A CMHC-SSHRC Joint Initiative: Collaborative Housing Research Network

The Collaborative Housing Research Network is an independent, Canada-wide collaboration of academics and community partners. It’s focused on multi-disciplinary research on housing conditions, needs and outcomes in support of the priority areas of the National Housing Strategy.

The network was formed using 8 1-year SSHRC Partnership Development Grants to develop full applications, totalling $640,000. Of those 8 applications, 6 5-year SSHRC Partnership Grants were awarded in 2020, totalling $7.9 million.

Over the initial 5-year funding period, the Network has:

• established itself as a trusted source of housing research in Canada
• advanced capacity building through its research training

The knowledge mobilization HUB (the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative) has been engaged by thought leaders, decision-makers and policy specialists at different levels of government to have a direct and impactful effect on policy.

In July 2024, the 6 teams were invited to submit grant renewal proposals for the remaining 3 years of funding under the National Housing Strategy, as extensions of each team’s existing work.

In February 2025, each of the 6 teams was approved for grant renewal funding for an additional 3-year period, totalling $5.2 million.

The Collaborative Housing Research Network is part of a suite of initiatives under the National Housing Strategy.

The Collaborative Housing Research Network Structure

Research teams bring together a diverse group of researchers and housing system stakeholders around a common focus and objectives. Each team is led by a project coordinator and focused on one thematic research area aligned with the National Housing Strategy’s priority areas of action. The Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative coordinates research collaboration and planning internally among the research teams.  It also leads knowledge mobilization within the network and externally.

Six teams are funded under the initiative. Each research team below has a project profile available for you to learn more about their work.

Knowledge Mobilization Hub:

• Dr. James Dunn, McMaster University, The Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative (CHEC)

Research Teams:

• Dr. Sarah Canham, Simon Fraser University, Aging in the right place: Building Capacity for Promising Practices that Support Older People Experiencing Homelessness in Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver.
• Dr. Julia Christensen, Queen’s University, At Home in the North: New Partners for Northern Housing Security and Homes 
• Dr. Damian Collins, University of Alberta, Community Housing Sustainability: Building a Resilient Community Housing Sector in Canada 
• Dr. Alexandra Flynn, The University of British Columbia, CMHC-SSHRC Balanced Supply of Housing Node 
• Dr. Catherine Leviten-Reid, Cape Breton University, People, Places, Policies and Prospects: Affordable Rental Housing for those in the Greatest Need