ONPHA Opening Doors Podcast

Hosted by ONPHA

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Episodes

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Join us as we explore the world of #affordablehousing, discussing important topics, sharing insights, and highlighting inspiring stories from the sector. Whether you're a housing professional, advocate, or simply interested in learning more about affordable housing, this podcast is for you!

Listen to episodes

18 recent

September 2, 2026Episode 628 min

S3E6 - Putting People First While Scaling Community Housing

How do you scale community housing without losing sight of the people you serve? In this episode, Andrew McKenzie is joined by Michelle Parisien, Director of Tenant Experience Operations at Ottawa Community Housing (OCH), to explore how the organization redesigned its service delivery model to support massive portfolio growth while keeping tenants at the centre. They discuss bringing maintenance and operations closer to communities, navigating the practical challenges of operational transformation, and the key lessons other housing providers can apply to maintain high tenant satisfaction at scale.

July 7, 2026Episode 546 min

S3E5 - Financing the First Step: How pre-development funding can unlock more affordable housing

Building affordable housing starts long before construction begins. In this episode Marlene Coffey sits down with Mwarigha, Vice President of Housing, Asset Sustainability and New Development at WoodGreen Community Services, to explore one of the biggest barriers facing new housing developments: securing the funding needed to get projects off the ground. They discuss a proposal for a Provincial Affordable Housing Revolving Fund and how it could help community housing providers bring more affordable homes to Ontario.

May 14, 2026Episode 446 min

S3E4 - Aligning the Housing System

Today, housing providers are being asked to do more with less, while costs continue to rise faster than the municipal tax base can sustain. In this episode of Opening Doors , host Marlene Coffey is joined by Karen Nesbitt (AMO) and Aaron Stauch (OMSSA) for a candid conversation on what it will take to better align housing across all levels of government. Together, they unpack the growing pressures facing community housing, the limits of relying on property taxes alone, and why stronger coordination between housing, health, and social systems is essential for long-term sustainability.

February 19, 2026Episode 351 min

S3E3 - Rethinking RFPs: Smarter Supplier Selection for Non-profits

Are we wasting precious time and money chasing “best practices” that don’t serve us? In the non-profit world, every dollar and every hour counts. Yet, many organizations still default to formal procurement processes like RFPs, believing they’re always necessary or the gold standard. The truth? They’re not. And misusing them can drain limited resources, delay progress, and even lead to worse outcomes. This episode will challenge the status quo and offer a fresh, strategic lens on supplier selection. We’ll explore: When supplier selection is truly necessary (and when it’s not). Why RFPs can be powerful tools (but only in the right context). How to avoid the trap of over-engineered procurement processes. Smart alternatives that save time and money like VORs and ONPHA Enterprise group purchasing. Whether you’re a procurement lead, executive director, or program manager, this session will help you make confident, efficient, and mission-aligned decisions without getting bogged down in bureaucracy. Let’s stop doing things just because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Let’s start doing what actually works.

January 12, 2026Episode 257 min

S3E2 - Innovating Aging in Place: Integrated Models for Supporting Seniors

As Ontario’s population ages, housing providers play an increasingly critical role in enabling seniors to age at home with dignity, stability, and a strong sense of community. We showcase how the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC), in collaboration with sector leaders such as ONPHA and AdvantAge Ontario, is driving innovative and integrated approaches to meet this growing need. In this episode, we draw on global best practices and real-world experiences to explore solutions for extending independent living. We cover neighbourhood-based care, peer-led supports, and adaptive technologies while examining the implementation of the Integrated Service Model to support 15,000 seniors to thrive. Hosted by: 🎙️ Andrew McKenzie , Director of Operations, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Featuring Special Guests: 🗣️ Adam Fraser , Data Analyst and Researcher, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association 🗣️ Lisa Levin , CEO, AdvantAge Ontario 🗣️ Deanna Veltri , Director, Engagement, Partnership and Communications, Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation

