The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) was pleased to support PhD student Alyssa Schenk as she presented her research at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE) Conference, held in Ottawa, Ontario, from June 4–7, 2026.

Alyssa presented her paper, Decolonizing Practice Through Decolonizing the Mind: Sikolohiyang Pilipino Beyond Borders, which explored the application of Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology) in studying and providing care to Filipinos. Her research emphasized its importance in understanding the lived realities and material conditions of the Filipino experience beyond borders, particularly across generations of Filipino Canadians. Her research examined the responsibilities of Filipino social workers, academics, and community care workers as colonized peoples living as settler-migrants. She argues that meaningful decolonizing social work practice begins with the decolonization of one’s own mind. She also discusses the reciprocal nature of Filipino culture and identity and how the process of decolonizing one’s mind provides the foundation for learning to respect and honour the land and its original stewards while fostering revolutionary futures.

By centring Filipino Indigenous epistemologies and reciprocal relationships, her work contributes to more culturally grounded and socially just approaches to social work research, education, and practice. As Canada sees the emergence of third- and fourth-generation Filipino Canadians, Alyssa’s research addresses an important gap in social work scholarship by advancing Filipino Indigenous ways of knowing and encouraging critical reflection on colonialism, identity, and solidarity.

Reflecting on the support she received, Alyssa shared that CSPSC funding enabled her to participate in the conference despite limited funding opportunities during her doctoral studies and the challenges of travelling from British Columbia to attend academic events in other provinces. She added that the conference provided valuable opportunities to connect with researchers, educators, and practitioners committed to advancing decolonizing and socially just approaches to social work.

Alyssa also noted that presenting at the conference allowed her to share Filipino Indigenous epistemologies and methodologies with a broader community of scholars and practitioners. She hopes these conversations will help expand this under-researched area while fostering more culturally responsive approaches to social work in Canada.

The CSPSC is proud to support graduate student research that advances critical scholarship, strengthens knowledge mobilization, and contributes to more equitable and inclusive communities.

For more information about the CSPSC Student Research Support Program, please visit the CSPSC website.

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The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) is pleased to support Emily Paquette-Leahy, a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University, through its Student Research Grant Support Program.

With support from the CSPSC, Emily attended and presented at the European Conference for Social Work Research 2026 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Her presentation, “Beyond Economics: Ethics of Adopting a Universal Basic Income Program Under a Neoliberal Regime in Canada from a Social Work Values Perspective,” examined universal basic income (UBI) proposals in Canada through the lens of social work ethics and values.

Emily’s research critically explores the growing popularity of UBI in Canadian policy discussions while challenging assumptions that the policy is inherently progressive. Her work highlights the importance of social workers engaging in debates about poverty reduction, social welfare, and the future of the welfare state.

“Universal basic income has become an increasingly popular policy proposal in Canada,” said Emily. “As social workers, we should be at the forefront of discussions about poverty reduction and social welfare. This research encourages us to think critically about the kind of welfare state we want to build and to imagine more transformative possibilities for our communities.”

The CSPSC Student Research Grant Support Program helps students overcome financial barriers to participating in academic conferences by providing opportunities to share their research, build professional networks, and engage with scholars and practitioners from around the world.

“As a graduate student and OSAP recipient, I am particularly grateful for this support,” Emily said. “The funding enabled me to attend the European Conference for Social Work Research, present my work internationally, and receive invaluable feedback in a setting that would not otherwise have been easily accessible to me.”

Reflecting on the experience, Emily noted that the conference provided opportunities to engage in thought-provoking discussions with social work scholars from across Europe and to gain new perspectives on social policy and practice. These experiences have strengthened her academic interests and are particularly meaningful as she prepares for the next stage of her career and explores doctoral studies in Canada and abroad.

The CSPSC is proud to support students like Emily, whose research contributes to critical conversations about poverty and social citizenship. Through initiatives such as the Student Research Support Program, the Centre continues to foster student scholarship and promote the dissemination of research that advances equitable and inclusive social policy.

For more information about the CSPSC Student Research Support Program, please visit the CSPSC website.

