How a UTM Grad is bringing a human-rights-based approach to city living across Canada.
For Latonya Ludford (BA 2020, MUI 2022), the political science program at U of T Mississauga (UTM) was a perfect fit and afforded her the opportunity to branch out and develop her interests.
“I had a big love for politics,” says Ludford.
“Plus, I loved to learn about it, discuss it, and learn about its history. I realized political science would be a good starting place to get a broad scope of political affairs and consider what I’d specifically want to do in the field.”
After taking an urban politics course later in her undergraduate journey, Ludford found a passion she did not know she was missing.
“In going to class, I fell in love with cities,” she says.
“Based on everything I was previously taught, I thought you had to be higher up for change when, in reality, cities are the nexus where change happens.”
It was also in this class that Ludford learned of UTM’s Urban Innovation (MUI) master’s program.
“We were learning about war and peace and politics, but I wanted to know about the little guy – those that often get overlooked and how their lives are impacted by decisions made far above them, and what it would take to put them at the center of decision making. This program seemed like the place I could get answers and be part of the solution.”
After becoming one of eight members of the inaugural class of the MUI program, Ludford interned at the Maytree Foundation, a human-rights organization that supports economic equality initiatives in Toronto. At the time of the Maytree Foundation’s work on the Toronto Housing Commissioner Project, Ludford worked alongside the staff to conduct consultations, research, and jurisdictional scans for the project, and again she was struck by the influence that stems from more local forms of government.
“Municipalities hold so much power – it’s not just about creating rules, they are the centre of social-political development,” says Ludford.
“If you want to solve climate change, homelessness, or any such social issue, it starts with cities, especially with how urban the world is becoming.”
Currently, Ludford is the Canada Project Manager at The Shift, an international human rights organization focused on securing the right to adequate housing for those in greatest need.
Ludford applies her background in political science and urban innovation in exciting ways.
“Political science is rooted in everything I do,” says Ludford.
“It taught me how to dissect information, situations, and understand their building blocks. When I’m sitting with city officials or analyzing policies, I can always examine it with a unique lens.”
In her role at The Shift, Ludford collaborates with cities across Canada to provide guidance on what the right to housing means and the obligation it creates for governments. She also encourages implementing housing policies that comply with a human rights-based approach.
“I have a lot of consultations and meetings with people who are facing homelessness and are struggling,” says Ludford.
“The fact that they’re willing to speak about their experience because they want better outcomes for others is humbling. The hope that they keep, I’ve never seen such resilience before – I’m in awe of their strength.”
Much of Ludford’s work is relational. In addition to meeting with civil society organizations, lived experts, stakeholders, and government officials, she views capacity building on the right to adequate housing as critical for movement building on adopting rights-based approaches to address complex social issues.
Looking to the future, Ludford is excited to continue advocating for governments to take an innovative and human rights-based approach to create sustainable long-term solutions for urban housing challenges.
Ludford advises current students not to put too much pressure on oneself.
“The experiences you have and that you’ll build on will build you and will inform your career path and the role you will play in life.”