Shannon Down, Policy Counsel, Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario

Shannon joined us by Zoom for Community Matters: Developing a Community Action Plan for Housing, presenting to a live gathering in Northumberland on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Formerly Executive Director of the Waterloo Community Legal Clinic, Shannon spoke about the Waterloo court decisions related to encampments and what those decisions mean for communities responding to homelessness. As counsel and co-counsel on both court cases, representing residents experiencing homelessness, Shannon brought a direct legal perspective on the rights, responsibilities, and practical considerations surrounding encampments, shelter, and access to housing.