Black Youth Housing Equity Summit 2025

Sub-Theme: From Framework to Action: Advancing Culturally Responsive Head Leasing Solutions

Morning Session

10:00 – 10:15 AM | S2.01 – Registration & Morning Snack

November 21, 2025

10:00am

Participants arrive, register, and collect materials while connecting over refreshments. Facilitated by the REST Team, this informal opening fosters relationship-building and sets the stage for collaborative work. By the end, attendees feel grounded, connected, and ready to dive into Day Two’s action-oriented focus.

10:15 – 10:25 AM | S2.02 – Opening Remarks & Call to Order:

Dagma Koyi (Executive Director & Founder, REST Centres) and Justice Greggory Regis, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Former Regional Senior Justice, Ontario Court of Justice (Summit Co-Chair). Summit Co-Chairs welcome participants back, recap Day One highlights, and outline how today will move from ideas to implementation. Participants will feel re-energized, aligned, and clear about the day’s goals and their role in shaping outcomes

10:25 – 10:45 AM | S2.03 – Bridge of Hope – A Head Leasing Innovation:

Lara Adetukasi, Director of Programs and Services, REST Centres. REST Centres presents its adaptable head leasing model, designed specifically for black youth housing. The session outlines key features, successes, and lessons learned, demonstrating how head leasing can provide stable housing pathways while promoting youth autonomy. It will also identify gaps in implementation, particularly as they relate to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and other relevant policies, to stimulate dialogue on policy reform and equitable housing application. By the end, participants will gain practical insights into a scalable model and how similar approaches can be adapted and strengthened to advance housing equity for Black youth

10:45 – 11:05 AM | S2.04 – From Head Leasing to Village Building:

Kizito Musabimana (Founder, Rwanda Healing Centre). Kizito will presents the African Canadian Village Housing and how Solutions Lab innovations can be adapted for Black youth housing equity. The session examines how culturally grounded, community-led approaches can complement formal systems. By the end, participants leave with fresh ideas on blending head leasing with community-building models that strengthen cultural identity and collective support.

11:05 – 11:25 AM | S2.05 – RTA and Models of Head Leasing:

A Critical Look into Policy Implications: Margaret Flynn, Director of Policy and Law Reform, Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR)

Margaret Flynn (Canadian Centre for Housing Rights) explores the legal and regulatory landscape of head leasing under the Residential Tenancies Act and related policies. The presentation highlights barriers, equity considerations, and compliance issues facing agencies using innovative leasehold models to address youth homelessness. By the end, participants leave with a clearer understanding of how policy frameworks shape head leasing and practical insights for advocacy and implementation.

11:25 – 11:55 AM | S2.06 – Breakout Discussions: Examining the Head Leasing Framework

Facilitators:

• Bright Okenwa, Barrister, Solicitor, & Notary Public , Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR)

• Efia Takyi Annan (TBD) See Victor for Title, and Organization,

Participants break into small groups to explore legal and regulatory considerations, landlord engagement strategies, and community partnerships. Discussions also focus on equity, funding, and sustainability strategies to strengthen head-leasing models for Black youth. By the end, each group will have identified key barriers, recommendations, and next steps to inform the Summit’s Youth Policy Brief and Advocacy Toolkit.

11:55 – 12:45 PM | Lunch Break

A catered lunch provides participants with time to network, reflect on breakout discussions, and build relationships for post-Summit collaboration.

Sub-Theme: Youth Voices, Research Insights, and Community Innovation in Practice

Afternoon Sessions

12:45 – 1:35 PM | S2.07 – By the Fireside: Youth Voices for Housing Equity:

Moderator: Jacqui Henry, Program Lead, REST Centres

This session features REST Youth Council and partner agency youth sharing lived experiences, visions for change, and drafting a 2-page Youth Policy Brief in real time. By the end, participants leave with a vivid understanding of youth-led priorities and practical tools to embed youth leadership in their own programs and policies.

1:35 – 2:05 PM | S2.08 – Family and Natural Supports:

Strengthening Upstream Interventions for Black Youth . This session examines the role of family and community networks in preventing youth homelessness, highlighting the Family and Natural Supports (FNS) model and REST’s Family Intervention and Reunification Management (FIRM) program. The FNS model focuses on enhancing relationships with family, kin, and natural supports to promote youth stability and resilience. REST’s FIRM program puts this approach into action by working to repair and strengthen family connections, reduce conflict, and support reunification when it is safe and appropriate. Participants will gain evidence-based strategies to incorporate these methods into their own prevention initiatives.

Moderator: Nation Cheong (VP, United Way Greater Toronto) (TBD)

Panelists:

• Dr. Stephen Gaetz, Professor, Faculty of Education, York University; President, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness & Homeless Hub; Co-Director, Making the Shift – Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab

• Nekpen Obasogie, Family Social Worker and Marjaan McDonald (RISE Lead, REST Centres)

• Marjaan McDonald (RISE Lead, REST Centres)

2:05 – 2:15 PM | Q&A & Discussion – Family and Natural Supports

An audience-driven dialogue allowing participants to engage directly with presenters, clarify concepts, and explore applications to their local contexts. By the end, attendees leave with sharper, actionable insights to strengthen upstream interventions.

2:15 – 2:45 PM | S2.09 – Research Spotlight (TBD)

Team from University of Toronto, Housing Justice Lab)

2:45 – 2:55 PM | Q&A & Discussion – Research Spotlight

2:55 – 3:05 PM | Afternoon Snack Break

Light refreshments allow participants to recharge and network informally before the extended workshop. By the end, attendees return refreshed and prepared for deep skill-building.

3:05 – 4:20 PM | S2.10 – Workshop:

Building Resilience – Trauma-Informed Practice for Black Youth: Nene Kwasi Kafele, Founder, Tabono Institute, Community Scholar in Residence, YouthREX

Led by Nene Kwasi Kafele (Tabono Institute), this extended workshop provides practical, culturally grounded tools for strength-based service delivery and staff capacity-building. Participants engage in interactive activities and leave with concrete trauma-informed practices they can implement immediately to support Black youth more effectively.

4:20 – 4:40 PM | S2.11 – Summit Wrap-Up & Way Forward:

Dagma Koyi (Executive Director & Founder, REST Centres) and Justice Greggory Regis, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Former Regional Senior Justice, Ontario Court of Justice (Summit Co-Chair)

Dagma Koyi and Justice Greggory Regis recap key insights from the two-day Summit, outline next steps, and share the post-Summit action strategy. By the end, participants leave with a clear roadmap for sustaining momentum, implementing strategies, and contributing to the sector’s collective impact.

4:40 – 4:50 PM | S2.12 – Thanks & Recognition

The REST Team closes the Summit by acknowledging youth, partners, speakers, and attendees for their contributions. By the end, participants leave feeling valued, motivated, and part of a growing movement for Black youth housing equity.

4:50 – 5:00 PM | Evening Snack & Departure

Light refreshments served as participants say their farewells and solidify new relationships. By the end, attendees leave connected, inspired, and equipped to drive change beyond the Summit.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the original stewards of the various lands we are on. We also acknowledge our Ancestors. We acknowledge all those who toiled without compassion or compensation. We acknowledge all the Elders and community stalwarts whose shoulders we stand on as we build, share and learn together for our collective liberation and sovereignty.