Handout CLT: https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Halifax-Affordable-Housing-CLT-one-pager.pdf

Vivian MacDonald - Community Member working with Urban Indigenous Homeless.

Vivian will be joining on the Community Land Trust Panel to provide perspective on community interests.

Ilse Van Winssen - Research Associate, Pier Labs Consulting

Ilse is a research consultant with experience working with the public sector, research institutes, as well as not-for-profits. She has done extensive work in the housing sector with a focus on affordable housing and livable communities. As a researcher Ilse puts wellbeing and community needs at the center of her work.

Ilse and the team at Davis Pier have been leading the research for a Halifax Community Land Trust.

Ilse will help us to share what she and the team have learned from the literature and by interviewing other community land trusts. The Davis Pier team is also documenting what we hear from community to ensure the needs of communities are heard within a potential Halifax Community Land Trust.

Vivian McDonald - Reaching Home Administrator / Community member working in urban Indigenous homelessness

Vivian McDonald s employed in the Nova Scotia housing sector focusing on reducing urban Indigenous homelessness through the administration of the Indigenous stream of the federal Reaching Home initiative. Vivian is helping to provide a community-based perspective in approach to the development of the Community Land Trust, sharing a two-eyed seeing point of view that prioritizes diversity and cultural inclusivity. Vivian is involved in the coordination and facilitation of community engagement to ensure that the marginalized populations served in this affordable housing strategy can see themselves in the development and application of the Community Land Trust. For the CLT to adequately serve marginalized populations and the greater concept of community, each community needs to have their specific needs and interests heard, and further to be involved in addressing these discrepancies and incorporating solutions that fit their communities.

Session 9 - Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust (update) and Developing African Nova Scotian Housing Initiatives

Curtis Whiley - Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust

Curtis will provide an update on Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust (UHPCLT), then discuss the vision for collective community organizing. Curtis will help discuss the current mobilization of communities, current opportunities/barriers, vision for provincial coalition of African Nova Scotian (ANS) landowners. Curtis plans to include the work of the Black Community Housing Council and our provincial ANS Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy as well as advising on the development of the national Black Community Housing Technical Resource Center.

Poetry by Don Logan - Downtown Dartmouth Street Poet

Poetry from Street Poet, Don Logan, will be shared with the audience throughout the Housing Symposium.

"regarding Pablo Neruda "

by Don Logan

he kept going until the whole man stopped

then he only remembered the Earth

he no longer knew it

kept going until the whole man stopped

then his feet were finally freed from the prisons of socks n shoes

kept going until the whole man stopped

then his feet became a baby's n had butterfly wings

they were an apple that never falls from the limb

they will never again feel the pain of sharp rocks n pieces of glass

kept going until the whole man stopped

then he went to another Earth in the universe

where a baby's feet really can fly or be an apple suspended from the limb

n the baby's feet lived forever

always knowing they can fly or be an apple bulging on the limb