Featured Guest
You’ll find this guest among our growing roll of Urban Champions.
Stephanie Allen
Vice-President of Strategic Business Operations and Performance, BC Housing
Krista Loughton
Filmmaker, For a City That Cares
Karen Montgrand
Anti-Homelessness Advocate
Eddie Golko
Participant, Us and Them
5 Key
Takeaways
A roundup of the most compelling ideas, themes and quotes from this candid conversation
1. Collaboration with lived experts is essential to developing long-term solutions
Stephanie Allen of BC Housing discussed the approaches taken to address homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the opening of emergency spaces “to [space] out people who are particularly vulnerable to the virus” and engaging with Indigenous peoples in decampment processes. Stephanie also emphasized the importance of working in collaboration with housing advocates and people with lived experience to design trauma- and culturally-informed solutions and spaces. She emphasized “the importance of hearing from people what the solutions are that they need” by saying that “we shouldn’t be doing this work without peer involvement anymore […], we know where the shoe pinches, let us design the shoes to walk in.”
2. The right to housing is fundamental
It is clear that the risks and impacts of homelessness in Canada have been deeply exacerbated by the pandemic. Tim Richter highlighted the need to approach the right to housing as “a significant investment” rather than a stop-gap measure. He, too, identified the importance of working alongside those with lived experience in addressing the crisis, and amplifying their voices wherever possible.
3. For people experiencing homelessness, staying connected with family and friends is both valuable and, at times, challenging
Us and Them film participants Eddie Golko and Karen Montgrand discussed the value of relationships with families and friends for those experiencing homelessness. Karen Montgrand stated that she frequently communicates with her friends who are homeless, offering them assistance and safe places to stay when possible. Eddie Golko discussed his priority of reconnecting with his children and grandchildren: “my family means a lot. I’ve got kids, grandkids, and I’m trying to open up a pathway, you know, to see them.”
4. Art can be used to shed light on lived realities, but is only a starting point
Us and Them filmmaker Krista Loughton discussed the film’s role in helping audiences grasp the complex realities of living on the street: “What I was feeling when I started making Us and Them was that there was a real disconnect between the average person, [the] general population and what was actually really happening on the ground in shelters and the reality of street life.” She discussed her findings while making the film, including how childhood trauma and abuse is a major factor that contributes to chronic homelessness.
5. An uncomfortable but necessary conversation
Addressing issues surrounding homelessness requires uncomfortable conversations about systemic change, system failures, and confronting legacies of colonialism and racism across all sectors of society, from the general public to elected officials. Tim Richter explained, “It’s challenging, it’s painful, there’s conflict, but that’s necessary conflict.” The panelists agreed that tackling the crisis of housing in Canada will require creativity, bravery, and a willingness across the board to transform the status quo.
Additional Reading & Resources
The Shift’s guidance note for governments
Watch Us and Them as part of Right to Home week (free and on-demand until August 2)
Full Panel
Transcript
Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software. Manual editing was undertaken in an effort to improve readability and clarity. Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.
Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript
Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject lin
From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://canurb.org/citytalk
12:02:34 From Canadian Urban Institute: Welcome! Folks, please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:02:55 From Angie Desmarais to All panelists: Hello from Port Colborne, Ontario
12:03:05 From Ashley Michell: Bin Honzu (Beautiful Morning), Indigenous Housing Support Worker. From Smithers B.C.
