Let's Talk Housing: A Podcast by BC Housing

In this special episode of Let’s Talk Housing, Sara Goldvine passes the torch to the podcast’s new host, Mita Naidu. The two reflect on Sara’s time as host, discussing key moments, housing policies, and progress made in BC’s housing sector. Together, they explore what’s next for Sara, the future of the podcast, and what the housing sector needs most to thrive. It’s a heartfelt conversation about challenges, opportunities, and the path forward for creating inclusive communities.Guest:Co-Host: Mita Naidu, Director of Content Strategy, BC HousingBritish Columbia is in the grips of a housing affordability crisis decades in the making. We need to find innovative solutions.The Province has an ambitious plan to address the crisis through the largest investment in housing affordability in BC’s history.Tasked with building tens of thousands of homes in hundreds of communities is BC Housing, the province’s agency responsible for developing, managing, and administering a wide range of subsidized housing and homelessness services across the province.BC Housing doesn’t do this alone. To address the challenge, it’s working with hundreds of partners. In Let’s Talk Housing Season Three, you’ll get to hear from those delivering exciting affordable housing solutions. Hosted by Sara Goldvine, episodes address deep-rooted societal issues:the right to affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate housing mental health challenges homelessness meeting the needs of women and children leaving violence fostering community acceptance role of the private sector Impacts of climate change on housing.About BC HousingBC Housing develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options across the province. We also license residential builders, administer owner builder authorizations and carry out research and education that benefits the residential construction industry, consumers and the affordable housing sector.We work in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options. Who we serveIndividuals who are homelessIndividuals with disabilitiesIndigenous individuals and familiesWomen and children at risk of violenceLow-income seniors and familiesBuyers of new homesLearn more about BC Housing here: https://www.bchousing.org/ For more news on our latest projects and developments, visit: https://news.bchousing.org/#podcast #home

In this episode, we explore a unique housing development in Terrace that brings different generations together under one roof. This project offers not just homes, but a space where seniors and youth can connect, share stories, and build relationships.Designed in collaboration with youth and families, on the ground floor will be Foundry Terrace, offering integrated health and wellness services for young people ages 12 to 24 and their familiesBritish Columbia is in the grips of a housing affordability crisis decades in the making. We need to find innovative solutions. The Province has an ambitious plan to address the crisis through the largest investment in housing affordability in BC’s history. Tasked with building tens of thousands of homes in hundreds of communities is BC Housing, the province’s agency responsible for developing, managing, and administering a wide range of subsidized housing and homelessness services across the province. BC Housing doesn’t do this alone. To address the challenge, it’s working with hundreds of partners. In Let’s Talk Housing Season Three, you’ll get to hear from those delivering exciting affordable housing solutions. Hosted by Sara Goldvine, episodes address deep-rooted societal issues: • the right to affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate housing • mental health challenges • homelessness • meeting the needs of women and children leaving violence • fostering community acceptance • role of the private sector • Impacts of climate change on housing.About BC HousingBC Housing develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options across the province. We also license residential builders, administer owner builder authorizations and carry out research and education that benefits the residential construction industry, consumers and the affordable housing sector.We work in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options. Who we serve • Individuals who are homeless • Individuals with disabilities • Indigenous individuals and families • Women and children at risk of violence • Low-income seniors and families • Buyers of new homesLearn more about BC Housing here: https://www.bchousing.org/ For more news on our latest projects and developments, visit: https://news.bchousing.org/

Let’s Talk Housing S4 E2From B.C. to Ontario: Innovative Strategies on HomelessnessThis episode explores the common challenges and innovative solutions in social housing, drawing parallels between Ottawa Community Housing and BC Housing. Ottawa Community Housing’s CEO recently introduced the Complex Care Housing Strategy, which aims to support tenants emerging from chronic homelessness, as well as those living with mental health, substance use, behavioral challenges, and health issues related to aging. We’ll discuss this strategy and its reception, share tenant stories, and highlight what Ottawa and BC are doing to tackle homelessness.--British Columbia is in the grips of a housing affordability crisis decades in the making. We need to find innovative solutions. The Province has an ambitious plan to address the crisis through the largest investment in housing affordability in BC’s history. Tasked with building tens of thousands of homes in hundreds of communities is BC Housing, the province’s agency responsible for developing, managing, and administering a wide range of subsidized housing and homelessness services across the province. BC Housing doesn’t do this alone. To address the challenge, it’s working with hundreds of partners. In Let’s Talk Housing Season Three, you’ll get to hear from those delivering exciting affordable housing solutions. Hosted by Sara Goldvine, episodes address deep-rooted societal issues: the right to affordable, accessible and culturally appropriate housing mental health challenges homelessness meeting the needs of women and children leaving violence fostering community acceptance role of the private sector Impacts of climate change on housing.About BC HousingBC Housing develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options across the province. We also license residential builders, administer owner builder authorizations and carry out research and education that benefits the residential construction industry, consumers and the affordable housing sector.We work in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options. Who we serveIndividuals who are homelessIndividuals with disabilitiesIndigenous individuals and familiesWomen and children at risk of violenceLow-income seniors and familiesBuyers of new homesLearn more about BC Housing here: https://www.bchousing.org/ For more news on our latest projects and developments, visit: https://news.bchousing.org/ #podcast #housing

Donalene Rapada of Hiyam Society and Dave Ward of Lu’ma Development Management discuss the partnership between the two Indigenous organizations, the projects they have been working on and how they’re ensuring that Indigenous rights are prioritized. This episode presents an opportunity to hear about the challenges and successes both organizations have had in providing housing options for Indigenous communities in the non-market real estate sector. Guests: Donalene Rapada, CEO, Hiy'am' ta Sḵwxwú7mesh Housing Society Dave Ward, CEO, Lu’ma Development Management Syexwaliya, Ann Whonnock, Squamish Nation Elde

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/

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

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

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/