ONPHA’s blog is your go-to source for news, insights, and resources related to community housing in Ontario. Stay up-to-date on sector trends, government policies on housing, and practical management tips.
Discover inspiring stories of local community housing initiatives, learn about funding opportunities, and empower yourself with the information you need to make a positive impact on non-profit housing in your community.
Imagine building every car in the world as a G-Wagon. You’d end up with a lot of people walking to work. In many ways, that’s what Ontario’s housing system is doing today: producing housing at a price point many tenants cannot afford. That analogy, from Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations… Read more of the article: Why Community Housing is Ontario’s Social Infrastructure Engine
How three seniors transformed food insecurity into a model of tenant-led care Seniors Supporting Seniors in Community Housing In a London and Middlesex Community Housing (LMHC) building, half the tenants now rely on a food bank run entirely by the people living there. It’s called the Caring Cupboard. It began with three women – Virginia Harrie, Fran Wassmer, and Mary Blancher – who refused to… Read more of the article: When Neighbours Become Lifelines
Meet Deqa Nur, a Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) tenant who transformed her neighbours’ struggles into an initiative that reshaped her community. Strengthening community from the ground up How can you strengthen the community when you have no formal authority, no organizational budget, and no title on your door? For Deqa Nur, a… Read more of the article: How One Tenant’s Vision Created Lasting Community Impact
“We don’t need more police in encampments; we need more Winnie Peters.” This testimonial from Bruce Davis at Public Progress captures the impact of Winnie Peters’ 25 years in community housing. In a city where Indigenous people make up just 3.4% of the population but represent 31% of those experiencing homelessness,… Read more of the article: How Winnie Peters Built Kingston’s Model for Indigenous Housing
When affordable housing units disappear faster than they can be built, it takes a changemaker willing to turn the tides. Krystal Valencia didn’t wait for the system to catch up to the crisis. In just over a year, she built an innovative solution that addresses one of the sector’s more urgent challenges: a unique affordable housing acquisition model… Read more of the article: Racing the Market: How a young leader is rescuing affordable housing at private-sector speed
Housing is essential. But it’s only the beginning. What happens when housing support goes beyond walls and doors? When a woman and her children flee violence, finding safe housing is only the first step. The real challenge is everything that follows: healing from trauma, reclaiming independence, and rebuilding a life from the ground up, all while managing the stress of finding permanent affordable housing. … Read more of the article: Beyond Housing: How a provider uses trauma-informed models to support healing
Reinventing capital planning for sustainable, 100-year homes When ONPHA member, Circle Community LandTrust, took ownership of over 600 single-family homes across Toronto in 2022, they faced a familiar choice: make the urgent fixes and get units rented quickly, or pause and ask a bigger question. They chose the bigger… Read more of the article: Rethinking rent-ready: How a housing provider is building affordable housing for the next century
Three days. Countless conversations. One clear message: Housing at the Heart is our path forward. The 2025 ONPHA Conference brought together housing leaders, policy makers, and community partners from across Ontario to share ideas, celebrate progress, and shape the future of community housing. Read more of the article: 3 Takeaways from the 2025 ONPHA Conference
As a professional in a sector dedicated to serving the community, you already know that relationships are the core of what makes great organizations. Your work in community housing is highly authentic. So, when you attend the one of the sector’s biggest events of the year, the 2025 ONPHA… Read more of the article: Lead, Spark, Build: Three Steps for Impactful Networking
If you work in community housing, you know the stakes. You know what it takes to stretch limited resources, to innovate under pressure, and to support people with compassion and resilience. That knowledge is powerful, and it’s needed at the decision-making table. Joining a board is a chance to shape… Read more of the article: Bring your frontline experience to the boardroom
