How do you create affordable, independent living in a small community? In this episode, we visit Fort St. James, where the new Neghuni Ghunli-un housing facility is providing 36 suites for older adults (55+). Developed in partnership with Nak'azdli Whut'en, this project is the result of a collaboration that reflects the Nation’s leadership in creating culturally safe, community-driven housing solutions. The Nak'azdli Whut'en Nation’s involvement also ensures this project meets the unique needs o...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, we explore how organizations are redefining their approach to accessibility, broadening their lens and criteria to meet evolving needs. We’ll examine how accessibility has expanded to include not just physical aspects but also support for intellectual and cognitive needs, reflecting a more inclusive approach. Guests: Brad McCannell, VP of Access and Inclusion, Rick Hansen Foundation Doug Tennant, CEO, UNITI Julianne (Jewels) Cressman, Community Advocate About the Rick Hansen Fou...
Jul 08, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode, we explore unique issues and solutions experienced specifically by individuals of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, as they have navigated/continue to navigate the housing system. We will listen to the lived experience of 2-Spirit and Transgender folks, highlighting the uniqueness of their stories and challenges. Finally, a housing site that will be operating with queer mandates, will be highlighted to discuss the factors that our guests have seen first-hand as positive considerations a...
Jun 24, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Brenda Knight of BC Indigenous Housing Society shares fond memories of being raised by her grandmother and the importance of intergenerational housing. That's why the society’s latest housing project at 1766 Frances St. in Vancouver (Chief Leonard George) will feature a dedicated space for grandparents ensuring that the wisdom and care of elders will be passed through the generations. The project will provide 81 affordable rental units for Indigenous individuals and families. We will also highli...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min•Season 5Ep. 2
We’re back with Season 5 of Let’s Talk Housing—and we have a new host! Join Mita Naidu, BC Housing's Director of Content Strategy, as she dives into the stories, people, and partnerships shaping housing across B.C. In this episode, we’re talking about BC Builds—a groundbreaking initiative tackling the housing crisis in British Columbia. The program uses under-used public land and strong partnerships to speed up rental housing development for middle-income earners. We also hear from Amal Abdullah...
May 27, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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: M...
Apr 08, 2025•20 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between pets and their owners living in the Downtown Eastside. For many in this community, pets are more than just animals—they are loyal companions offering unconditional love and support in challenging circumstances. We’ll also dive into the findings from a two-year pilot partnership between BC Housing and the BC SPCA, which sheds light on the unique experiences of pet owners in the DTES and the need for customized, pet-friendly housing polic...
Mar 25, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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 families British Columbia is in the grips of a housing afforda...
Mar 11, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 4
This episode highlights BC Housing’s efforts to build resilient communities through innovative tenant engagement programs. By fostering social ties and preparing for emergencies, BC Housing creates supportive environments. It covers the Community Development Framework and the impact of events like the heat dome and flooding on residents. The collaboration with Building Resilient Neighborhoods emphasizes the importance of relationships and support systems in helping residents thrive. The core mes...
Feb 25, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Let’s Talk Housing S4 E2 From B.C. to Ontario: Innovative Strategies on Homelessness This 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 ...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In this episode, we sit down with B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ravi Kahlon , to discuss his expanded portfolio and the critical challenges facing the housing sector. We explore how the integration of housing and municipal affairs allows for greater collaboration and efficiency, the lessons learned from his previous term, and his priorities moving forward. Guests: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, British Columbia #podcast #housing...
Jan 30, 2025•19 min•Season 4Ep. 1
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 Sḵwxwú7m...
May 14, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 12
The Legion Veterans Village (LVV) is an integrated centre of excellence for veterans and first responders focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health. In this episode, Sara talks with Melissa DeGenova, Director of Development Partnerships at VRS Communities, a nonprofit that owns and operates the new homes, and Brian Mckenna, a veteran and resident of LVV. They discuss the unique needs of veterans and first responders, and how integrated housing provides a sense of belong...
Apr 30, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 11
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 Thro...
Apr 16, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 10
This special live podcast panel event was held in February to honour Black History Month. The episode explores the challenges Black communities face in finding safe and affordable housing in Metro Vancouver. Guest host Mary Gerges, Executive Director of Reconciliation & Equity Strategies at BC Housing, speaks with Modupe Bankole-Longe from Hogan’s Alley Society, Jean-Claude Bakundukize from Swahili Vision International, and Bruk Melles from the City of Vancouver about their work to support h...
Apr 02, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 9
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 o...
Mar 08, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
This is a special joint episode with On the Way Home Podcast from the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Nova Scotia. In this episode, Michael Braithwaite from Blue Door and Sara Goldvine from BC Housing talk about why addressing stigma and misinformation is so crucial for building support for housing solutions. They also touch on the importance of creating community for folks in need of housing and creating a safe space for them to thrive.
