Breakout discussions:

Moving On Up! Housing as a vehicle for resilience
Employment, health, and education are essential for improving the quality of life for residents, but what role does affordable housing play in creating strong communities? How does access to affordable housing contribute to a better quality of life for all city residents? Hear how community and civic leaders have taken an integrated approach to transform individual lives and neighbourhoods in the region

• ANTHONY FERNANDO, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, United Way Toronto
  Anthony Fernando is the Senior Manager of Public Affairs for United Way Toronto. He has been a political staffer, policy advisor in the provincial and municipal public service, candidate for public office, social entrepreneur and a registered lobbyist. His favourite animals are bears and tigers!
  
  
• JOHN TRAINOR, Director, Community Support and Research Unit, CAMH; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
  John Trainor has extensive experience in hospital and community-based mental health services. He is responsible for innovative programs in direct service, advocacy, community development, and research. He has worked in housing for over 30 years and co-led a national study on supportive housing funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (Turning the Key, 2012). He has served as Director and co-director of 7 international development projects in the Baltic region of northern Europe and Sri Lanka.
  
  
• B. BOOMER, Toronto Community Housing peer support group
  B. Boomer has lived in the Esplanade neighbourhood for the last 8 years. His working life started when he was 16 and over the years Barry invested in upgrading his education and skills so that he could progressively improve his work opportunities. Boomer subsequently worked at Eatons for 20 years. Now retired, Boomer is an avid bike rider, and passionate about health, nutrition and fitness. He works hard at keeping mentally and spiritually fit.
  
  Some of the many activities that Boomer engages in are playing the piano, volunteering for the Toaist Society, and offering Peer Support to TCH tenants in Regent Park. Boomer is also a graduate of the TCH tenants’ Speakers’ Bureau.
  
  
• T. ZEKARIA, Toronto Community Housing peer support group
  T. Zekaria is a currently a tenant at TCH. She studied graduated from York University with a degree in Law and Society. She also holds a certificate in Courts and Tribunal administration from Seneca College. Her passions are art and human rights. Zekaria currently provides peer support to tenants in Regent Park.
  
  
• Moderator: TATUM WILSON, Director of Community Engagement & Planning, CAMH

Nothing Going On But Rentals: Exploring the affordable housing spectrum
Even in a cooling real estate market, housing prices remain high. What does this mean for the range of housing options? From social housing to home ownership, what alternative housing options exist for people at each end of the spectrum? Panelists will share innovative programs and ideas about the affordable housing landscape and how to get the public on board.

• MARTIN BLAKE, Vice President, Daniels Corporation
  Martin Blake is Vice President of the GTA-based The Daniels Corporation, is a developer who is actively involved in the creation of housing within the GTA, with a specific interest in environmental and affordable housing in Toronto. As a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Toronto for the past 16 years, Blake also serves as the current Chair on the HFHT Board of Directors.
  
  On behalf of the Daniels Corporation, Martin’s role includes management of the Revitalization of Regent Park, as well as the implementation and facilitation of Daniels’ affordable housing initiatives.
  
  
• JOE DESCHENES SMITH, affordable housing expert
  Joe Deschênes Smith has worked throughout his career in public service.  His experience has been in government, public administration, biomedical research and most recently in affordable housing finance at Home Ownership Alternatives, a non-profit engaged in financing affordable housing projects.  Joe has delivered positive outcomes in finance, project management, ethics oversight and public policy.
  
  Joe’s recent experience in public policy includes Ontario Non-profit Network (ONN) participation in the Ontario government “Open for Business” process, Toronto’s HOAP program and Infrastructure Ontario’s expanded mandate for affordable housing.
  
  
• MARWA ELDARDIRY, Director, Atkinson Housing Co-op Board
  
  
• Moderator: DINA GRASER, Director, Community & Stakeholder Relations, Metrolinx

Buy? Sell? Build? Solutions for maintaining buildings
Keeping the lights on is becoming a greater challenge as competing priorities get in the way. In an era of austerity and restraint how do we preserve the vital assets we have now? Looking ahead, what other sectors need to be at the table to foster the sustainability of an affordable city? Is a new financing model possible? Panelists will discuss case studies from other sectors and lessons that can benefit housing providers today for the future.

• Toronto City Councillor ANA BAILAO, Ward 18, Davenport and Chair, Affordable Housing Committee
  Ana Bailão was elected City Councillor for Ward 18 on October 25, 2010. Ana is proud to be a woman rooted in the rich cultural diversity of the Davenport area. Her commitment to New Canadians and community initiatives is a product of humble beginnings and the strong work ethic and support that she received during her early days in Canada. More.
  
  
• RANDY DAITER, VP Operations, CAPREIT
  
  
• KEITH WARD, past President, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Assocation (ONPHA)
  Keith retired in 2009 from the Region of Peel, where he was Commissioner of Human Services and General Manager of Peel Living. In this capacity, Keith oversaw management of the Region’s 7500-unit housing portfolio; funding for over 14,000 social housing units owned by 46 community agencies; delivery of income support and employment programs; operation of Regional child care centres and fee subsidies to families for child care.
  
  Keith has 35 years of experience in the fields of housing and human services. In retirement, he is providing consulting services in various development and policy initiatives.  He is past- President of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association, with 760 housing company members owning over 160,000 units, as well as being Vice-Chair of the Social Housing Services Corporation Financial Inc, which oversees the investment of $400 million of social housing reserve funds.  His community ties are evident in his volunteer Directorships in five local boards.
  
  Keith has an Honours BA from the University of Western Ontario and an MA in Economics from the University of Toronto. 
  
  
• Moderator: HUGH LAWSON, Director, Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Relations, Toronto Community Housing