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Ottawa, ON, March 24, 2026 — Addressing homelessness in Ottawa and across Ontario requires a fundamental shift in how systems are designed, coordinated, and resourced. This was a central message shared by Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, during her presentation at the Housing Affordability Symposium hosted by the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University.

Drawing on recent data, Burkholder Harris outlined the scale and urgency of the homelessness crisis in Ontario. Homelessness continues to rise alongside increasing shelter capacity, expanding encampments, and widespread reliance on rent subsidies across municipalities. In Ottawa, thousands of individuals are currently in shelters or temporary accommodations, including hundreds of families with children, while hundreds more are living unsheltered.

She emphasized that homelessness is becoming increasingly complex. Changes in the drug supply, limited opportunities for community connection, and growing support needs are reshaping the landscape and placing additional pressure on service systems.

Burkholder Harris also highlighted critical limitations in current approaches. Systems that prioritize emergency response, while necessary, can unintentionally create “pipeline systems” that move individuals through shelters without addressing the underlying causes of housing instability. She noted that risk escalation within these systems often redirects resources away from prevention, reinforcing cycles of chronic homelessness.

To address these challenges, she called for a shift toward prevention, diversion, and coordinated system design. Prevention and diversion must serve as the foundation of an effective response, alongside housing and supports. She also emphasized the importance of real-time data systems, such as By-Name Lists and coordinated data platforms, to better understand patterns of homelessness and improve outcomes through informed decision-making.

A key focus of her presentation was the need to scale non-market housing. Burkholder Harris highlighted the growing gap between what households can afford and current market rents, noting that non-profit housing provides long-term affordability and becomes more cost-effective over time. Expanding this type of housing will require coordinated action across zoning, financing, land use, and partnerships.

She further emphasized the importance of designing systems that are flexible, coordinated, and responsive to people’s needs. This includes improving communication across agencies, aligning assessments, and ensuring that individuals are connected to both housing and the supports necessary for long-term stability.

Central to this vision is the role of lived expertise. Burkholder Harris underscored that meaningful system change must be informed by those with direct experience of homelessness, ensuring that solutions are practical, effective, and grounded in lived realities.

Her presentation concluded with a message of cautious optimism. Examples from other jurisdictions, such as Medicine Hat and Houston, demonstrate that homelessness can be significantly reduced through coordinated and well-resourced systems. However, achieving this outcome will require addressing political, bureaucratic, and structural barriers, as well as a willingness to rethink existing approaches.

The presentation reinforced a clear takeaway for attendees. Ending homelessness is possible, but it will require sustained, system-wide transformation.

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On March 24, 2026, the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University convened community leaders, researchers, policymakers, service providers, and students for a timely and solutions-focused Housing Affordability Symposium. The program featured three thematic panels, a keynote address, and a collective recommendations session designed to move from dialogue to action. The event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Allison Everett, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work.

Panel 1: Housing Affordability Crisis, Data and Policies

Setting the foundation for the day, Panel 1 examined the structural forces driving housing unaffordability across Canada and within Ottawa. Moderated by Dr. Pamela Grassau, the panel featured presentations by Andrew Crosby (ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University, Geography & Environmental Studies) and Sajidul Quayum (Policy Analyst, Homelessness Policy Directorate) examined long-term trends, including rising housing costs, the loss of affordable rental units, and the increasing financialization of housing. They highlighted the growing mismatch between housing costs and incomes, noting that about one-third of renter households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, with many exceeding 50 percent, alongside a loss of affordable rental units and rising shelter costs. The speakers traced these trends to policy shifts in the 1980s and 1990s, when reduced governmental involvement in housing increased reliance on market-based solutions, and emphasized the financialization of housing, where properties are treated as investment assets by real estate investment trusts and large asset management firms, contributing to rising rents, evictions, and declining affordability.

The panel also addressed the scale and complexity of homelessness in Canada, noting that over 67,000 people experience homelessness on a given night, with longer shelter stays and rising chronic homelessness reflecting deeper structural challenges. Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians, newcomers, and individuals with child welfare system involvement are disproportionately affected, while gaps in data and coordination limit effective policy responses. Overall, the panel underscored that the housing crisis is not only a supply issue, but the result of long-term policy decisions that have reduced access to affordable housing and weakened protections for vulnerable populations.

