On The Way Home

What could Canada learn if we looked beyond our own borders at how other countries are tackling homelessness? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with leading housing researcher Nick Falvo about why global learning can be a powerful tool for local change. Drawing on his work across Canada and internationally, Nick shares what’s shifting in homelessness policy and where we may still be getting it wrong. He also offers a behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming 2027 study tour to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, including what participants will experience, why these cities were chosen, and how insights from the tour can be applied back home. With registration opening May 1, 2026, the conversation explores who these opportunities are for, what makes them valuable, and how knowledge-sharing can extend far beyond those who attend.Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with David Fry, CEO of LOFT Community Services, about leading supportive housing at a time when housing and healthcare systems are increasingly intertwined. Drawing on his background in home and community care leadership, David shares how his experience has shaped his view of housing as a critical part of the care continuum. He discusses his early vision for LOFT, the importance of partnerships between healthcare, housing, and community services, and the biggest gaps facing people with complex health and mental health needs in Ontario today. The conversation explores opportunities for system transformation, the dreams driving his leadership, and the bold moves needed to shift the trajectory of the housing crisis while improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Sheldon Polett, Executive Director of Raising the Roof, about how Canada’s housing and homelessness crisis has evolved over more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership. Sheldon reflects on what feels fundamentally different about today’s moment, what he is seeing across communities nationwide, and how organizations like Raising the Roof are responding through innovative and urgent initiatives. Drawing on his experience in youth homelessness and national coalition-building, he discusses where systems are still failing young people, what we are getting right, and where improvement is needed, as well as the importance of collaboration and sustaining the people doing this work. The conversation closes with practical ways individuals, businesses, and policymakers can help make a meaningful difference right now.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Robert Barnard, CEO of Toboggan Flats, about rethinking how cities support young people through innovative housing and data-driven design. Drawing on experience in advancing youth-friendly cities, Robert shares why vacant office buildings present a unique opportunity to create affordable co-living housing, what barriers are slowing adaptive reuse, and how we can work to better understand youth experiences. He explores how housing for young adults must go beyond affordability to include community, belonging, and mental well-being, and offers insights for young people seeking to reclaim space and influence the future of the cities they call home.Explore the Construct Canada Portal, flexible online learning designed to support and enhance your programming. Visit www.constructgta.ca to learn more and book a demo.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Jessica DeVreeze, Affordable Housing Team Leader with the City of Airdrie, about what it takes to move affordable housing from policy discussions into real implementation on the ground. Jessica reflects on her journey from policy strategy in Calgary to leading municipal housing initiatives, sharing what surprised her most about the realities of delivery and collaboration. She discusses the role municipalities play in advancing housing through land use, partnerships, and policy tools, explores the biggest barriers cities face today, and highlights lessons Canadian communities can learn from global and multicultural perspectives. Jessica also shares what gives her hope and what she believes must happen now to build more inclusive, affordable communities in the years ahead.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Jason Miles, a lived expert who shares his powerful journey from chronic homelessness and addiction to stability through supportive housing at Dunn House. Jason reflects on what life was like before having a home, the challenges of navigating cycles of instability, and what it feels like to finally have a place of safety and belonging. He discusses the role that supportive housing, community, and health services played in his recovery and wellness, and shares where he is today and his plans for the future. Drawing from lived experience, Jason offers insights for decision-makers about what works, helps listeners better understand the realities of homelessness, and shares his hopes for the future of supportive housing for others seeking a path out of instability.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Bailey Waukey, Strategic Advisor for Youth Engagement and First Nations Relations, about the power of youth voice, collaboration, and reconciliation in shaping better housing outcomes for Indigenous young people. Bailey shares his journey into youth reconciliation and strategy development, explains how he helps organizations design responses using their existing strengths, and reflects on why collaboration is often challenging and how it can be done with care and intention. He discusses the development of the Indigenous Youth Housing Strategy, what mattered most to youth in shaping it, and why the next phase of pilot funding is critical. Bailey also explores what meaningful reconciliation looks like in housing systems and offers practical guidance for organizations seeking to create stronger, more inclusive outcomes for Indigenous youth.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Brian Doucet about why solving the housing crisis requires more than simply building more market housing. Drawing from his research and his film Thinking Beyond the Market, Brian explains what non-market housing means in practice, why preserving existing affordable homes is as critical as creating new supply, and what Canada can do right now. He explores how displacement affects real families and communities, why housing cannot be separated from transportation and city planning, and highlights examples of solutions already working across Canada. Brian leaves listeners with practical ways governments, communities, and individuals can help push toward a more inclusive and genuinely affordable housing system.

In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Michelle Parisien, Director of Tenant Experience Operations at Ottawa Community Housing, about how thoughtful system design drives stronger tenant outcomes and healthier frontline teams. Michelle explains why service delivery models matter more than structure and organizational charts, how Lean principles can be applied in a people-centered public service environment, and how leaders can balance consistency with flexibility in complex housing systems. She shares real examples of how redesigning systems can outperform individual effort, reflects on preventing burnout while improving service quality, and offers practical guidance for leaders seeking to move from reactive mode toward continuous improvement and shared accountability.