Housing Advocacy Field School

The Housing Advocacy Field School is a national training and mentorship program organized by the Centre for Urban Youth Research (CUYR). The program is designed for young people from across Canada interested in advancing housing justice and advocacy. 

We are inviting applications from individuals aged 18-35 who are enthusiastic about developing their knowledge, skills, and networks to advocate for affordable housing and housing rights for all. The program places particular importance on the perspectives and participation of people with lived experience of housing precarity and/or homelessness.

About the Field School

Participants will engage with housing researchers, community organizers, and housing advocates from Canada and internationally. Grounded in anti-oppressive, experiential, trauma-informed, and emotion-centered pedagogy, the Field School will run virtually for 3 hours per week, over the course of 12 weeks (May to July 2026). 

Through workshops, discussions, and case studies, the Field School will provide:

• Practical tools for housing advocacy;

• Insights from housing movements and campaigns across Canada and internationally;

• Opportunities to connect with researchers and community organizations;

• Collaborative learning with other individuals passionate about housing justice.

During the final stage of the program, participants will design their own advocacy initiative, either individually or in a small team. These initiatives may address housing issues at the local, regional, or national level. Participants will also be connected with community organizations and advocacy networks that can support their work beyond the program.

Who Can Apply?

We encourage applications from individuals who:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 35;

• Are interested in housing justice, housing rights, and advocacy/activism;

• Want to build and expand on capacity, tools, and relationships to advocate for affordable housing and ending homelessness;

• Are motivated to collaborate with others working toward housing justice. 

Applicants with lived experience of housing precarity or homelessness are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Schedule:

The field school will run weekly on Thursdays from May 7 to July 23, 2026 (2:00 - 5:00 pm EST). The program will take place entirely on-line, to support national engagement.

Participants must attend at least 10 out of the 12 sessions to receive a Certificate of Housing Advocacy (CHA). 

Fees: 

Participants will be asked to pay a modest fee of $200 (part-time employed) or $300 (full-time employed or sponsored by an organization) for their time in the Field School. All funds will be used to support staffing and planning for next year’s Field School. Community organizations, academics, and government offices are encouraged to pay for their students or staff to attend, if possible. 

No individuals will be turned away for lack of funds.

Scholarships/Subsidies:

Scholarships and participation subsidies are available for applicants who:

• Have lived experience of homelessness;

• Have experienced housing precarity and/or

• Are currently in a financially precarious situation.

There will be an opportunity on the application page to indicate whether you require a scholarship and/or subsidy to participate. 

Application Requirements:

Applicants are asked to submit a short statement of intent (maximum 500 words) describing:

• Why they are interested in participating in the Field School;

• Personal experiences of housing injustice (if applicable);

• Any relevant experience in housing advocacy, community organizing, or social justice work;

• What they hope to learn or achieve through the program;

• If they identify with any justice-seeking groups, including but not limited to First Nations, Métis, Inuit peoples, racialized/people of colour, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and/or people with disabilities. 

  
  

Applicants may be contacted by the Field School selection committee if additional information is required. 

Spaces are limited; we may not be able to accept all that apply. If applicants wish, we will keep their information to be considered again for next year’s Field School.

Apply:

Applications are submitted through the online application form

Application deadline: Thursday April 9^th, 2026

Announcement of results and full program of the Field School: Monday April 20^th, 2026. 

For questions about the program, please contact: housingadvocacyfs@gmail.com

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This is a Knowledge Mobilization initiative of the People, Places, Policies, and Prospects: Affordable Rental Housing for Those in Greatest Need research project (rentalhousingresearch.ca), with the participation of A Safe and Affordable Place to Call Home: A Longitudinal Outcomes Analysis of the National Housing Strategy (safeandaffordable.ca).

The Housing Advocacy Field School is supported by funding from SSHRC and CMHC.