November 27, 2025Episode 11 hr 2 min

S3E1 - Made in Housing: Building Economic and Social Sustainability in Community Housing

Community housing is more than a safety net, it’s a powerful engine for economic efficiency, social mobility, and inclusive city-building. As Ontario faces a growing housing crisis, doubling the community housing stock is not just necessary—it’s economically sound. In this premiere episode, we explore the macroeconomic rationale for large-scale investment in community housing, while also reimagining it as a launchpad for thriving, equitable communities. Hosted by: 🎙️ Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Featuring Special Guests: 🗣️ Sean Baird, President & CEO, Toronto Community Housing Corporation 🗣️ Stéphane Giguère, CEO, Ottawa Community Housing

May 22, 2025Episode 725 min

S2E7 - Managing Procurement Amid US Tariffs

In this episode of the Opening Doors podcast, Andrew McKenzie, ONPHA’s Director of Operations, and David Rourke, Principal at Round Table Procurement Services and director of the ONPHA Enterprise purchasing program, discuss the impact of US tariffs on community housing. David shares strategies like analyzing supply chains, negotiating prices, and prioritizing Canadian suppliers to mitigate reliance on imports. Learn how ONPHA Enterprise offers expert procurement guidance and resources and access to preferred suppliers for ONPHA Members to navigate current economic challenges.

May 15, 2025Episode 61 hr 8 min

S2E6 - Post-election pulse: Impacts, insights, and housing priorities

Our latest ONPHA Opening Doors podcast is a must for community housing leaders and advocates. Join Marlene Coffey (ONPHA), alongside special guests Keith Hambly (Fred Victor), Mwarigha (WoodGreen Community Housing), and Adam Sweedland (CityHousing Hamilton), with Alex Armanious of StrategyCorp moderating. Together, they dive into the federal election’s impact, unpack ONPHA’s Build, Protect, and Support strategy, and share insights to strengthen the sector and address Canada’s housing crisis.

April 10, 2025Episode 545 min

S2E5 - Avoiding the Fangs: A Guide to Unlocking Property Tax Savings

In this episode of ONPHA Opening Doors, we’re tackling Avoiding the Fangs: A Guide to Unlocking Property Tax Savings . Ever seen those dreaded fangs on your financial chart when expenses outpace revenue, and those red lines look like they’re ready to take a bite out of your budget? Fear not! Join us as we learn how to unlock savings. In 2022, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC) secured property tax reductions through the provincial superior court, saving millions across its portfolio and evading those menacing fangs! Property taxes can be a significant burden on non-profit housing budgets, especially after end-of-mortgage (EOM). While recent amendments to the Housing Services Act, 2011 allow service managers to approve tax reductions under new service agreements, these approvals are not guaranteed. Learning from CCOC’s success, we’ll dive into how your organization could secure substantial tax savings, guided by two experts who made it happen: Sarah Button, Executive Director of CCOC, and Maryse Martin, Finance Director of CCOC. They’ll walk us through where to begin your tax reduction journey, a detailed step-by-step process, how long it typically takes, the effects on tenants like the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB) and more, and what to expect when working with service managers—from repayment of savings to negotiating new agreements. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain essential insights, banish those fangs, and take control of your property tax expenses!

February 27, 2025Episode 41 hr 17 min

S2E4 - Where do we go from here? Implementing effective inclusion strategies

Explore the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in community housing. Led by ONPHA’s Reaching Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) committee, this episode moves beyond simply addressing challenges, focusing instead on paving the way for tangible, actionable progress in the sector. Special guests Shaun Simms, Chief, People, Communications and Strategy Officer at Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, Marcel Greaux, President & CEO of Planexa Labs, Catharine Vandelinde, Executive Director of Options Housing, and Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations at Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, share their insights on advancing DEI within the sector. Discover strategies to foster inclusivity in leadership, support diverse tenants, and build partnerships that honor community diversity.