Leading up to the Convergence
The Housing Justice Convergence organizing committee emerged from the Housing Working Group following the launch of the report, From Crisis to Consensus. Rooted in filling the diverse needs identified across the grassroots housing sector, this convergence is part of SEIZE’s broader sectoral strategy: building collective capacity, power, and specialized resources across key sectors like housing, media, food systems, technology, & land-based industries. By uniting labour and social movements, we can seize opportunities, respond to collective challenges, & drive transformative economic change.
The Start:
The Housing Justice Convergence organizing committee emerged from the Housing Working Group following the launch of the report, From Crisis to Consensus. Rooted in filling the diverse needs identified across the grassroots housing sector, this convergence is part of SEIZE’s broader sectoral strategy: building collective capacity, power, and specialized resources across key sectors like housing, media, food systems, technology, & land-based industries. By uniting labour and social movements, we can seize opportunities, respond to collective challenges, & drive transformative economic change.
From Crisis to Consensus
SEIZE conducted a national survey of tenant union organizers, advocacy groups, and community organizations. The views expressed in the report diverge sharply from the loudest opinions on the housing crisis. Groups directly representing people at the front-lines of the housing crisis have been largely missing from the opinion columns, policy announcements and blue-ribbon panels that attempt to address the housing crisis.
Some of the key findings about these groups’ policy views include:
- A consensus of the groups favours publicly-funded social housing
- A strong majority support direct action to protect or improve access to housing, including 80% support of rent control policies
- A near-consensus supports financing non-profit housing and cooperatives
- The only policy measure that received strong opposition was government incentives for private rental housing
Read the report:
Interviews
The Convergence
A group of organizers came together to facilitate and coordinate the gathering, those who were on the organizing team are: Stefan Christoff, Aylse Tunnell, Olivia Champagne, Dru oja Jay, Malcolm McClintock, Hannah Ostiguy Hopp & Maeve Brennagh-Mackie.
The Housing Justice Covnergence took place on March 7th- 9th in Tiohtià:ke // Montréal, QC with over 250 participants from across so-called Canada.
Select session audio recordings will be available soon!
In the Media:
Montréal Unites for Housing Justice
CUTV • Video
A video interview series with speakers, organizers, and attendees of the Housing Justice Convergence - shot during the conference itself!
To win housing justice, we have to ‘get profits out of the equation’
The Breach • Article
A video interview series with speakers, organizers, and attendees of the Housing Justice Convergence - shot during the conference itself!
Off the Hour
CKUT • Discussion
A LIVE panel discussion at the Housing Justice Convergence, moderated by Stefan Christoff of Free City Radio.
Funky Revolutions
CKUT • Discussion
Funky Revolutions is based on the One. Since 1994, host Khalid and guests have invited you to groove & celebrate the history of Africana music - the African diaspora and its musical reflections around the world. This is another program dedicated to social justice, housing, and cultural spaces live from the Housing Justice Convergence.
Interviews with panelists, attendees, and more:
What's Next
Collective Statement
Some of the organizers and panelists are working to draft a unified statement reflecting the shared demands, strategies, and vision of the housing justice movement. This statement will draw from the discussions, insights, and participant input gathered throughout the Convergence.
During the convergence, a "Dotmocracy" board was set-up to gather thoughts on what would make a strong collective statement. Attendees could add new post-its, and cast a vote with a sticker for which they supported.
Tenant Organizing Fund
There has been growing interest in creating a collective fund to support tenant organizing efforts, particularly in communities without unions or existing activist infrastructure. This fund could provide direct resources for grassroots campaigns, legal aid, and eviction defense.
Reach out to housing@solidarityeconomy.ca with any questions, comments, or concerns!