Season 2 Episode 5

Please be advised that the topics discussed in this series can be challenging to listen to and explore topics of homelessness, abuse, torture, transphobia, racism, and drug use. Please take care while listening.

In this episode of She. They. Us., we explore the urgent need for trans-inclusive housing in Canada through the powerful stories of Jodi Gray and Martha Singh Jennings.

First, we will meet Jodi Gray, who is a trans woman living in Vancouver and the former Program Manager at Aoki Ross House. Jodi details how, as a trans woman, she experiences consistent hostility and violence in her everyday life, including in her housing journey

Next, we will meet Marth Singh Jennings, who works at the 519 in Toronto. The 519 is a 2SLGBTQIA+ shelter in Toronto, Ontario. Martha talks to us about the Trans Access Project, a project dedicated to supporting staff members with training to ensure the shelter is more inclusive of all sexualities and genders. She also shares how queer refugees are particularly vulnerable in the housing sector.

Meet Our Guests in Order of Appearance

• Jodi Gray, Trans Advocate
• Martha Singh Jennigs, The 519, Toronto

About your host

Andrea Reimer is a Housing Advocate and former politician. In 2008, Andrea was elected as a City Councillor for the City of Vancouver, and served in that role for ten years. Since 2019, she has been an Adjunct Professor at University of British Columbia’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. In her teen years, Andrea experienced homelessness and has been a public voice within the housing crisis for the last two decades.

Additional Resources from this Episode

We've gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:

Season 1 of She. They. Us.: https://pcvwh.ca/she-they-us/she-they-us-podcast/

Pan-Canadian Voice for Women’s Housing: https://pcvwh.ca/

Aoki Ross House: https://ssl.straight.com/living/bcs-first-supportive-housing-project-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-people-launches-in#

The 519: https://www.the519.org/programs/tpoc/

Pacewood Shelter: https://www.the519.org/programs/housing-services/

Unfortunately, there is not a national crisis line in Canada for survivors of gender based violence. But you can find provincial crisis lines and other resources at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html

#housing #housingcrisis #canada