Feb 20, 2024•31 min•Season 3Ep. 7
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 th...
Feb 06, 2024•25 min•Season 3Ep. 6
For many young people, moving into their first home is challenging. It’s even more so for youth with disabilities, who face additional barriers. In this episode, Sara talks with Linden, a resident of The Village at Pleasant Valley, Linden’s mother, Andrea, and Cindy Masters, executive director, Okanagan Village Housing Society. They discuss Linden’s journey to his own home and the importance of accessible housing. Guests: Linden, resident of The Village at Pleasant Valley Cindy Masters, executiv...
Jan 23, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 5
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/
Dec 05, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 4
This past summer, Canada had its worst wildfire season on record. In this two-part series, Sara speaks with Kathleen MacKinnon from Turning Points Collaborative Society and BC Housing’s Nanette Drobot about how partners worked together using a trauma-informed approach to evacuate people experiencing homelessness from the raging wildfires in Kelowna. To learn more about Turning Points Collaborative Society, visit: https://turningpoints.ngo/
Nov 28, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Kiwassa Neighbourhood House is helping young people in East Vancouver thrive, despite the many challenges they face. In this episode, Sara speaks with Rohani Seddiq, who runs Kiwassa's summer youth program at a BC Housing property. Rohani shares her story as a refugee and immigrant growing up in BC Housing, along with her mission to empower East Vancouver's youth. To learn more about Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, visit kiwassa.ca
Nov 14, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Minister Ravi Kahlon shares his thoughts on the biggest housing challenges facing British Columbia and the efforts being made to address them. The Minister shares his vision for the future of housing in the Province. Sara also speaks to Minister Kahlon about what it means to be the first Minister dedicated to housing, his approach to leadership, and what he has learned in his first 10 months in the role. Guests: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, British Columbia...
Nov 13, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Sara speaks to filmmaker Joseph Kafka and storyteller Patrick Stewart about an Indigenous-led video series titled ‘Where Are All My Relations’. Each story offers a human perspective on the data associated with an overrepresentation of Indigenous people in homeless counts. Home is a sense of belonging and connection. Patrick and Joseph explore the unique pathways into homelessness for Indigenous people. They discuss how Indigenous-led approaches are offering hope for a brighter future. To watch t...
Oct 31, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This week we’re resharing an interview with Sairoz Sekhon, Director of Women’s Transition Housing & Supports Program at BC Housing, and Allison McLauchlan, Executive Director at Kelowna Women’s Shelter. This episode explores what women’s transition housing is, the types of housing and services provided, and why this type of housing is critical. We also discuss some of the challenges that women at-risk face, particularly Indigenous women. Guests include: Sairoz Sekhon, Director, Women’s Trans...
Mar 14, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 12
We hear a lot about single room occupancy (SRO) hotels in the news - most of it pretty grim. In today's episode, Sara visits the Rainier Hotel, a low-barrier SRO located in Vancouver’s Gastown. It’s home to self-identifying women, many of whom have experienced trauma and violence. In this episode, Sara tours the Rainier with Tanya Fader, Director of Housing for the PHS Community Services Society, and talks with Karen, one of the residents. Guests include: Tanya Fader, Director of Housing, PHS Co...
Mar 02, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Getting affordable, rental housing is hard for large families. Finding homes with enough space for kids, in a family-friendly neighbourhood, can be challenging. On this episode, Sara talks with Stanley Ihemanma, tenant and father of three young boys, about some of the obstacles he encountered. Stanley secured stable family housing for this family through the Greater Victoria Housing Society (GVHS). Virginia Holden, Executive Director, GVHS, talks about the importance of supporting, and growing, ...
Feb 14, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 10
More than 30,000 people live in co-op housing in BC. Together, co-op members are creating homes and communities. Like other housing groups, co-op members face challenges, aging buildings and higher construction costs. Sara talks with Thom Armstrong, CEO, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and Tiffany Duzita, Executive Director, Community Land Trust. They discuss how partnerships, committed co-op members, and access to financing from partners like BC Housing and Vancity help co-ops thrive. Gue...
Jan 31, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Climate change is spurring architects and housing developers around the world to think about how to make homes more comfortable and safe during extreme weather. Those who are most at risk from climate change are marginalized populations, including: people with low incomes, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities. Vienna House is a project being built in Vancouver that is creating affordable housing resilient to climate change. In this episode, Sar...
Jan 17, 2023•19 min•Season 2Ep. 8
About six million Canadians aged 15 and older have one or more disabilities. That number is expected to grow. This episode explores how BC Housing is designing homes for people of all ages and abilities. Sara talks with two accessible housing design advocates, an architect and an accessibility specialist, both working on BC Housing projects. They discuss how accessible housing benefits everyone. Guests include: Darby Lee Young, Founder & Principal Accessibility Strategist, Level Playing Fiel...
Jan 03, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 7
