The housing crisis is getting put into the spotlight with a new, four-episode podcast series by the Social Planning Council of York Region and Aurora Public Library.
The two organizations have now launched the series featuring voices from throughout the region discussing different facets of the housing crisis. Topics range from infrastructure to housing for LGBTQ+ youth to housing as a human right.
Library manager of community collaboration Reccia Mandlecorn said she hopes the stories can inspire others and cause them to be carried forward.
“I’m hoping what will happen is that people will listen to the stories,” she said. “They will be touched and they will bring the stories, instead of only statistics, to the conversations they are having with their neighbours, they’re having with people running for office.”
The series will be released on podcast platforms weekly throughout August, with the first episode featuring Newmarket Mayor John Taylor and Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite.
Other episodes include:
- Infrastructure for Community Care, featuring Kathy Mochnacki (Home on the Hill Supportive Housing) and Surjit Sachdev (Anand Vihar – The Centre for Dignified Living)
- Housing for 2SLGBTQ + Youth, featuring Jesse Vacarciuc, youth worker, 360°kids, Dr. Alex Abramovich, independent scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research (CAMH)
- Housing as a Human Right, featuring Bahar Shadpour, director of policy and communications, The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
The four episodes are the third season of Social Planning Council of York Region’s Hidden Stories of York Region podcast series, highlighting the lived experiences of people within the region.
Mandlecorn said the library is a new partner, and the podcast series fit well within their mandate.
“We thought it would really highlight some of the stories of people in our community who are not okay,” she said. “Especially with an election coming up, there will be a lot of conversation about the housing crisis.”
The series will be available on iTunes and Spotify. The Aurora Public Library has also already posted the whole series on its Youtube channel.
It was not easy to interview guests sharing some very emotional accounts, Mandlecorn said.
“The commitment and openness of our guests who shared their professional expertise and their personal life experiences were extremely humbling,” she said. “I challenge anyone to listen to the podcasts and not be moved by their stories.”
