By: Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations, ONPHA

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.

Close to 1,000 housing providers, government representatives, sector leaders, community partners and exhibitors came together for three days of learning, connection and conversation. We shared experiences, explored new ideas, and looked at what it will take to move housing forward with intention.

The little things that say a lot

One of the most meaningful moments for me came through a simple but thoughtful gift from ONPHA member Dawn Sutherland, Executive Director of Anduhyaun Inc.: friendship bracelets with the words SHINE and DREAM. They became a source of motivation throughout the Conference and a reminder of what makes our sector so special and what we’re capable of achieving together.

Two simple words, but they capture so much of what I took away from the week.

SHINE represents the energy, wisdom, resilience and leadership I witnessed. From housing providers sharing their experiences, to government and community partners exploring new opportunities to work together, our sector continues to show up with purpose and determination.

DREAM reflects our ability to turn ideas into reality. Throughout the Conference, we heard about the opportunities and challenges ahead, from building more homes and preserving existing community housing to strengthening supports and creating more sustainable housing solutions.

We had a great opportunity to bring our provincial and federal partners together for a leadership breakfast and to hear their updates at our Welcome Plenary. We talked about the pressures of rising construction costs, lengthy development timelines and what it will take to bring more housing to market, along with the opportunities through Build Canada Homes and the next iteration of the National Housing Strategy.

Just as importantly, we saw how much our advocacy messages are resonating. There is growing recognition of the expertise, experience, and connections that community housing providers bring, and the important role our sector can play in addressing Ontario’s housing challenges.

I had a number of people ask me about the T-shirt I wore on stage: “Community housing is social infrastructure.”

It’s a message we’ve been championing together for years as a sector, and one that captures why this work matters. Community housing is foundational to strong communities, a healthy economy and a better future for everyone. It’s encouraging to see this message gaining traction and to see governments and partners increasingly recognize the value our sector brings to Ontario.

It’s the people who make it special

What stood out most this week was the collective spirit of ONPHA members. You have that unique “vibe”: a combination of passion, commitment, expertise and heart that makes this sector unlike any other.

I’m grateful to be part of what I believe is the most meaningful sector there is. Because everything starts with a home.

Housing supports health, education, community connection, economic participation and opportunity. It creates jobs, strengthens neighbourhoods and helps people build better futures. Through building, preserving and improving homes, we make all of that possible.

That’s powerful.

Help us make the next one even better

There’s always room to improve, and we want to hear what you thought of this year’s Conference, what resonated with you and what you’d like to see next year. Your feedback and ideas help us build on each Conference and make the next one even better.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Conference and Indigenous Housing Provider Gathering such a success. To our members, speakers, government representatives, partners, sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers: thank you for your contributions and continued commitment to this work.

And thank you to Dawn for the bracelets. I’ll be keeping them close as a reminder to keep shining, keep dreaming and keep moving forward together.

There is so much potential in our sector. Don’t stop moving forward. The future we’re building together is worth it.