Panel 2: Lived Experience and Community Solutions

Moderated by Dr. Katherine Occhiuto, Panel 2 brought together frontline leaders and community voices, including Rob Boyd (Ottawa Inner City Health), Sahada Alolo (Multifaith Housing Initiative), John Heckbert (Operation Come Home), and Lucky Dykstra-Santos (ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University).

This panel emphasized that addressing homelessness requires sustained investment in non-market housing and the organizations that provide it. Speakers highlighted the critical role of non-profit and community-based housing providers in delivering stable, affordable housing options and stressed the need to better resource these organizations to scale their impact.

A key takeaway from this discussion was the importance of wraparound supports for individuals and families facing homelessness. Panellists underscored that housing alone is not sufficient, particularly for those experiencing complex challenges. Integrated supports, including healthcare, mental health services, income supports, and community connections, are essential to ensuring long-term housing stability. The panel also emphasized that effective solutions must be grounded in lived experience, support autonomy, and be designed with a focus on dignity, equity, and inclusion.

Panel 3: Pathways Forward, Policies and Partnerships

Looking ahead, Panel 3 turned to what meaningful progress could look like and how it might be achieved through coordinated action. Moderated by CSPSC Chair, Dr. Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa, the panel featured Jacqueline Kennelly (Director, A Safe and Affordable Place to Call Home), Sara Cooper (Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa), and Michele Biss (National Right to Housing Network).

This discussion emphasized the importance of cross-sector partnerships in scaling solutions, from expanding non-market housing to advancing affordable homeownership models. Panellists also highlighted the need to align housing policy with a human rights framework, recognizing housing as essential to dignity and well-being. Together, the panel outlined a pathway forward grounded in collaboration, policy innovation, and long-term investment.

Presentations showcased the impact of organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Greater Ottawa, emphasizing how affordable homeownership improves health, educational outcomes, and economic stability, while generating strong social returns on investment. Speakers outlined strategies to scale these efforts through partnerships across municipalities, non-profits, and private developers, including land donations, reduced development fees, and streamlined approvals.

The panels also advanced a human rights-based approach to housing, grounded in Canada’s National Housing Strategy Act, which frames housing as a fundamental right and calls for coordinated policy action, stronger protections, and accountability to ensure access to safe, adequate, and affordable housing for all. The right to adequate housing is not just about housing programs but also about legal protections of housing rights, tax measures, planning, and regulation of investors. Presenters argued that addressing the housing crisis requires not only new housing supply, but also stronger legal protections, regulatory measures, and accountability mechanisms.

From Insight to Action

The symposium concluded with a “Collective Insights and Recommendations” session, moderated by Allison Everett, where participants engaged in facilitated discussions to identify actionable priorities for the next 12 to 24 months. These insights will inform a forthcoming CSPSC report and future initiatives.

The day also featured a keynote address by Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, who reinforced a central message echoed throughout the symposium: addressing homelessness requires a shift toward housing-first, prevention-focused, and systems-level solutions. A key focus of her presentation was the need to scale non-market housing. Burkholder Harris highlighted the growing gap between what households can afford and current market rents, noting that non-profit housing provides long-term affordability and becomes more cost-effective over time. Expanding this type of housing will require coordinated action across zoning, financing, land use, and partnerships.

She further emphasized the importance of designing systems that are flexible, coordinated, and responsive to people’s needs. This includes improving communication across agencies, aligning assessments, and ensuring that individuals are connected to both housing and the supports necessary for long-term stability.

Moving Forward: Housing Solutions for Ottawa

Across all presentations and discussions, a clear message emerged: the housing affordability crisis is rooted in structural and systemic factors that require coordinated, multi-level responses. Addressing the crisis will require a shift away from treating housing primarily as a market commodity toward recognizing it as a fundamental human right. The symposium emphasized the need to integrate data, policy reform, community-based solutions, and lived experience to build a more equitable and sustainable housing system.

