Research Lead

We are looking for a Research Lead who will have a central role in this 4-year funded project that seeks to reduce structural violence and stigma against unhoused people who use drugs, a group facing substantial barriers to stable housing due to current policies. Many in this community endure cycles of homelessness and are often excluded from housing and support services due to drug use, eviction risks, or fines related to harm reduction efforts. Despite government acknowledgment of the intersection between drug dependency and homelessness, the focus has largely been on treatment, with little attention given to stable housing needs.

The project objectives will be 3 phased:

• Documenting lived experiences of unhoused people who use drugs through community-led research initiatives.
• Developing best practices with input from impacted communities to promote inclusive, supportive housing strategies.
• Advocating for policy change that challenges stigma, reduces evictions, and lowers overdose risks.