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Come and learn from the Experts at Kitchener Public Library Theatre on August 16th from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. The Lived Expertise Working Group presents an exhibit and discussion on Homelessness in our region.
About the Exhibit:
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that removing encampments without sufficient shelter spaces violates constitutional rights. As more high rises are built and affordable housing options are lost, people continue to be displaced in Waterloo Region. However, even in the midst of this crisis, the experiences and stories of those who are unsheltered largely remain invisible to the public.
"Falling Through the Cracks" is a photo exhibit showcasing the perspectives of community members with lived experiences of homelessness in Waterloo Region. It is a collaboration between the Social Development Centre's Lived Expertise Working Group and Wilfrid Laurier University. This partnership was built during a Fall 2022 undergraduate research course and acts as one of three main projects the SDC is working on with the City of Kitchener as part of a 2-year partnership to address the impacts of the housing crisis.
The Lived Expertise Working Group is a two-year pilot project hosted by the Social Development Centre in partnership with the City of Kitchener to advise on the implementation and monitoring of the Housing for All Strategy. The working group consists of twelve lived experts who meet twice a month from May 2022 to April 2024.
The Working Group is supported by a facilitation team including a lead facilitator, social work support worker, research support worker, digital support worker and staff from the Planning Department. The Working Group has strong community support and interest from media, academia, and other municipalities.
Exhibit Purpose:
We hope to spark discussion and advocate for policies that provide equitable access to housing and economic resources to better support unhoused people in Waterloo Region. We also want to raise awareness by showing different perspectives on housing insecurity, as well as uplift the voices of those most impacted and spark conversations with change makers and the general public.
