Maureen Fair

A black and white portrait image of a woman with short grey hair, and horn-rimmed glasses, wearing a button-up shirt, and smiling, seated on stairs.

Meet Maureen Fair, a neighbourhood builder & policy advocate

Current Title: Executive Director at West Neighbourhood House

#housing
#communitydevelopment
#publicpolicy

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If you want to understand how housing, health, income security, and community life intersect, talk to Maureen. For 34 years she has served as Executive Director of West Neighbourhood House in downtown west Toronto, leading a multi-service centre that supports 15,000–20,000 people each year. From people experiencing homelessness to seniors who are cash-poor but housing-rich, Maureen keeps a steady focus on both individual needs and structural change. With experience spanning program design, community development, public policy, and advocacy, she brings a clear-eyed grasp of power, paired with the conviction that neighbourhood organizations can — and must — shape systems for the public good.

Maureen’s strengths

  • Designing and managing community-based programs

  • Developing and advancing public policy strategies

  • Advocacy on income security, income inequality, community health, and housing

  • Big picture thinking paired with experimental action

Maureen’s background

  • 34 years as Executive Director, West Neighbourhood House (Toronto)

  • Member, Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) funding reform steering committee, and former board member

  • Prototyped Grounded Space, an in-house R&D function for social service organizations, along with InWithForward and other partners

  • Master of Science in Planning

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