The Chartered Institute of Housing Canada, in partnership with research consultant Nick Falvo, is leading a housing and homelessness study tour of London (UK) on May 6-10, 2024—a housing component will occur May 6-8, and a homelessness one from May 8-10. The study tour will focus on innovative approaches to housing or homelessness that can inspire positive change in Canadian communities. Participants will expand their community of practice by meeting people based in both the UK and Canada. They will also have time to reflect and discuss content with one another over meals and while traveling between sites. Most participants will come from across Canada working in municipal, community, and research organisations with a commitment to affordable housing.

Why London, England?

London is a massive city with a population of nearly 9 million. It has a lengthy history of innovative practices in both community housing and homelessness. Across the United Kingdom, 17% of all housing stock is social housing (more than 4 times Canada’s rate) and public spending on housing allowances in the UK far outstrips the OECD average. Meanwhile homelessness innovations in London pertain to technology, rough sleeping, modular housing, and the Qualification in Front-Line Homelessness Practice (a recent training initiative).

Learning Outcomes

1. Participants will develop ideas for new program models.
2. Participants will develop ideas on how to disrupt and tweak existing programming.
3. Participants will expand their contact network, both domestically and abroad.

Schedule

Site tours will be organized and hosted by homelessness researcher, Nick Falvo, and CIH Canada Chartered Member, Stacey Houston. Site visits are scheduled throughout the week of May 6 to 10, 2024. Site tours on May 6, 7, and the morning of May 8 will focus on housing. Site tours on the afternoon of May 8, May 9 and 10 will focus on homelessness.

Participants are advised to arrive in London on or before Saturday May 4 for the housing tour, on or before Monday May 6 for the homelessness tour. Aiming to arrive early can avoid disappointment in the event of flight cancellations or delays. Participants will be invited to share in group meals. Evenings will offer free time for participants to explore the city.  

Participants are encouraged to attend three virtual meetings outside of the May 6-10 period. The group will meet virtually on April 24 and May 1, 2024 to prepare for the study tour. The meeting will cover logistics and introduce the site tours and provide some context to housing and homelessness in London, England. A follow up virtual meeting will be held on May 22, 2024, to debrief and discuss lessons learned as a group.

Accommodation

Coming!

Preferred rate is available for our group for the nights of May 4 to 11, 2024. If participants wish to stay in the city a few nights before and/or after, the preferred rate is available.

Post-event online evaluation

As part of an evaluation, to be completed within one week of the tour’s completion, each participant will undertake a personal reflection in which they discuss how they may change their approach to their work as a result of the study tour. Grading will be pass or fail. Participants who attend the tour and complete their personal reflection will receive a Certificate of Completion from CIH Canada to track their continuing professional development.

Members of CIH and CHRA can apply beginning on November 1, 2023.
Non-members can apply on or after November 15, 2023.
Not a member? Join CIH now or JOIN CHRA now!

The cost of the study tour is $900 CAN plus applicable taxes per participant for either the housing cohort or homelessness cohort. Cost to attend the full tour (housing and homelessness) is $1800 CAN plus applicable taxes. Participation is limited to 30 people per cohort. Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

The fee includes:

• The expert guide.
• The planning of site visits and meeting with local experts.
• Education and training will be delivered through pre tour meetings, resources to prepare learners, discussions during the study tour, follow up discussion after the tour.
• Key learnings from the study tour will be summarized and delivered from the expert guide for the participants.
• Certificate of Completion from the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada.

The fee does not include:

• Hotel or accommodation costs, a block of hotel rooms is reserved at: COMING
• Transportation to the site of the study tour.
• Transportation during the study tour. Transportation during the tour will include walking and public transit and ride shares. Please indicate if you need accommodation for transportation.
• Arrangement will be made for group meals at the cost to the participant.

Cancellation policy: The full cost of the tour is due 90 prior to departure. Full cancellation is available up to 60 days before departure. It is possible to transfer registration to another applicant if a participant is not able to attend.

TIMELINES
Deadline for application: December 15, 2023
Deadline for payment: January 31, 2024
Deadline for cancellation: February 6, 2023

Virtual Pre-Meeting of Participants, Week of April 24 and May 1, 11 am to 12 pm ET [day to be confirmed with participants]

Travel to London, May 5 (or before)

Study Tour, Housing Cohort, May 6 to 8, 2024

Study Tour, Homelessness Cohort, May 8 to 10, 2024

Travel home, May 8, 2024 (or after)

Virtual Follow-up meeting of Participants, Week of May 22, 2024, 11 to 12 pm ET [day to be confirmed with participants]

Details of the tour are subject to change.