12:03:08 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #right2housing #citytalk @canurb
12:03:16 From Negin Minaei: Good afternoon
12:03:28 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:03:36 From Caroline Poole CUI Staff: Today’s panelists include:
Krista Loughton: https://twitter.com/KristaLoughton
Eddie Golko: https://www.usandthemthefilm.ca
Karen Montgrand: https://www.usandthemthefilm.ca
Tim Richter: https://twitter.com/timrichter
Stephanie Allen: https://twitter.com/BuiltJustice
12:03:44 From Ahmed Mohammed Moola: Good Evening from Johannesburg
12:04:03 From George Tchanturia: Hi from Tbilisi
12:04:15 From Joss Hannaford: Good Morning from Northern BC Fort St. John Thank you
12:04:38 From Pam Hadder: Good morning from Willow Place, Winnipeg – Pam Hadder, leadership team, Community Coordinator
12:04:41 From Andrew Wilson to All panelists: Hot and sunny on Vancouver Island
12:04:46 From André Darmanin: Helllo all from Pioneer Village Station in Vaughan and on my way back to watch the rest of the webinar .
Perfect timing for this webinar. During my run, I just saw a homeless camp set up in Alexandra Park (Bathurst/Dundas). First time seeing this. What are our leaders and public servants doing to overcome nervousness and lead with courage to solve the housing and homelessness crises?
12:04:49 From Nada Peters: Good Morning Everyone Nada from Prince George
12:05:20 From André Darmanin: Good morning Stephanie. Good to see you.
12:05:23 From Yvonne Kelly to All panelists: Hello from York Region, Ontario. @R2HYorkRegion
12:05:54 From Geoff Bodnarek: Geoff from Burnaby, BC
12:06:23 From Ashley Michell: that is amazing. Thank you for sharing that film
12:06:25 From Kathy Suggitt: Good afternoon from Barrie, ON. The 2 films were excellent. Thank you for sharing those with us.
12:06:29 From Lisa Helps: Good morning everyone from Lekwungen lands, City of Victoria. Mayor Helps here. So proud of Krista, Eddy and Karen for joining us. Eddy and Karen, thanks for your courage! <3
12:06:48 From Amarpreet Guliani to All panelists: Good morning all from Regina SK
12:07:06 From Amarpreet Guliani: Good morning all from Regina SK
12:07:21 From Adriana Bernardino: Good afternoon from Toronto! How do I get the link to watch the movies? I signed up after July 24… Can I still get it?
12:07:34 From Callum Maguire: Good morning from Comox BC
12:07:36 From André Darmanin: and to add that nervousness to deal with racial and social equity related to housing.
12:07:53 From Breanne Bateman to All panelists: Krista – I loved your film. Eddie and Karen I wish you both health and healing you both seem like kind souls and good people. Thank you both for your time today.
12:07:53 From Abby S: Kirsta…thank you so much for this film…and thank you to Eddie and Karen…what remarkable stories and film. At a loss how to express my reaction to your film.
12:09:17 From Amarpreet Guliani: Watched both movies yesterday-a real eyeopener for me!
12:09:31 From Lisa Helps to All panelists: Yes Mary I’m here!:)
12:10:20 From Alexandra Flynn to All panelists: Good morning from Whistler, the territories of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. Thank you so much to the panelists for being here.
12:10:37 From Caroline Poole CUI Staff to Adriana Bernardino and all panelists: Hi Adriana! You can register to watch the films here: https://canurb.org/right-to-home . If you experience any difficulties, please email communications@canurb.org
12:11:30 From michael phair: Michael Phair, Edmonton AB.
12:11:55 From Adriana Bernardino: Thanks Caroline! I’ll try.
12:11:57 From André Darmanin: Hey @michael.
12:12:22 From Mark Guslits: The beard is still working for me Tim.
12:12:46 From Tim Richter to Mark Guslits and all panelists: ha!
12:13:15 From Dina Graser: Yes I was noting the beard too 😉 Looks good Tim.
12:13:40 From André Darmanin: Hi @Dina. Nice to see you in here.
12:14:06 From Mark Guslits: Hi Dina
12:14:14 From Nicole Chaland to All panelists: Hello from Victoria! The anti-poor hate in Victoria has reached a state of frenzy and I’m quite concerned about the potential for violence. Could the panellists discuss ways to keep people safe from violence from housed people?
12:14:15 From Abby S: what is the incidence in Victoria?
