Across Canada, more newcomers are facing housing instability, shelter barriers, and long waitlists for affordable homes. These challenges are not evenly distributed. Refugees, LGBTQIA+ newcomers, people with disabilities, and Francophone communities often encounter layered barriers that make access to housing and services even more difficult.

Join OCASI and the Canadian Capital Cities Organization for a timely virtual conversation on housing access, municipal systems, and newcomer inclusion in Canada's capital cities.

This session will explore:

• How municipal policies and shelter systems affect newcomer housing experiences
• Why LGBTQIA+ refugees face disproportionate housing risk
• The impact of funding changes and coordination gaps across levels of government
• What recent housing crises have revealed about systemic barriers and community response
• How accessibility, language, race, gender identity, and immigration status intersect in real-world housing outcomes

Drawing on the expertise of OCASI's Allies in Accessibility and Positive Spaces Initiatives teams, speakers will share practical insights from the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector and reflect on opportunities for more coordinated, equitable responses.

This webinar is relevant for municipal staff, policymakers, service providers, advocates, researchers, and community members interested in housing access, inclusion, and equity in Canadian cities.