Held in the Social Sciences Building, the event reflected the faculty’s commitment to fostering informed dialogue on complex social issues and creating space for meaningful exchanges between researchers, policymakers, community organizations and residents. Housing and homelessness remain among the most urgent concerns facing cities across Canada. That makes the discussion particularly timely as Ottawa prepares to elect its next mayor.
For the Faculty of Social Sciences, hosting the debate was a natural extension of its mission to connect research, public policy and community engagement.
“Homelessness is a complex human and societal challenge, and our researchers are working across disciplines to better understand its many dimensions and contribute to tangible solutions,” says Nathan Young, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
“Having Ottawa’s mayoral candidates come to the Faculty of Social Sciences to share and debate their perspectives on such an important issue reinforces the role our faculty can play as a place where research, public policy and community dialogue come together.”
The event also highlighted uOttawa’s history of leadingon this issue through CRECS and its partnerships with organizations working directly in the community.
“We’re proud of our leadership at uOttawa in research on housing and homelessness, and our long-standing partnership with the Alliance to End Homelessness,” says John Sylvestre, director of CRECS.
“Over the years, we’ve contributed research evidence and conducted evaluations of interventions that have informed debates on the best ways of ending homelessness, particularly for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. Through this work, we have trained new generations of researchers who conduct research that helps us to better understand the causes and solutions to this stubborn social problem. Holding this debate on campus furthers our efforts to strengthen the city of Ottawa, and to provide engaged learning experiences for the student community.”
The debate underscored the importance of combining evidence, lived experience and public leadership to address challenges that affect thousands of residents. By hosting the conversation on campus, the faculty created an opportunity for students, researchers and community members to engage directly with the issues and the leaders seeking to shape the city’s future.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Young emphasizes the broader role universities can play in advancing public understanding and civic engagement.
“Homelessness asks some of the most fundamental questions about the kind of society we want to build and how we care for one another,” he says. “At the Faculty of Social Sciences, our researchers work to understand these complex realities and help identify tangible paths forward. It’s therefore particularly meaningful for us to provide a space where those seeking to lead our city can engage seriously with this issue and with our community.”
As Ottawa continues to grapple with housing pressures and rising homelessness, the debate showed the value of informed public discussion grounded in research and community experience. By bringing together candidates, experts and residents, the Faculty of Social Sciences reaffirmed its role in sparking dialogue and partnering on the search for solutions that can help build a more inclusive, resilient city.