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.

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!

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.

The provincial election is a crucial moment for affordable housing advocacy, but the work doesn’t stop when the votes are counted. 

In this episode of ONPHA's Opening Doors Podcast, we’re joined by Liam Thompson, Consultant at StrategyCorp Inc., ONPHA’s long-time advocacy partner, to explore how ONPHA gathers intelligence, engages decision-makers, and drives change. Get inspired with practical ways to advocate at the local level, influence housing policy, and build momentum that lasts beyond the election. Whether you’re a large or small housing provider, advocate, or community leader, this conversation will equip you to make an impact.

Unlock the full potential of technology in community housing and confront the challenges head-on.

In this episode of ONPHA's Opening Doors podcast, special guests Peter Altobelli, Vice President/General Manager of Sales at Yardi Systems Inc., Chris Dulny, Chief Digital, Data, and Innovation Officer at PwC Canada, and Deanna Veltri, Senior Manager at Deloitte Canada, share their insights on leveraging tech trends to transform community housing. Discover how technology can be a game-changer for community housing—driving efficiency, improving services, and enhancing tenant experiences.

Ontario’s new purchasing rules bring big challenges for non-profits, including more reporting, stricter compliance, and supply chain scrutiny. But the right supplier partnerships can make it easier.
 
In this episode of ONPHA's Opening Doors podcast, special guest David Rourke, Principal of Round Table Procurement Services, shares insights on how strategic supplier partnerships can simplify compliance, streamline operations, and reduce stress. Discover how to navigate these changes and develop a smarter purchasing strategy to keep your organization running smoothly.

In this episode of ONPHA's Opening Doors podcast, we delve into the importance of strategic growth through acquisitions in the community housing sector.

Special guests Stéphane Giguère, CEO of Ottawa Community Housing, and Katie Maslechko, CEO of Rental Protection Fund, share their experiences and insights on leveraging partnerships, equity, and capacity building to address the housing crisis.

In this episode of ONPHA's Opening Doors podcast, we discuss the launch of the LEMR Housing Monitor, a centralized data mapping tool that provides information on the low-end of the market housing stock in urban regions across Canada.

Special guests Daniel Liadsky, Managing Director at Purpose Analytics, and Megan Earle, Data Scientist at Canadian Centre for Housing Rights, join Marlene Coffey, CEO of ONPHA, to talk about why this tool matters, how we can use it to make a difference, and what story the data is telling us right now.

For more information on the LEMR Housing Monitor visit lemr.ca

In this episode of ONPHA’s Opening Doors podcast, we explore the keys to finding your unique leadership style, leading with authenticity, and navigating change in the non-profit space with confidence. Special guest Jodi Zigelstein-Yip, Chief HR Innovator and Founder of Enliven HR Consulting Inc., joins Marlene Coffey, CEO, ONPHA, to share insights that will inspire leaders at every stage, from seasoned executives to those new to the role or aspiring to climb the leadership ladder.