The CSPSC Housing Affordability Symposium underscored that while the crisis is complex, it is solvable through coordinated, evidence-based, and community-informed approaches. Expanding non-market housing, strengthening community supports, and advancing policy reform were identified as key priorities. CSPSC extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, partners, and participants for contributing to a thoughtful and impactful event.

Photos from the event can be viewed .

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As part of the Housing Affordability Symposium hosted by the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University, CSPSC invited Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, to reflect on three critical questions shaping the future of housing policy and homelessness response in Ottawa.

Her responses offer a clear and urgent call for system level change grounded in prevention, non-market housing, and community informed solutions.

What Are We Still Failing to See?

Burkholder Harris highlighted a critical but often overlooked reality. Children represent the largest group experiencing homelessness in Ottawa. Approximately 1,400 children are currently affected, with an estimated 600 to 700 families staying in shelters. She also pointed to the growing gap between rental costs and affordability. Rent is too expensive. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Ottawa is approximately $2,100 per month, while the maximum affordable rent for many households is closer to $1,700, based on the standard that housing should not exceed 30 percent of income.

According to Burkholder Harris, current systems are contributing to increasing complexity. By focusing primarily on chronic homelessness and waiting until individuals have been without housing for extended periods, systems are inadvertently creating new cycles of need. She emphasized that most individuals in shelters do not require intensive supports and would benefit from access to housing with lighter-touch assistance. However, approximately 15 to 20 percent of individuals have more complex needs, and the level of support required for this group is increasing.

As she put it, “Shelter is not the answer. Housing and the right supports are the answer.”

What Solutions Are Already Working?

Burkholder Harris pointed to diversion strategies as one of the most effective approaches currently in use. Diversion focuses on preventing individuals and families from entering the shelter system in the first place, helping to reduce long-term demand and pressure on emergency services. She noted that these approaches are already producing measurable results and should be expanded as part of a broader strategy.

In addition, she emphasized the importance of scaling supportive housing and expanding non-market housing options. These models provide more stable and affordable pathways for individuals and families and are essential to addressing the structural roots of the crisis.

What Must Change Now?

Looking ahead, Burkholder Harris called for a significant shift in how institutions, policymakers, and communities respond to housing insecurity. She emphasized the need to prioritize prevention and diversion as the starting point of the system, rather than relying on emergency responses. This includes investing heavily in non-market housing, particularly family-sized units that reflect the needs of those most affected.

She also suggested rethinking the role of shelters and transitional housing. This includes converting congregate shelters into single-room occupancy models for individuals and transitioning many existing transitional housing programs into permanent non-market housing, reflecting how they already function in practice.

For individuals with complex needs, Burkholder Harris stressed that incremental changes will not be sufficient. New models must be developed, and these must be designed in partnership with people who have lived experience of homelessness.

A Clear Path Forward

Burkholder Harris’ remarks reinforced a central message for housing stakeholders. Ending homelessness is achievable, but it requires a shift toward prevention and diversion as the starting point, alongside sustained investment in non-market housing, particularly family-sized units. She also emphasized the need to rethink existing systems by converting congregate shelters into single-room occupancy models for individuals and transitioning many transitional housing programs into permanent non-market housing, reflecting how they already function in practice. For individuals with more complex needs, she stressed that entirely new models are required, designed in partnership with people who have lived experience. Her call to action was direct. Housing, supported by the right services and shaped by lived experience, must be at the center of Ottawa’s response.

The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship remains committed to advancing research, dialogue, and partnerships that support equitable and sustainable housing solutions. As this feature makes clear, the challenge is significant, but so is the opportunity to build a system where housing is recognized as essential to dignity, stability, and well-being.

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At the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC), we believe research should spark dialogue and inspire change. Conversations on Poverty and Social Citizenship highlights the work of faculty, students, and community partners whose research, writing, and advocacy advance understanding of poverty, equity, and social inclusion.

Each feature offers an accessible look into a research project or publication, along with insights into its real-world impact. This first feature highlights research by Dr. Katherine Occhiuto, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University.

In this Q&A, Dr. Katherine Occhiuto reflects on her research, what it reveals about navigating social supports, and why centring lived experience is critical for advancing equity and social citizenship.