12:14:25 From Abby S: (of Covid)
12:15:07 From André Darmanin: Great to hear Eddie and Karen’s lived experiences.
12:15:31 From Lisa Helps: Re: COVID in Victoria – we only get island-wide numbers. We have a very low case count right now on the island. Six or seven cases.
12:15:47 From Abby S: @lisa – thank you.
12:16:10 From Lisa Helps: In BC far more people have died from overdoses during the COVID period than from COVID.
12:18:50 From Nicole Chaland to All panelists: One of the myths that the anti-homeless movement retells is that there is housing available and all the people who are homeless refused housing. It would be helpful if BC Housing clarified that there is no housing for campers right now. Could BC housing issue a joint statement with Dr. Bonnie Henry clarifying that there is no housing and call for calm heads?
12:19:53 From Canadian Urban Institute: Welcome new joiners! Just a reminder to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:20:52 From Abby S: So true about overdose deaths. Covid shows that when there is a will things can happen quickly. Why the will is lacking with Overdoses is beyond comprehension. Although some of must stem from a culture of blame.
12:22:36 From Nicole Chaland: One of the myths that the anti-homeless movement retells is that there is housing available and all the people who are homeless refused housing. It would be helpful if BC Housing clarified that there is no housing for campers right now. Could BC housing issue a joint statement with Dr. Bonnie Henry clarifying that there is no housing and call for calm heads?
12:22:51 From Holly DeSimone: Thank you to the participants from BC for sharing their lived experience.
12:23:03 From Bruce Wills to All panelists: Krista, Karen & Eddie,
12:24:03 From Bruce Wills to All panelists: Thanks for bring open and brave enough to share your story in US & Them!
12:24:48 From Nicole Chaland: Hello from Victoria! The anti-poor hate in Victoria has reached a state of frenzy and I’m quite concerned about the potential for violence. Could the panellists discuss ways to keep people safe from violence from housed people?
12:25:45 From Daniella Fergusson: Great comments, Stephanie on the causes of homelessness and what the impacts of COVID have been on making a bad situation even worse.
12:25:46 From Kaitlin Schwan to All panelists: So glad to hear Stephanie speaking about the role of child welfare as a pipeline into homelessness for young folks – homelessness prevention will require system reform.
12:27:19 From Katherine Lordon to All panelists: Hello from Mississauga! Stephanie, you mentioned communication with individuals experiencing homelessness was a huge aspect of your success. I’m wondering if you can speak to ways you facilitated this communication? Especially considering the barriers you mentioned, i.e. no cell phone or data
12:28:29 From Ashley Grzybowski to All panelists: Super interesting to hear the emphasis supporting choice-making and providing options
12:28:33 From Canadian Urban Institute: Reminding attendees to please change your chat settings to “all panelists and attendees” so everyone can see your comments.
12:28:44 From Canadian Urban Institute: Thanks!
12:29:48 From Mark Guslits: Does anyone have any sense that the pandemic has actually brought many social issues to the fore, (including homelessness) and in fact created more awareness of social issues and the undemocratic nature of the pandemic. Not necessarily jumping up and solving the issues, but certainly more awareness – whether it be nursing home abuse, racism, and, yes, even housing issues.
12:30:40 From Julieta Perucca: Hi everyone, Julieta Perucca from The Shift here. Thank you so much to Eddie and Karen for sharing your experiences. I just wanted to acknowledge your efforts and energy in participating in this conversation in order to teach and inform us about the current reality you face. Thank you!
