We’re so excited to welcome you to the 2024 CHRA National Congress on Housing and Homelessness, taking place April 9-11 in Fredericton, New Brunswick! This year brings back some favourite events and adds some exciting new additions to the Congress schedule. Read on to learn about what’s on offer at the 2024 Congress.

 

Programming: April 9

Pre-Congress courses

Once again, we’re offering our Pre-Congress courses in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada. If you’re looking for a primer or a refresh on housing policy, you’re in luck! This year’s courses are a must-attend for those with an interest in federal or Indigenous housing policy.

The Curious Case of Housing Policy in Canada. This popular course is back for 2024! Learn about the policy landscape of housing in Canada, key government and non-government actors that influence policy outputs and how their decisions impact homeless individuals across the country, the key policies surrounding housing in Canada, barriers to policy implementation in Canada, and the concept of the ‘right to housing’.

Looking at the Housing Sector with an Indigenous Lens. New for 2024! Join us for a full-day session to help you understand the nuances and complexities of Indigenous housing within the housing sector and look at the housing sector through an Indigenous lens. Learn about the relevance of culture, history, and community for Indigenous people across the country and the Housing Continuum, Indigenous housing strategies, challenges, priorities, and more. This course is for sector professionals who serve Indigenous people and are seeking an opportunity for learning.

Indigenous Innovation Forum

Following up on the success of our inaugural event at the 2023 Congress in Winnipeg, we’re bringing the Indigenous Innovation Forum back for 2024! This event combines the “Innovation Forum” and “Indigenous Caucus Day” of previous years to provide a day of learning and discussion about Indigenous Innovations in Housing. This event will offer a variety of sessions, valuable insights, and learning opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants alike.

 

Programming: April 10-11

Congress sessions

This year’s Congress sessions are designed to challenge the way you think about housing. We’ll examine cutting edge initiatives, partnerships, and programs that are bringing the community housing sector into the future. Join our expert speakers as we explore topics including:

• Housing development
• Inclusive housing solutions
• Initiatives that are addressing discrimination, colonialism, ableism, and other inequities
• Enlisting data in the fight against homelessness and housing precarity
• Innovative partnerships
• Supportive housing
• Advocacy, and more!

Mobile tours

Our mobile tours will give you a unique perspective on housing initiatives in Fredericton and beyond. Tour facilities and visit housing providers that are leading change and serving their communities.

 

Special events

Keynote. This year’s Keynote Speaker is Jeff Rubin – Economist; Energy, Trade, and Financial Markets Expert; Bestselling Author.

Social events. Join us for social events leading up to, during, and after Congress wraps up to catch up with your colleagues and make new connections in a relaxed, informal environment.

Plenaries. New for 2024! This year will feature two new plenary sessions to bring attendees back together at the end of each day. We’re excited to debut CMHC’s Houser’s Den Challenge, which takes inspiration from the popular TV show, Dragons' Den and will feature a live presentation of innovative housing projects. Our event will focus on community-driven initiatives that align with CMHC's objectives related to fostering affordable and sustainable housing solutions. Judges and the crowd will select awards for the projects.

President’s Kitchen Party. This year, we’re taking advantage of our location in Fredericton to enjoy a truly unique local event: a kitchen party with an Indigenous twist. Catch up with your colleagues, make new friends, and celebrate our sector with food and drinks in a casual setting.

Indigenous Makers’ Market. Enjoy our first-ever Indigenous Maker’s Market, taking place during the Indigenous Innovation Forum and the Pre-Congress courses on April 9. Bring home some unique arts and crafts and support local Indigenous artists and craftspeople!

 

Tradeshow

CHRA is proud to welcome our Tradeshow exhibitors to the 2024 Congress! Attend the Tradeshow on April 10 and connect with businesses, suppliers, service providers, and sector partners that can assist your organization with property management, finance, operations, and more!

 

Visit the Congress website to learn more and register.