Housing – How current public policy addresses the housing needs of the Autistic community throughout Alberta

Recorded July 13, 2024. A panel discussion on housing in Alberta for autistic individuals by members of the Housing Community of Practice.

Melinda Noyes

Melinda Noyes found her niche at McMan Youth, Family, and Community Services, where she dedicated over 24 years to working with neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities, contributing significantly to the senior leadership team.

Her expertise in housing development flourished at Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, where she served as the Chief Strategic Engagement Officer. Melinda actively engaged with individuals across the housing continuum and the regional housing community, notably participating in the Edmonton Shovel Ready Working Group from 2019 to 2021. Possessing a Master’s in Community Development from the University of Victoria, Melinda specializes in change management, strategic planning, systems management, fund development planning, and governance.

Currently, Melinda holds influential positions on the boards of Autism Society Alberta, The Sinneave Family Foundation and The Rotary Club of Edmonton. She has served as the president of the Board of iHuman Youth Society for nearly 5 years. With a global perspective, Melinda’s impact in the autistic community spans decades, covering three continents and multiple countries.

In 2021, Melinda assumed the role of Executive Director at Autism Edmonton, providing invaluable leadership to the organization. Under her guidance, Autism Edmonton has experienced growth, advanced advocacy efforts, and contributed to meaningful research, all aimed at addressing the diverse needs of the autistic community in Alberta.

Amy Tatterton (she/her)

Amy Tatterton is the Director of Learning and Connection at The Sinneave Family Foundation. Amy provides leadership to the foundation’s various learning activities and community engagement initiatives. This work helps Sinneave fulfill its mission of reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for Autistic and neurodivergent youth and adults. Amy holds a Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Calgary with a concentration in Educational Research and has personal and professional experience serving the disability community in a variety of environments including sport, post-secondary supports, pediatric behaviour intervention, early childhood learning management and now adulthood transition support.

Drewe Rowbotham (he/him)

Drewe Rowbotham is the Housing Coordinator for Autism Edmonton and facilitator and curator of the Autism Housing Network of Alberta (AHNA) with the Autism Society of Alberta. He is also a Board Member of the Autism Independent Living Association (AILA). He is a B. Ed graduate with distinction from the University of Alberta and has been in the business of housing for over 15 years since becoming a “land steward” aka landlord. His professional career as a Housing Navigator began with e4c as an Arts and Education Facilitator in a Group Home for At-Risk Youth. He has since fulfilled numerous roles to support ending homelessness, including: Follow-up Support Worker, Rapid Re-Housing manager, Intensive Case Management manager, Diversion manager and Landlord Relations Specialist. Drewe is pleased to serve autistic and neurodiverse individuals in improving the access to and quality of housing.

Cheryl Selinger

Cheryl Selinger is a Project Manager in Policy & Strategy, Housing Solutions at The City of Calgary. In previous roles, Cheryl managed data and research in transportation, planning, and affordable housing, and from 2011-2019, she co-led the affordable housing research program for Calgary Housing. In 2021, Cheryl completed a Master of Public Policy degree at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. Her graduate research focused on Canadian housing policy for Albertans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Cheryl has a strong personal connection to the neurodiverse community and has been advocating for inclusive public policy for over a decade in both her personal and professional life.

Nicole Wilke (she/her)

Director, Policy & Strategic Planning, Civida. Nicole Wilke joined Civida in May 2022 as the Director, Policy and Strategic Planning. She has a strong background in policy development and knowledge mobilization from her time at the Government of Alberta and Strathcona County. In 2019, Nicole returned from Berlin, Germany where she completed her master’s degree in business psychology.