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.
By: Al Emadian, Amazon Key Last month at the ONPHA Conference, Amazon Key had the honour of presenting this year’s Tenant Achievement Award. Here’s a closer look at what Amazon Key does, and what it can mean for your buildings. Your main entrance is doing extra work… Read more of the article: How to get packages inside your buildings without the buzz-in
As I reflect on an incredible week at the 2026 ONPHA Conference and Indigenous Housing Provider Gathering in Toronto, I'm filled with gratitude, pride and optimism for the future of our sector. Read more of the article: The ties that bring our sector together: Reflections on the 2026 ONPHA Conference
Housing providers are looking for new ways to make better use of community spaces, expand resident services and respond to changing community needs. Partnerships can be an important part of that work. Read more of the article: How partnerships help housing providers do more
When a 92-year-old is discharged from hospital after a fall, excited to go home, and the only bathroom in his house is up 14 stairs, whose problem is that? The hospital’s? The housing provider’s? His own? At the 2025 ONPHA Conference, a… Read more of the article: Why we can no longer separate housing from health
For Ontario’s community housing providers, procurement has never been simple, but the past year has introduced a new level of complexity. We’ve heard from ONPHA members that they are navigating rising costs, shifting supplier dynamics, and new procurement requirements, all while working within fixed budgets and responding to… Read more of the article: Ontario housing procurement: Trends, risks, and practical solutions
As the government prepares its next set of housing investments through Ontario’s 2026 Budget, ONPHA has shared recommendations that highlight a clear message: Ontario’s community housing sector is ready to help build, protect, and operate more affordable homes, and with the right supports and partnerships, we… Read more of the article: Ontario’s 2026 Budget: Community Housing Is Ready to Deliver
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… 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… 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,… 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… Read more of the article: How Winnie Peters Built Kingston’s Model for Indigenous Housing
