Webinar recap: Social Sustainability in Multi-Unit Housing 

On March 1^st, Hey Neighbour Collective (HNC) and CMHC co-hosted a webinar entitled ‘Social Sustainability in Multi-Unit Housing.’ A diverse audience, including local and federal government employees, housing providers and non-profit organizations, heard from HNC partners about various approaches to building community, neighbourly social connections and resilience in multi-unit residential buildings. 

We are pleased to share the video and slides from the webinar below, as well as the related resources and links from our speakers. 

Michelle Hoar, Project Director for Hey Neighbour Collective, moderated the session and gave a high-level overview about HNC.

Stacy Barter, Executive Director of Building Resilient Neighbourhoods (and HNC’s Director of Learning & Evaluation) presented about the Connect & Prepare program, which works with groups of neighbours – in partnership with local government emergency management professionals – to foster mutual assistance and preparedness planning in multi-unit housing and at the block scale. Learn more:

• Connect & Prepare
• Who is in your emergency kit?
• HNC Practice Guide #4: Roles for Local Government in Strengthening Social Connectedness and Resilience Activities in Multi-unit Housing
• HNC Infographic: Actions Local Governments Can Take to Help Foster Social Connection Building Activities (PDF)

Suzanne Klassen, Community Engagement Coordinator for Brightside Community Homes Foundation, detailed their approach to support residents and growing community in independent, non-profit housing. Learn more:

• Information about Brightside Community Homes
• HNC Video: Benefits of community building for housing providers
• HNC Practice Guide #2: Landlord and Housing Operator-led Approaches to Growing Community in Multi-unit Housing
• HNC Infographic: A Spectrum of Approaches for Housing Operators to Help Build Community (PDF)

Finally, Jennifer Conroy, Program Director for West End Seniors’ Network, highlighted how their Close to Home program supports residents to become community connectors in their buildings. Learn more:

• Information about WESN’s Close to Home program
• HNC Video: Benefits of neighbourly connections for residents in multi-unit housing
• HNC Practice Guide #1: Supporting residents to become community connectors in multi-unit housing
• WESN Lobby Intercept How To (PDF)

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