Let's Talk Housing: a Podcast by BC Housing

The Legion Veterans Village (LVV) is an integrated centre of excellence for veterans and first responders focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health. In this episode, Sara talks with Melissa DeGenova, Director of Development Partnerships at VRS Communities, a nonprofit that owns and operates the new homes, and Brian Mckenna, a veteran and resident of LVV. They discuss the unique needs of veterans and first responders, and how integrated housing provides a sense of belonging, community and safety. Guests: Melissa DeGenova, Director, Development Partnerships, VRS Communities Brian Mckenna, Veteran

In this episode, Sara talks to Meera Mathew from the Existence Project and two storytellers to discuss how sharing personal stories can bring people from different backgrounds together and challenge the stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness. The Storyteller project helps people who've been homeless share their own stories to make a positive change in the way we talk about homelessness. Learn more about The Existence Project here: The Existence Project - Connecting The Community Through Storytelling https://www.theexistenceproject.ca/

This special live podcast panel event was held in February to honour Black History Month. The episode explores the challenges Black communities face in finding safe and affordable housing in Metro Vancouver. Guest host Mary Gerges, Executive Director of Reconciliation & Equity Strategies at BC Housing, speaks with Modupe Bankole-Longe from Hogan’s Alley Society, Jean-Claude Bakundukize from Swahili Vision International, and Bruk Melles from the City of Vancouver about their work to support housing for Black communities. Guests: Jean-Claude Bakundukize, Co-Founder of Swahili Vision International Modupe Bakole-Longe, Director of Research & Evaluation at Hogan’s Alley Society Bruk Melles, Director of Homelessness Services with the City of Vancouver Guest host Mary Gerges, Executive Director of Reconciliation & Equity Strategies at BC Housing To learn more about Hogan’s Alley Society, visit https://www.hogansalleysociety.org/ To learn more about Swahili Vision Society, visit https://swahilivision.org/

Carla Guerrera of Purpose Driven Developments and Carla Busnardo, Board Member of Soroptimist House talk about their innovative and ground-breaking housing redevelopment project in Vancouver – a 13-storey concrete tower at West 13th Avenue and Cambie Street which will provide 135 units of affordable housing for senior women, women-led families, and workforce women. It’s the only project in North America that’s providing housing for women by an all-woman team. The project is a visionary example of affordable housing built to best meet the needs of women. Guests: • Carla Guerrera, CEO and Founder of Purpose Driven Developments • Carla Busnardo, Chair of the Board of Soroptimist of Vancouver

This is a special joint episode with On the Way Home Podcast from the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Nova Scotia. In this episode, Michael Braithwaite from Blue Door and Sara Goldvine from BC Housing talk about why addressing stigma and misinformation is so crucial for building support for housing solutions. They also touch on the importance of creating community for folks in need of housing and creating a safe space for them to thrive.

Vancouver’s Chinatown has been home to newcomers for generations, including many immigrants from China who were often excluded from other neighborhoods. In this episode, Sara talks with Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S, and Tim Lam, whose grandfather lived in Chinatown for many years. His home, Grace Manor was sold in 2021, leaving Tim’s grandfather and other residents without much time to find a new place to live. This is when S.U.C.C.E.S.S stepped in to run the building, with funding from the Province through BC Housing. Tim shares his grandfather’s journey, including the importance of culturally inclusive community. Guests: - Queenie Choo, CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S - Tim Lam, grandchild of senior living in Grace Seniors Housing - 第六集簡介 溫哥華華埠一直以來是新移民的家園，幾代人的居所，包括很多來自於中國的移民，他們曾經常常在其他社區遭到排斥。在本集中，Sara和中僑互助會行政總裁周潘坤玲（Queenie Choo）以及一位華埠多年住戶的孫兒Tim Lam對話。Tim 的祖父所居住的房屋Grace Manor 在2021年被出售，令他和其他住戶沒有多少時間來尋找新的地方居住。這個時候中僑互助會在卑詩省房屋局的支持下介入，營運這棟大樓。Tim分享他的祖父的經歷，以及建設文化包容社區的重要性。 嘉賓： - 周潘坤玲（Queenie Choo）, 中僑互助會行政總裁 - Tim Lam, Grace Seniors Housing 住戶的孫兒

For many young people, moving into their first home is challenging. It’s even more so for youth with disabilities, who face additional barriers. In this episode, Sara talks with Linden, a resident of The Village at Pleasant Valley, Linden’s mother, Andrea, and Cindy Masters, executive director, Okanagan Village Housing Society. They discuss Linden’s journey to his own home and the importance of accessible housing. Guests:

Sara continues the conversation with Kathleen MacKinnon from Turning Points Collaborative Society and Nanette Drobot from BC Housing, exploring the warm community welcome folks received once arriving in Penticton, and the lasting impacts collaboration had on Turning Points staff. To learn more about Turning Points Collaborative Society, visit: https://turningpoints.ngo/

This past summer, Canada had its worst wildfire season on record. In this two-part series, Sara speaks with Kathleen MacKinnon from Turning Points Collaborative Society and BC Housing’s Nanette Drobot about how partners worked together using a trauma-informed approach to evacuate people experiencing homelessness from the raging wildfires in Kelowna. To learn more about Turning Points Collaborative Society, visit: https://turningpoints.ngo/

Kiwassa Neighbourhood House is helping young people in East Vancouver thrive, despite the many challenges they face. In this episode, Sara speaks with Rohani Seddiq, who runs Kiwassa's summer youth program at a BC Housing property. Rohani shares her story as a refugee and immigrant growing up in BC Housing, along with her mission to empower East Vancouver's youth. To learn more about Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, visit kiwassa.ca