Featured Research
The Complexities of Navigating Social Supports: Impacts on Low-Income Lone Mothers

Q&A

How does this research deepen our understanding of poverty, equity, and social citizenship?

This article examines how low-income lone mothers in Ottawa navigate Canada’s complex network of social supports and the impacts this has on their well-being, sense of dignity, and social inclusion. Drawing on in-depth interviews and text-message data with 25 mothers, the study shows that systems intended to meet basic needs are often experienced as stressful, stigmatizing, unreliable, and even risky. Mothers described the extensive physical, bureaucratic, relational, and emotional labour required to access food, housing supports, income assistance, childcare, and other services, work that is largely invisible and undervalued.

The findings highlight how fragmented and poorly coordinated social services can undermine trust in the state, reinforce shame, constrain economic mobility, and erode social connections, thereby entrenching rather than alleviating poverty. At the same time, the study identifies elements of service design that foster equity and social citizenship, including supports that are reliable, flexible, coordinated, co-located, and relational. By centring the lived experiences of mothers who shoulder much of the responsibility for family provisioning, this research advances understanding of how poverty is shaped not only by income inadequacy but by the design and delivery of social supports. It also underscores the need to reimagine social services in ways that promote dignity, inclusion, and collective well-being.

What inspired you to undertake this research, and why is it important?

This research was inspired by my work as a mental health counsellor and community developer in Ottawa, where people consistently described the emotional, relational, and practical toll of navigating complex and fragmented social supports. These experiences were also personal, shaped by witnessing my own mother’s sustained efforts to secure supports for my brother with disabilities, in the social model of disability sense of the term. Together, these encounters highlighted how systems intended to alleviate poverty can instead reproduce stress, stigma, and exclusion. This study is important because it centres lived experience to show how the design and delivery of social supports shape equity, dignity, and people’s ability to fully participate as social citizens.

What is one key finding or insight you think everyone should know?

One key finding is that accessing social supports is itself a form of labour that is stressful, emotionally taxing, and even harmful. When this labour is ignored, social services can deepen poverty rather than reduce it.

How do you hope this research will be used by policymakers, communities, or other researchers?

I hope this research is used to shift attention from not only what social supports provide, but also how they are designed and experienced. For policymakers, the findings highlight the need to recognize access to social supports as labour and to design policies and programs that reduce fragmentation, stigma, and risk, while prioritizing reliability, coordination, and relational care. I hope it informs efforts to improve service integration, invest in preventative supports, and strengthen income-based policies that reduce the need for constant system navigation.

For communities and service providers, my hope is that this research can be used to advocate for models of support that centre dignity, trust, and holistic understandings of need.

For researchers, I hope this work contributes to poverty, social policy, and feminist political economy scholarship by foregrounding lived experience, provisioning labour, and the relational impacts of social service delivery, and by encouraging further research that meaningfully integrates service users’ voices into policy and program design.

Learn more

Access the : https://journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/SSJ/article/view/4816
Interested in being featured in Conversations on Poverty and Social Citizenship? :https://forms.office.com/r/EdnuqynkG0

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Dr. Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa, Director of the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC), participated in the (CAEH25) Conference held in Montréal from October 28 to 30, 2025. The national gathering featured more than 15 plenary sessions addressing key issues such as homelessness prevention, the lived experiences of unhoused people, data-driven policy innovation, advocacy strategies, supportive interventions, renters’ rights, and Indigenous homelessness.

The conference provided a valuable platform for Dr. Mpofu-Mketwa to share insights from her ongoing research on the Herongate Housing Crisis and to connect with practitioners, researchers, and advocates working across the housing and homelessness sectors. The featured photo shows Dr. Mpofu-Mketwa with Michele Biss, Executive Director of the . Michele and her colleagues presented on Canada’s National Housing Strategy Act and the advocacy behind the Tenant Protection Fund, emphasizing the need for stronger tenure security across the country.

