OTTAWA, Ontario—As homelessness continues to grow across the country, organizations are gathering this week to share solutions. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) is hosting its 2024 Conference on Ending Homelessness from October 29 through 31 in Ottawa. 

“Every day, hundreds, if not thousands, of people are lifted out of homelessness across Canada. But homelessness grows because unaffordable housing markets throw thousands more onto the streets,” says Tim Richter, President & CEO of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. “This week in Ottawa we’ll be tackling both housing affordability and providing a venue for front line workers, organizations and advocates to share what’s working to prevent and end homelessness.” 

The National Conference on Ending Homelessness is where communities are able to build on the work they are already doing to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness. More than 85 percent of participants who attended the conference in previous years report that what they learn at the conference changes how they work and helps them better house more people faster. 

The conference, now in its eleventh year, is welcoming more than 2,000 people, including more than 300 people with lived experience in homelessness, who are working to end homelessness in their communities—community leaders, frontline workers, policy makers, funders, researchers, leaders, advocates, politicians, volunteers—making it the largest conference to date. 

“The movement to end homelessness is growing—the high attendance at this conference is just one indicator. From coast to coast to coast, Canadians believe that everyone deserves a place to call home. No matter what we look like, where we come from, or how much money we have. We believe everyone deserves a roof over their heads and a place to feel safe. As we head into winter, it feels even more important,” says Richter. 

The conference’s location in the nation’s capital means that this year has a larger purpose, especially with a federal election approaching.  

“Pre-election polling is indicating that voters have identified the housing and homelessness crises as too ballot box issues. Voters are demanding that political parties address these issues – they expect comprehensive reform for these complex challenges. We are glad that representatives from federal political parties are joining us throughout the conference to hear from communities directly about what’s working for them,” Richter said. 

Federal politicians of all parties are expected to be in attendance throughout the conference, including speaking events: 

• Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure & Communities, will address attendees on Tuesday, October 29 at 8:30 a.m.; 

• A multi-party panel, which will include representatives from the Liberal Party of Canada, Canada’s NDP, and the Bloc Québécois, to be held Tuesday, October 29 at 10 a.m.; and, 

• A fireside chat between Tim Richter and Scott Aitchinson, Conservative Shadow Minister for Housing, Wednesday, October 30, at 3:30 p.m. 

For more information about the conference please visit the conference website at: https://conference.caeh.ca/ 

Media who are interested in attending can contact media@caeh.ca to find out more.