Many would agree they fell into social housing as a career. It is an industry full of people with a variety of backgrounds,making it a unique and exciting area to work.  Yet it seems as though fewer of the younger generations are finding, or should I say falling, into this industry.  As someone from one of these younger generations, and who has entered into the social housing sector, I recently began to seriously think about sector renewal and succession planning.  This is not a new topic; it has been well discussed. However, when I learned about the award-winning Community-University Partnership (CUP), I felt that sharing its successes could lead to a whole new dialogue of ideas.

The Community-University Partnership (CUP)

CUP was created in 2005 with a partnership between the University of Windsor, the Field Education Program and community stakeholders. It was spearheaded by the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work with the vision that a union would increase access to available resources to low-income housing neighbourhoods in the city of Windsor, and in doing so, transforming them.

The program was initially launched in one of Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation’s housing communities and has since grown to six, with over 1500 units participating now, and further expansion underway. The program offers students hands-on experience working with clients and residents of social housing, allowing residents to access skills and services to help better their lives and neighbourhoods. Together, students and members of the community worked to create new programming strategies for areas such as health promotion, crime prevention, physical fitness, and community gardens.

Left to Right: Jim Steele, Chief Executive, Windsor Essex Community Housing Corporation; Cathy Nantais, Tenant, Windsor Essex CHC; Larry Thibert, Tenant, Windsor Essex CHC; Liz Malone D'Agnolo, Program Coordinator, Grandview, Community University Partnership; Debbie Cercone, Executive Director, Housing and Children’s Services, City of Windsor; Cheryl Taggert, Senior Project Manager, Community University Partnership; Mary Medcalf, Coordinator of Field Education Programs, School of Social Work, University of Windsor; Brent Angell, Director, School of Social Work, University of Windsor

Recently, the Community-University Partnership for Community Development, Research and Training (CUP) won the annual Community-Campus Partnership for Health (CCPH) Annual Award. In the December 2010, press release, marking the celebration of the 5 year anniversary of CUP, Dr. Wildeman, the University of Windsor’s President and Vice Chancellor was quoted saying: “The University of Windsor is very proud of our five year alliance with CUP and the knowledge, values and skills our students have gained and practiced in the community, which serves as a foundation for their future careers.”

Could these be foundations that will lay the framework for students to choose social housing as a career?

How do we create more tripwires like this program to expose a new generation to housing, informing them that a career in social housing is “hip”?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.