This year’s conference themes also serve as an important lead-in to CSPSC’s upcoming Housing Affordability Symposium, From Housing Crisis to Affordable Housing: Organizations Rallying Together, Strengthening Capacities and Addressing the Housing Crisis in Ottawa, scheduled for March 24, 2025. The symposium aims to bring together housing stakeholders, including non-profits, government, and civil society organizations, to engage in multisectoral dialogue on local housing challenges. Building on discussions from CAEH25, the event will explore collaborative strategies for addressing Ottawa’s housing crisis.

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The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) in ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University’s School of Social Work will host a community-centred housing symposium themed From Housing Crisis to Affordable Housing: Organizations rallying together, strengthening capacities, and addressing the housing crisis in Ottawa, on March 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Richcraft Hall, 2nd Floor Room 2220, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa.

The event will bring together community organizations, housing advocates, researchers, policymakers, and members of the public to explore collaborative strategies for addressing Ottawa’s ongoing housing crisis. The symposium is open to the public.

The keynote address will be delivered by Kaite Burkholder Harris, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, a leading advocate for housing-focused solutions across the province and nationally.

Register Here:
Click the registration link on the CSPSC website to reserve your spot.
A QR code and direct link are available on the event page for easy access.

Media Contact:
Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC)
School of Social Work, ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University
cspsc@carleton.ca

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On October 17, 2025, the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) joined organizations, advocates, and community leaders from across Canada for A Future Without Poverty: National Dialogue 2025, a national virtual event spotlighting solutions to poverty and inequality.

Representing CSPSC, Dr. Chene Redwood, Program Coordinator, participated in this important national conversation focused on amplifying voices, sharing innovative strategies, and strengthening connections among communities working toward a Canada free from poverty.

This year’s dialogue featured a national briefing note endorsed by 45 organizations, calling for coordinated action on poverty reduction across the country. Participants examined the systemic drivers of poverty and shared strategies for collective advocacy and policy reform.

The event, hosted by Leila Sarangi (Family Service Toronto; National Director, Campaign 2000) and moderated by Michael Redhead Champagne, featured an inspiring lineup of speakers including Jack Bogaard, Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, Rabia Khedr, Dr. Melanie Doucet, Amanda Therrien, Stacia Stewart, and Scott MacAfee, leaders advancing equity, disability justice, gender inclusion, and youth empowerment across Canada.

The CSPSC is proud to have contributed to this national dialogue and remains committed to advancing research and community partnerships that inform policies promoting social citizenship, equity, and poverty eradication.

Learn more about the event and speakers

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The Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship (CSPSC) is pleased to feature Dr. Tsitsi Mpofu-Mketwa, Chair of the Centre and Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University. Dr. Mpofu-Mketwa’s teaching and research are grounded in social justice, decolonization, and participatory approaches to social work practice. With experience in both academic and community settings, she is committed to addressing systemic inequalities and advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of structurally vulnerable communities.

In this brief profile, Dr. Mpofu-Mketwa shares her vision for the Centre and her hopes for deepening collaboration across research, teaching, and community engagement.

1. What inspired you to take on the role of Chair at the Centre for Studies on Poverty and Social Citizenship?

I was drawn to this role because of the Centre’s strong commitment to addressing poverty and social citizenship through research, advocacy, and collaboration. The CSPSC provides a unique space where academic inquiry meets social action and anti-oppressive social work, and I wanted to contribute to strengthening that bridge. It is an honour to help guide this important work and support the communities we serve.

2. How do you see the CSPSC contributing to research and action on poverty and social inclusion in the coming years?

The Centre is positioned to play a vital role in connecting academic research with community-based solutions. This year, we are hosting an Affordable Housing Symposium in March 2024, which will bring together scholars, community leaders, and policymakers to discuss housing accessibility and equity. We are also proud to provide research funding to faculty members undertaking projects related to poverty and social citizenship, as well as support for ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ Social Work students who have been accepted to present their research at academic conferences. Through these initiatives, the CSPSC continues to foster innovation, amplify diverse voices, and ensure that our collective work leads to meaningful, real-world impact.

3. What message would you like to share with students, researchers, and community partners connected to the CSPSC?

The CSPSC is a collective effort, built on shared values of collaboration, inclusion, and critical engagement. I invite students, researchers, and community organizations to continue to partner with us through research, events, and dialogue as we work together toward a more just and equitable society.

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