ONPHA Opening Doors Podcast

S3E4 - Aligning the Housing System

Today, housing providers are being asked to do more with less, while costs continue to rise faster than the municipal tax base can sustain. In this episode of Opening Doors, host Marlene Coffey is joined by Karen Nesbitt (AMO) and Aaron Stauch (OMSSA) for a candid conversation on what it will take to better align housing across all levels of government. Together, they unpack the growing pressures facing community housing, the limits of relying on property taxes alone, and why stronger coordination between housing, health, and social systems is essential for long-term sustainability.

S3E3 - Rethinking RFPs: Smarter Supplier Selection for Non-profits

Are we wasting precious time and money chasing “best practices” that don’t serve us? In the non-profit world, every dollar and every hour counts. Yet, many organizations still default to formal procurement processes like RFPs, believing they’re always necessary or the gold standard. The truth? They’re not. And misusing them can drain limited resources, delay progress, and even lead to worse outcomes. This episode will challenge the status quo and offer a fresh, strategic lens on supplier selection. We’ll explore: * When supplier selection is truly necessary (and when it’s not). * Why RFPs can be powerful tools (but only in the right context). * How to avoid the trap of over-engineered procurement processes. * Smart alternatives that save time and money like VORs and ONPHA Enterprise group purchasing. Whether you’re a procurement lead, executive director, or program manager, this session will help you make confident, efficient, and mission-aligned decisions without getting bogged down in bureaucracy. Let’s stop doing things just because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Let’s start doing what actually works.

S3E2 - Innovating Aging in Place: Integrated Models for Supporting Seniors

As Ontario’s population ages, housing providers play an increasingly critical role in enabling seniors to age at home with dignity, stability, and a strong sense of community. We showcase how the Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC), in collaboration with sector leaders such as ONPHA and AdvantAge Ontario, is driving innovative and integrated approaches to meet this growing need. In this episode, we draw on global best practices and real-world experiences to explore solutions for extending independent living. We cover neighbourhood-based care, peer-led supports, and adaptive technologies while examining the implementation of the Integrated Service Model to support 15,000 seniors to thrive. Hosted by:  🎙️ Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Featuring Special Guests:  🗣️ Adam Fraser, Data Analyst and Researcher, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association  🗣️ Lisa Levin, CEO, AdvantAge Ontario  🗣️ Deanna Veltri, Director, Engagement, Partnership and Communications, Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation

S3E1 - Made in Housing: Building Economic and Social Sustainability in Community Housing

Community housing is more than a safety net, it’s a powerful engine for economic efficiency, social mobility, and inclusive city-building. As Ontario faces a growing housing crisis, doubling the community housing stock is not just necessary—it’s economically sound. In this premiere episode, we explore the macroeconomic rationale for large-scale investment in community housing, while also reimagining it as a launchpad for thriving, equitable communities. Hosted by: 🎙️ Andrew McKenzie, Director of Operations, Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Featuring Special Guests: 🗣️ Sean Baird, President & CEO, Toronto Community Housing Corporation 🗣️ Stéphane Giguère, CEO, Ottawa Community Housing

S2E7 - Managing Procurement Amid US Tariffs

In this episode of the Opening Doors podcast, Andrew McKenzie, ONPHA’s Director of Operations, and David Rourke, Principal at Round Table Procurement Services and director of the ONPHA Enterprise purchasing program, discuss the impact of US tariffs on community housing. David shares strategies like analyzing supply chains, negotiating prices, and prioritizing Canadian suppliers to mitigate reliance on imports. Learn how ONPHA Enterprise [https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2frtps.ca%2fONPHA_Enterprise%2fhome.html&c=E,1,Dt4QVzWBOrcU4gsMtuILHeRIk5QM_pklZy4x0kSR9tlaOIrHpBYFmb23heXyetgodeQJXMglYaJsStyqsRd1UrTjUgMIO8YAVooqPLrfwJFTZo9Tm30L-us,&typo=1] offers expert procurement guidance and resources and access to preferred suppliers for ONPHA Members to navigate current economic challenges.