From Crisis to Opportunity

Session Summary: What if the homes we build today could do more than provide shelter? What if they could reduce emissions, promote health and wellness, foster social cohesion, and strengthen the fabric of our communities? As we face the rising cost of housing and the harsh realities of a changing climate, the conversation around housing has shifted. Drawing on real-life examples from across Canada and the U.S., this session brought together leaders in rethinking housing to share stories of communities already taking bold action, where innovative designs, low carbon building materials, renewable energy, smart construction and community co-benefits are creating homes that are sustainable, resilient, and affordable. Panelists looked at how affordable housing requires collaboration and scalable, repeatable solutions for success at the pace we need, and how public-private partnerships are accelerating action.