Minister Ravi Kahlon shares his thoughts on the biggest housing challenges facing British Columbia and the efforts being made to address them. The Minister shares his vision for the future of housing in the Province. Sara also speaks to Minister Kahlon about what it means to be the first Minister dedicated to housing, his approach to leadership, and what he has learned in his first 10 months in the role. Guests: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, British Columbia

Sara speaks to filmmaker Joseph Kafka and storyteller Patrick Stewart about an Indigenous-led video series titled ‘Where Are All My Relations’. Each story offers a human perspective on the data associated with an overrepresentation of Indigenous people in homeless counts. Home is a sense of belonging and connection. Patrick and Joseph explore the unique pathways into homelessness for Indigenous people. They discuss how Indigenous-led approaches are offering hope for a brighter future. To watch the “Where are All My Relations?” video series, visit lnhs.ca or find them on YouTube @LumaNativeHousingSociety Guests: Simoogit Saa Bax, Patrick Stewart, Senior Director, Lu’ma Native Housing Society Joseph Kafka, Filmmaker, Little Bird Media

This week we’re resharing an interview with Sairoz Sekhon, Director of Women’s Transition Housing & Supports Program at BC Housing, and Allison McLauchlan, Executive Director at Kelowna Women’s Shelter. This episode explores what women’s transition housing is, the types of housing and services provided, and why this type of housing is critical. We also discuss some of the challenges that women at-risk face, particularly Indigenous women. Guests include: Sairoz Sekhon, Director, Women’s Transition Housing and Supports Program, BC Housing Allison McLauchlan, Executive Director, Kelowna Women’s Shelter Learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org Women in BC who need more info about programs/services for people fleeing violence can call or text Victim Link: 1-800-563-0808

We hear a lot about single room occupancy (SRO) hotels in the news - most of it pretty grim. In today's episode, Sara visits the Rainier Hotel, a low-barrier SRO located in Vancouver’s Gastown. It’s home to self-identifying women, many of whom have experienced trauma and violence. In this episode, Sara tours the Rainier with Tanya Fader, Director of Housing for the PHS Community Services Society, and talks with Karen, one of the residents. Guests include: Tanya Fader, Director of Housing, PHS Community Services Society Karen, Resident, the Rainier Hotel Learn more about BC Housing: Home (bchousing.org)

Getting affordable, rental housing is hard for large families. Finding homes with enough space for kids, in a family-friendly neighbourhood, can be challenging. On this episode, Sara talks with Stanley Ihemanma, tenant and father of three young boys, about some of the obstacles he encountered. Stanley secured stable family housing for this family through the Greater Victoria Housing Society (GVHS). Virginia Holden, Executive Director, GVHS, talks about the importance of supporting, and growing, family housing. Guests include: Stanley Ihemanma, Tenant Virginia Holden, Executive Director, Greater Victoria Housing Society Learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org

More than 30,000 people live in co-op housing in BC. Together, co-op members are creating homes and communities. Like other housing groups, co-op members face challenges, aging buildings and higher construction costs. Sara talks with Thom Armstrong, CEO, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and Tiffany Duzita, Executive Director, Community Land Trust. They discuss how partnerships, committed co-op members, and access to financing from partners like BC Housing and Vancity help co-ops thrive. Guests: Thom Armstrong, CEO, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC Tiffany Duzita, Executive Director, Community Land Trust More: Province finances affordable co-op housing in Burnaby | BC Housing News

Climate change is spurring architects and housing developers around the world to think about how to make homes more comfortable and safe during extreme weather. Those who are most at risk from climate change are marginalized populations, including: people with low incomes, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities. Vienna House is a project being built in Vancouver that is creating affordable housing resilient to climate change. In this episode, Sara talks with John Wall, project architect, about how passive design will make Vienna House more affordable and comfortable for residents. Project partners: BC Housing, City of Vancouver’s Affordable Housing Agency, More Than A Roof Housing Society, the City of Vienna in partnership with the City of Vancouver. Guest: John Wall, Architect, Public Architecture and Communications Learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org

About six million Canadians aged 15 and older have one or more disabilities. That number is expected to grow. This episode explores how BC Housing is designing homes for people of all ages and abilities. Sara talks with two accessible housing design advocates, an architect and an accessibility specialist, both working on BC Housing projects. They discuss how accessible housing benefits everyone. Guests include: Darby Lee Young, Founder & Principal Accessibility Strategist, Level Playing Field Inc. Brad Tone, Architect & Director of Development, Vancouver Resource Society (VRS) To learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org

Project Rise is a new program in Nanaimo that helps people in supportive housing find employment. Run by Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS), Project Rise provides skill-training and opportunities for internship. People involved in the project join Sara on this episode of Let’s Talk Housing to discuss the innovative program. To learn more about Project Rise, read our Community Story below: https://news.bchousing.org/breaking-barriers-to-employment-in-nanaimo/ Guests include: Corrie Corfield, Director of People, Culture & Engagement, Island Crisis Care Society Stephen Cochrane, Coordinator, Project Rise, Island Crisis Care Society Don, Project Rise Graduate Learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org

The first dedicated women-only shelter in Kamloops opened this fall, providing specialized services for women experiencing homelessness. Harbour House is operated by The Mustard Seed, a local not-for-profit. Katie Hutchins from The Mustard Seed joins Sara on this episode of Let’s Talk Housing to discuss why this shelter is so important in the community. Guests include: Katie Hutchins, Manager of Administration, Mustard Seed Kamloops Find community-based shelters near you: smap.bchousing.org Learn more about BC Housing: bchousing.org