CHRA/CIH Canada International Study Tour

Course Description

Save the Date for our International Housing and Homelessness Study Tour to Copenhagen, Denmark September 28-October 2, 2026, led by the Chartered Institute of Housing Canada (CIH Canada) and CHRA.

The tour will explore innovative approaches in these areas that can inspire positive change in Canadian communities.

Participants will have the opportunity to expand their community of practice by connecting with professionals from both Denmark and Canada.

The itinerary also includes time for reflection and discussion during meals and while traveling between sites. Participants are expected to come from various sectors across Canada, including municipal, community, and research organizations with a commitment to affordable housing.

Why Copenhagen, Denmark?

Denmark’s history of equitable housing policy goes back over 100 years. In 1919, by broad political consensus, Denmark established a national public social housing system that is open to all.

By Danish law, each municipality is eligible to reserve up to 25% of its social housing stock for communities such as refugees, unemployed people and people with disabilities.

Funding for social housing is almost entirely from government-backed, low-interest-rate loans, and therefore the rents for social housing can be set based on actual operating costs and do not fluctuate based on market conditions.

With these programs in place, we can learn much about the disposition of public assets, the use of long-term, low-cost capital to subsidize below market rate rents, and how to scale affordable and social housing corporations, building into financial capacity and market acumen.

Learning Outcomes

- Participants will develop ideas for new program models.

- Participants will develop strategies to improve and innovate existing programming.

- Participants will expand their professional network, both domestically and internationally.

Schedule

Site tours will be organized and hosted by CHRA in partnership with BL Denmark.

The tour will take an integrated, holistic approach to housing and homelessness, with daily site visits and interactive discussions. A detailed schedule will be provided closer to the event.

Participants are advised to arrive in Copenhagen for an included city tour and group dinner on Sunday, September 27th. The study tour itinerary will offer free time for participants to explore the city in the evenings.

Participants are encouraged to attend two virtual meetings prior to the tour. These meetings will cover logistics, introduce the site tours, and provide context on housing and homelessness in Copenhagen.

Accommodation

A preferred rate has been secured at the Comfort Hotel Vesterbro Copenhagen, Vesterbrogade 23-29, Copenhagen, Denmark.

A preferred rate of DKK 1,200 for single occupancy and DKK 1,400 for double occupancy, including breakfast is available for tour participants. The rates are available from Sept. 25 – Oct. 4, 2026.

A booking link will be provided 90 days prior to arrival and participants will pay for their rooms upon arrival.

Deadlines and cancellation policy

Deadline for application and $100 non-refundable deposit: January 31, 2026

Deadline for full payment: April 15, 2026

Deadline for cancellation: Before April 30 to receive a refund minus the non-refundable deposit. After April 30 no refund is available, however your ticket can be transferred to another person at your organization.

There are 15 spots available for CHRA members and 15 spots for CIH members. Due to high demand, we may limit the number of applicants from a single organization to ensure equal opportunity.

Additional applicants from the same organization will be placed on a waitlist and notified in late February or early March.

For more information about membership, please contact info@chra-achru.ca. We encourage you to sign up for the waitlist, as chances are good you may still get a spot.

Not a member? Join CIH now or JOIN CHRA now!

Contact Information

For more details, please contact Mel at mel@chra-achru.ca.