As Tim said, homelessness is a policy choice, but it is also a prima facie violation of the right to housing, and it requires urgent attention, particularly during a pandemic. If you’re interested, I wanted to share some resources on homelessness as a human right violation. Here is Leilani Farha’s report she wrote as UN Special Rapporteur, on homelessness as a human rights violation: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G15/294/52/PDF/G1529452.pdf?OpenElement
Here is The Shift’s Guidance Note for governments on how to address the issue of homelessness and encampments in a human rights compliant way during COVID-19: https://www.make-the-shift.org/protection-for-those-living-in-homelessness/
12:31:07 From Abby S: Echoing @Julieta Perucca
12:31:20 From Sian Lewis to All panelists: Supportive housing needs to grow as a model that recognizes the complexity of individual’s life experience (i.e. support for addictions and mental health and creating a direct line to services for those in supportive housing)
12:32:07 From Pam Hadder: Stephanie alluded to other ways of communicating information to the homeless as they would not have access to mainstream/technology etc. – there may also be illiteracy, cognitive impairments, etc. – would be valuable to hear more on how BC was able to reach out to homeless population
12:32:08 From Leticia Ferreira: C-19 has also had a huge impact on LGBTQI2S youth with increases in bullying, violence and lack of access within the housing system, especially for gender non-conforming and trans folks. Isolation is already part of the trauma LGBTQI2S youth experience which has also being increased by the pandemic. Not to mention, that family rejection is a key aspect of homelessness which is often forgotten.
12:33:19 From Abby S: That was very clear in the film,…the role of trauma in childhood.
12:34:26 From Geoff Bodnarek: No supportive or semi supportive housing in North/West Vancouver besides a shelters transitional housing program.
12:36:05 From Murray Lumley to All panelists: I watched Us and Them yesterday. It was very moving and educational. Thanks to Krista, Eddie, Karen, and all who made the film.
12:37:12 From Donna Mayer: The trauma-informed lens should be employed in every single social response. Trauma is the root cause of addiction, poverty, crime, homelessness, etc.
12:37:14 From Lou McBride: What is the name of the film and where can it be accessed?
12:38:49 From Irena Kohn: https://canurb.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182&id=f1c2fd489b
12:39:30 From Mary W Rowe: Hi Adriana! You can register to watch the films here: https://canurb.org/right-to-home . If you experience any difficulties, please email communications@canurb.org
12:39:48 From Mary W Rowe to Lou McBride and all panelists: Hi Adriana! You can register to watch the films here: https://canurb.org/right-to-home . If you experience any difficulties, please email communications@canurb.org
12:40:28 From Lou McBride: Thank you
12:40:44 From David Crenna: Agree with Tim that we need to go for it and move fast!
12:41:04 From Geoff Bodnarek: Every municipality need to have different levels of housing. Without supportive housing in municipalities it forces people who are struggiling to live in unsafe conditions and areas.
12:43:04 From Geoff Bodnarek: Finding purpose.
12:43:43 From Christina Sisson: Should we be looking outside the box, literally, and incorporate more of an outdoor living experience which better suits those who need to feel a connection with the outdoors – atrium style living – more creative connections with indoor protection but connection with the outdoors? At this time in history, it would be great to capitalize on this opportunity to re-think – re-create – to make this world better for EVERYONE!
12:44:29 From Abby S: @Christina 👍🏻👍🏻
12:45:13 From David Crenna: Definitely need to think outside the notion that we are somehow going to build our way out of this, which will take years to happen…
12:45:31 From Elaine McMurray to All panelists: love idea of mixed us, outdoors with supports. need peer navigators to make this happen
12:45:40 From Abby S: sharing and ceding your power.
12:45:40 From Geoff Bodnarek: But the NIMBA’s stop some of the municipalities to use that power.
12:47:00 From David Crenna: That is the crux of the matter: the key is to empower the local leaders to act on this!
12:47:19 From Pam Hadder: Willow Place is not waiting for levels of government re: safe and affordable social housing – currently have accessed grant funds for housing coordinator, local property management is donating housing units – we want to demonstrate that other ways are possible, and hopefully province, city, etc. will come on board, other property managers etc. It is small scale, but we want to start, versus being the bystanders at the dance that Tim so aptly described.
