On The Way Home

What if affordable housing could be built faster, more efficiently, and on a greater scale without sacrificing quality? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Joshua Benard, Executive Vice President of Real Estate Development & Construction from Habitat for Humanity GTA about the organization’s new Build Factory initiative and its potential to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing. The conversation explores how factory-built construction differs from traditional methods, why the model could help address labour and efficiency challenges, and what it takes to bring innovative housing solutions from concept to reality. Josh also discusses the partnerships behind the project, common misconceptions about factory-built housing, and their vision for how the Build Factory could contribute to accelerating affordable housing development across Canada.

More than one million Ontario households are now estimated to need subsidized housing, and that number is expected to keep growing. In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly welcomes back Marlene Coffey, CEO at ONPHA, to unpack the findings of the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario’s latest report, An Update on Subsidized Housing Programs. Together, they explore why housing needs continue to outpace investment, the growing reliance on rent supplements, and what it means that rent-geared-to-income and below-market housing are projected to decline. The conversation examines the pressures facing municipalities and the role of non-profit housing providers. While the numbers are staggering, Marlene also shares what gives her hope and what we can prioritize to build a stronger and more sustainable affordable housing system for the future.

When rent consumes most of a household’s income, what gets sacrificed next? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank, about why Canada’s largest food bank is now advocating for housing policy reform. As food bank usage reaches record highs, Neil shares why he is “mad” and listeners have the opportunity to hear that frustration fueling his fight against hunger, poverty, and food insecurity through a tangible solution. He explains the growing connection between rising rents, poverty, and homelessness, and makes the case for a proposed Federal Rent Relief Tax Credit. The conversation explores what Daily Bread is hearing directly from service users, how housing costs are driving financial crisis for families, and what governments, non-profits, and communities can do to prevent more Canadians from being forced to choose between paying rent and meeting basic needs.

What happens when someone leaves jail with nowhere to go? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Shannon Speirs, Executive Director of the John Howard Society of York Region, about the often-overlooked link between incarceration and homelessness. Drawing on the findings of the From Incarceration to Encampment report, Shannon explains how thousands of Ontarians are released from custody each year with no fixed address and why the justice system can become a pipeline into housing instability. She explores the barriers people face when trying to reintegrate and the policy solutions that could break this cycle. It’s a powerful conversation about prevention, dignity, and why housing must be part of any serious justice reform.

What does it mean to treat housing not just as infrastructure, but as a human right grounded in identity, culture, and self-determination? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Margaret Pfoh, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, about the power and responsibility of Indigenous-led housing. Drawing on her roots in the Ginaxgiik Tribe and Gisputdwada Clan of the Tsimshian Nation, as well as her personal journey navigating identity after being raised outside of her culture, Margaret reflects on how her experiences shape her leadership and approach to housing. She shares how Indigenous worldviews are reshaping housing systems across British Columbia and beyond, and reflects on the transformation of AHMA, the creation of the Building BC Indigenous Housing Fund, and the importance of Indigenous leadership at every level of decision-making. The conversation also explores encampment responses, long-term planning through the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, and what it will take to ensure Indigenous housing solutions are fully resourced for generations to come.

What if Ontario’s next housing bill were written with a clear objective: to deliver significantly more non-profit and below-market housing across the province? In this special panel episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly moderates a forward-looking conversation with John Fox Partner at Robins Appleby LLP, Nick Gefucia Senior Vice President, Affordable Housing at EllisDon Community Builders, and Andrew McKenzie Director of Operations at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association. Together, they explore what recent housing legislation has achieved and where there is opportunity for us to do better. The discussion explores the possibilities of what specific policies, financing tools, land strategies, and regulatory reforms could be included in the next housing bill to facilitate scale. From practical changes to bold ideas, this is a candid conversation about what it would take to fundamentally shift the trajectory of community housing in Ontario.

What if Canada’s housing challenge is not only about supply, but about how the entire system is designed to deliver at scale? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Lisa Ker, Executive Director of the Community Housing Transformation Centre, alongside Development Managers Joseph Daniels, Dawn Campbell, and Luc Labelle, about how community housing can evolve from a fragmented sector into a coordinated system, and ultimately a mature industry capable of meeting Canada’s growing needs. Drawing on their cross-country review of housing models in every province and territory, they unpack themes such as autonomy, risk-sharing, partnerships, and portfolio-based approaches. The conversation also offers a preview of the Centre’s new housing report being released this spring, highlighting where Canada is making progress, where it is falling short, and what policy, structural, and mindset shifts could unlock more scalable and sustainable community housing solutions.

As student housing costs rise and traditional models fall short, new approaches are emerging that center community, equity, and affordability. In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy Kelly speaks with Nathi Zamisa Co-Executive Director of HOUSE Canada, about how co-operative and non-profit housing can reshape the student housing landscape. Drawing on his work across Toronto and Mississauga, they explore the barriers students face today, gaps in practice and policy, and what it takes to scale non-market housing models. The conversation also highlights sustainability, and collaboration in building a more inclusive housing system and what gives him hope for what comes next.

What does it take to lead through complexity without losing sight of long-term change? In this episode of On the Way Home, Emmy speaks with Ala’a Shadid, Executive Director of the Multifaith Housing Initiative, about navigating the tension between day-to-day operations and building toward systems transformation. Ala’a reflects on his journey into housing and the realities of leadership in a sector often stuck in reactive mode, challenging us to “stop normalizing crisis” and move toward more sustainable, proactive approaches. He shares insights on partnerships, governance, and responsible growth, offering a thoughtful perspective on how organizations can scale their impact without losing their mission in an increasingly complex housing landscape.