Home ownership has always been a bedrock of Canadian society, says Julia Deans: “It’s the place where you can be secure and stable — no landlord is going to renovict you, you’re going to be able to save money and build equity.”

But, she continues, that bedrock is crumbling as home ownership is put out of reach for many.

Deans, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, discussed the problem and approaches to addressing it with UWindsor chancellor Mary Jo Haddad in a conversation March 21 entitled “Building Community.”

The event was part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Series highlighting observations on innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and diversity from leaders across Canada, with the goal of helping young Canadians reach their full potential.

Habitat for Humanity Canada, which Deans has led since 2020, focuses on smoothing the path to homeownership for people living with low income. She practised law in Toronto and Hong Kong and built a business in Singapore before becoming CEO of CivicAction, Futurpreneur Canada, and the Canada Children’s Literacy Foundation.

A video recording of the March 21 dialogue is available for watching on the UWindsor YouTube channel.