CMHC Housing Research Scholarship Program

Supporting a new generation of multi-disciplinary housing researchers in Canada

The CMHC Housing Research Scholarship Program works to build Canadian expertise in housing research. In collaboration with three federal granting agencies—known as the Tri-Agencies—it provides post-doctoral fellowships in housing and related fields. This reflects the multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional nature of Canadian housing issues and helps to address research and knowledge translation gaps. It also promotes excellence in research through training and supports the career development of new researchers.

Each fellowship is up to 2 years in length and ranges in value from $45,000 to $60,000 per year. The value of each award is determined by the degree(s) held, licensure (where applicable), location of tenure and applicant experience.

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Recognize excellence in early career academic research.
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Advance knowledge and its application in the housing sector.
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Expand the community of reliable, highly skilled and qualified researchers.

Project scope and expected outcomes

The What We Heard report

The What We Heard report highlighted the importance of housing research in Canada. In particular, it emphasized the need for more and better housing data to understand the housing conditions and needs of Canadians.

Canadian housing issues, however, are multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional in nature. Addressing research and knowledge translation gaps in housing and related fields requires taking different approaches and including many disciplines.

A multi-disciplinary approach

The CMHC Housing Research Scholarship Program reflects the value of that multi-disciplinary approach. It is a partnership between CMHC and the Tri-Agency federal granting agencies:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

The Tri-Agencies have a long history of excellence in peer review and a well-known program structure. This experience—and the different disciplines they represent—ensure that the Housing Research Scholarship Program is rigorous and multi-sectoral.

Recognizing excellence and supporting career development

In addition to supporting research, particularly into National Housing Strategy priority areas, the Scholarship Program also supports career development. It recognizes excellence in early career academic research, and seeks to expand the community of skilled, active housing researchers. These researchers are the future of housing research, making contributions to Canada’s housing sector, both in and out of academia.

Past winners

Scholarships awarded in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Population and Public Health (CIHR-IPPH):

2018: Geoff Bardwell, University of British Columbia (Examining Housing-based Overdose Response Interventions in Vancouver)
2018: Alexa Yakubovich, St. Michael’s Hospital (Understanding and Improving Intersectoral Service Responsiveness to the Needs of Women and LGBTQ People Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Canadian Urban Centres: A Mixed-Methods Study).
2019: Christine Sheppard, Sunnybrooke Research Institute (Using an Implementation Science Approach to Design and Evaluate an Integrated Service Model for Seniors Social Housing)
2019: James Lachaud, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (Peer Support: Evaluating a Pilot Program Among Homeless Shelter Users)
2019: Anne-Marie Nader, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Ile-de Montréal – Hôpital Sacré Cœur (Assessing the Impact of Residential Care on the Quality of Life of Autistic Adults)

Scholarships awarded in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC):

2018: Jamie Fine, University of Toronto (Development of a Crowdsourced HVAC Control System for the Retrofit of Post-War Multi-Unit Residential Buildings)
2018: Mohamed Said, University of Waterloo (Autonomous Mobile Manipulators for Community Housing Supply, Sustainability and Operation)
2019: Malak El Hattab, University of Alberta (Towards a More Sustainable Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry: A System-wide Approach for Forecasting Growth Impacts, Simulating Alternative Ways, and Advising Future Directions)

Scholarships awarded in partnership with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC):

2018: Daniela Aiello, Queen’s University (The Contemporary Governance and Colonial Genealogy of Evictions in Vancouver)
2018: Michael Lait, University of Northern British Columbia (Place-based Housing Policy for the Ageing Resource Frontier: A Study of Seniors Housing Needs, Housing Options, and Age-friendly Assets in Resource-based Communities in Northwest British Columbia, Canada)
2018: Katherine Perrott, York University (Densifying the Dream: “Missing Middle” Housing, Sustainable Suburban Growth, and Affordability)
2018: Julien Simard, McGill University (Older Tenants from Racialized Communities Facing Direct Displacement in Montreal: Experiences and Strategies)
2019: Susane Havelka, McGill University (Linking Self-building and Well-being: Uncovering Capabilities and Promise in Canada and Greenland)
2019: Liza Jackson, Wilfred Laurier University (From Prison to Homeless Shelter: Unpacking the Logic of Carcerality)
2019: Guillaume Lessard, University of Waterloo/McMaster University (What About Accessory Dwelling Units?: ADU's Role in Regards to Changes in Housing Needs and Their Potential Contribution to a Sustainable (Sub)urban Transformation)
2019: Trevor Wideman, Simon Fraser University (Land Use Control, Residential Property, and Local Governance in Vancouver and Toronto: Planning and Policy for Housing Affordability)