Collaborative International Series on Innovation in Housing and Homelessness

The Collaborative International Series will bring world-leading researchers to Ottawa and connect international and Canadian evidence with local action on pressing challenges.

The inaugural visit June 9, 10 and 11 will feature Dr. Ligia Teixeira of the Centre for Homelessness Impact (London, U.K.), an expert in test-and-learn approaches to effective homelessness interventions.

Featured researcher

Dr. Ligia Teixeira

Chief executive, Centre for Homelessness Impact

London, United Kingdom

Dr. Teixeira is one of the world's foremost experts on applying test-and-learn methodologies to homelessness, helping governments and communities move from promising ideas to proven, scalable interventions. She is the founding chief executive of the Centre for Homelessness Impact, established in 2018 to strengthen the use of evidence, data and learning across homelessness systems in the U.K. and beyond.

About the series

This series will bring internationally-recognized housing and homelessness researchers to Ottawa for public forums, policy consultations and knowledge-exchange sessions. It will also organize local knowledge-exchange activities with uOttawa and Canadian researchers.

The series will address evidence gaps facing decision-makers and frontline organizations at all levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal.

The series is presented by the uOttawa Pop-Up Lab on Housing and Homelessness and the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services (CRECS) in partnership with the office of Ottawa city councillor Stephanie Plante and the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa.

The Collaborative International Series on Innovation in Housing and Homelessness is supported by the Office of Public Policy Research and Outreach (OPPRO) and the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue, part of the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. The OPPRO helps the University of Ottawa develop effective solutions to complex policy challenges and inform public policy in Canada and around the world.

Why now

Homelessness in Ottawa and in the National Capital Region has grown significantly since the pandemic.

Governments at the municipal, provincial and federal levels are all seeking solutions to this crisis — but rarely with access to the best national and international evidence. This series creates a bridge at the right moment, with the infrastructure, partnerships and research expertise already in place through the Pop-up Lab on Housing and Homelessness and its partners.

Objectives

To inform policymakers at all levels of government and the public about program and policy solutions to housing and homelessness.
To support community agencies and university researchers in developing and piloting promising interventions to prevent and end homelessness.
To improve existing housing, health and social services in Ottawa through knowledge exchange.
To increase access to relevant resources by expanding networking opportunities across sectors.

Three days, four activities

Each researcher’s visit is an intensive three-day series of connected events designed to maximize reach across audiences. For this first edition, we are honoured to present:

June 9th

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City Hall visit

Consultations with City Councillors, key committee members, staff, and the Housing and Homelessness Leadership Table.

June 10th

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Research symposium

An exchange with uOttawa faculty, graduate students, the Pop-up Lab on Housing and Homelessness, the Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services and other research centres and institutes, and the broader research community.

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Public Forum : What Works in Ending Homelessness? Innovative Practices From the U.K.

A keynote address and fireside chat for the housing and homelessness sector, researchers, government, and the public — featuring Dr. Lígia Teixeira, founding CEO, Centre for Homelessness Impact (U.K.).

June 11th

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Federal and provincial engagement

Meetings with federal members of Parliament and other government representatives, including Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC).

About the Pop-Up Lab on Housing and Homelessness

Focused on research, knowledge mobilization and training, the Pop-Up Lab addresses the challenges of the housing crisis.

Hosted by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, the Pop-Up Lab on Housing and Homelessness connects uOttawa’s interdisciplinary research strengths with community needs and policy makers. It brings together academic experts, research centres and institutes, community organizations, policymakers and people with lived experience to co-create solutions to the housing crisis.