12:47:27 From Abby S: But there is very real resistance…
12:48:19 From Pam Hadder: Multiple approaches needed for complex issue, removing barriers to access supports
12:48:19 From Kari Lesick: Thank you Stephanie!!
12:48:27 From Krystie Babalos to All panelists: 👏🏼
12:48:42 From Ashley Michell: amazing stephanie. powerful…
12:49:26 From Ashley Michell: ✊🏾
12:49:32 From Lisa Helps: Brilliant Stephanie!
12:49:37 From Abby S: But I feel like we are speaking to the converted here. How do we move beyond…?
12:49:56 From Carolyn Whitzman: Stephanie is right about the broader pathways to homelessness. and I know CAEH (Tim’s group) is looking at stemming the tide of new homelessness as well as finding homes for those who are homeless
12:50:20 From Marion Goertz: Any info on local housing projects in Calgary, Alberta?
12:50:29 From Ashley Michell: I would love to use the medicine wheel project that Krista used in the film for the clients that I work with.
12:50:41 From Beverly Allard to All panelists: And… we have to be open to various models of Indigenous governance and allow for traditional ways to influence and shape decision making
12:50:42 From David Crenna: Yes the issue is scaling up what works quickly!
12:51:04 From Nicole Chaland: Everyone, please join and amplify the www.recoveryforall.ca campaign . After you join the campaign, you can publicly endorse it and write to parliament. In BC, having the feds show up would be a game changer.
12:51:22 From Lou McBride: Someone sent me the link to the movie and I accidently lost it, could you resend it? thanks
12:51:33 From Angie Desmarais: Thank you Stephanie!
12:51:45 From Sheila Perry to All panelists: One of the best successes in Ottawa is the multifaith housing led by Suzanne Li, bringing faith leaders together, identify property, funds, partners etc.
12:51:57 From Yolande Dudoward to All panelists: https://canurb.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182&id=f1c2fd489b
12:51:59 From Abby S: Hear hear Stephanie1
12:52:01 From Lisa Helps: @Lou here’s where you can find the movies https://canurb.org/right-to-home
12:52:21 From elvira Omarbagaeva to All panelists: Thank you Stephanie. so well said
12:52:32 From Caroline Poole CUI Staff to Lou McBride and all panelists: Hi Lou! You can register to watch the films here: https://canurb.org/right-to-home . If you experience any difficulties, please email communications@canurb.org
12:52:42 From Haseena Manek to All panelists: If you are looking to learn more about The Shift, check out our website: https://www.maketheshift.org/
12:53:01 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:53:02 From Tonya Surman: Do people know of projects addressing homelessness and hygiene? access to bathrooms and laundry? looking for solutions
12:53:10 From Lou McBride: Thanks to all
12:53:15 From Julieta Perucca: To learn more about The Shift or to contact us visit www.maketheshift.org
12:53:30 From Abby S: @icole just signed up
12:53:34 From Abby S: @Nicole
12:53:43 From Canadian Urban Institute: Keep the conversation going #right2housing #citytalk @canurb
12:55:18 From Mark Guslits: This conversation has been excellent and much appreciated. I teach a course in “Ethical Architecture” at U of T focused on housing for low income individuals and families. I will certainly direct them over the summer to re-view these conversationa and the films referred to. Rarely do we get these conversations in such quantity and quality. Thanks CUI and thanks all who participated today.
12:56:09 From Canadian Urban Institute: What did you think of today’s conversation? Help us improve our programming with a short post-webinar survey – https://bit.ly/3hNch7p
12:56:21 From Sheila Perry to All panelists: great suggestions by all, Tim’s message is to make the best of the opportunity before us
12:56:35 From Bhavik Thakkar to All panelists: fantastic initiative and extremely relevant and pertinent discourse! thank you.
12:57:03 From Bhavik Thakkar: fantastic initiative and extremely relevant and pertinent discourse! thank you.
