Fifteen years of housing research and three years working at CMHC effectively convinced me that we need radical changes to our housing system in Canada. In particular, we need to think more about reciprocity: what does the current system give back to communities? Are we content with a system in which some individuals and corporations make a lot of profit while others are completely shut out?
This project received funding through the Dalhousie University Sabbatical/Special Leave Grant “How do we want to live? Innovations in Housing Systems” (2022-2023, $8,200). It includes 31 interviews with non-profit housing organizations, planners, builders, and funders. The project was initiated during my sabbatical year (July 1, 2022-July 1, 2023) and completed in 2025.
Project Updates
Silver Buckshot was published in 2026. It has five chapters outlining problems with the current housing system and solutions from the non-profit housing sector, governments, and industrialized construction sector. I’m selling the book at in-person events, I can mail you a copy within Canada, or you can order it on Amazon. For more details, check out my Books page.
PRESENTATIONS & EVENTS
Thomas, R. “More than a silver bullet: Non-market housing solutions” and book sale. Canadian Institute of Planners conference. July 6-9, 2026, Montreal.
Halifax Book Launch: July 25, 2026.