12:57:15 From Tim Richter: If people are interested in learning more about Recovery for All please visit https://www.recoveryforall.ca
12:57:37 From Geoff Bodnarek: Tiny housing inititives can create communities is thinking outside the box.
12:57:41 From Pam Hadder: Thank you Eddie and Karen for sharing your experience and thoughts. Thanks to the panel and participants – excellent discussion and info.
12:57:50 From André Darmanin: This was a great webinar. I missed some of the video so I didn’t get to see many of the recent comments.
12:58:08 From Laurel Davies Snyder: Thank you for this conversation and especially for including Eddie and Karen.
12:58:14 From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://www.canurb.org/citytalk
12:58:30 From Angie Desmarais: Thank you all!
12:58:37 From André Darmanin: Great comments from Tim and Stephanie regarding power, privilege and collaboration.
12:58:39 From Geoff Bodnarek: Some people don’t have the family support so it’s also about creating that support network in the community.
12:59:25 From Olusola Olufemi to All panelists: From my experience also working with homeless people in South Africa, reconnecting back with family is one of their priorities as well.
12:59:30 From Kari Lesick: Thank you, I needed to hear what Eddie and Karen had to share! They are so brave to show up to teach us
12:59:34 From Cherryl L to All panelists: Thank you all for the candid and insightful conversation. Thank you Eddie and Karen for sharing your stories. Really needed right now.
12:59:35 From Geoff Bodnarek: and if you are living in a motorhome, those people don’t qualify for the $375 for housing support.
12:59:36 From Erika Morton: Many thanks to Karen and Eddie for sharing your expertise with us!
12:59:45 From Joss Hannaford: Thank you so much!!!!
12:59:55 From Abby S: Thank you to everyone.
13:00:18 From Abby S: Thank you for bringing Eddie and Karen to this talk.
13:00:24 From Negin Minaei: Thank you everyone
13:00:25 From Geoff Bodnarek: Thank you!!
13:00:29 From Carolyn Whitzman: And well moderated, Mary!
13:00:36 From Lou McBride: Thanks to all, great webinar
13:00:38 From MARYAM MOMENI: Thank you all. wonderful discussion as usual.
13:00:39 From Kaitlin Schwan to All panelists: Thank you all so much to all of you. So honoured to hear from Eddie and Karen, so grateful to you.
13:00:41 From Julie Edney: Thank you to the US & Them team and panel organizers. As a professional working in the non-profit affordable housing development sector in Victoria (M’akola Development Services), I found the film and this conversation so valuable and energizing. Will definitely be sharing with my community. Thank you and be well!
13:00:43 From Ashley Michell: Mesi Chyo (thank you)
13:00:50 From David Crenna: Good job moderating, Mary!
13:00:51 From Erika Morton: Thank you to all the speakers. Appreciated hearing from Stephanie about the root causes of homelessness and also the need to do more upstream work!
13:00:56 From Bill Johnston to All panelists: Thanks to all of you. Powerful comments. Let’s unite, let’s led those with experience lead and let’s end homelessness asap.
13:01:07 From George Tchanturia: Thank you very much. All of you.
13:01:11 From Faryal Diwan: Thank you! This was a fantastic discussion
13:01:15 From Celia Chandler: great session everyone. Celia Chandler Iler Campbell Toronto
13:01:16 From Scott Carnall: we have to be careful of decolonization talk because unless European settlers leave there is no decolonization. Dr. Lindstrom speaks to this in-depth.
13:01:17 From Geoff Bodnarek: Is it the same link on zoom?
13:01:31 From Stephanie Allen (she/her) to All panelists: Great to see everyone
13:01:35 From Stephanie Allen (she/her) to All panelists: And the comments!
13:01:51 From Stephanie Allen (she/her): Great to see everyone’s comments thank you!
13:01:54 From Scott Carnall: thank you for the talk
13:01:57 From Tonya Surman: Great stuff
