On February 23, five housing experts from Finland, Austria, and Canada engaged in an in-depth, two-hour forum that underscored how differently European nations approach housing. In countries like Finland and Austria, housing is treated as essential social infrastructure, not merely a market commodity. This advances a provocative conclusion: Canadian leaders understand viable solutions to the housing crisis — but political choice, not ignorance, stands in the way.
Affordable housing is a major problem, with many Canadians struggling with high costs and the inadequate supply of suitable homes. These struggles can impact health, happiness, and financial stability, and may lead to homelessness and a cycle of housing insecurity.
A lack of affordable housing doesn’t just affect low-income households. It reshapes the economic and social stability of the middle class as well. Even relatively high earners can feel “house-poor.”
Teachers, nurses, tradespeople, and small business owners—core middle-class roles—can be priced out of communities they serve. This strains public services and local businesses and can hollow out neighbourhood diversity.
In short, a housing affordability crisis doesn’t stop at the poverty line. It compresses the middle class, increases financial risk, and undermines long-term economic stability.
Can this situation in Canada be changed? Can we learn from other regions?
The answer to both questions is a resounding YES!
Housing First is achieving positive results across Europe, with Finland being the leading success story. Several countries are implementing the program, achieving positive outcomes for the homeless and the underhoused.
Housing First prioritizes immediate, permanent housing with tailored social supports available for those who need assistance.
Housing First can result in affordable homes for everyone. Two years ago, The Guardian called Vienna the world’s most liveable city, with renters paying a third of what their counterparts pay in London, Paris, or Dublin. The report about a 26-year-old graduate student includes this:
[Schranz] pays €596 (C$962) a month for his 54 sq metre two-bedroom apartment – a fraction of typical rents for similarly sized and similarly located apartments in other major European cities. What’s more, he didn’t have to put down a deposit and his rental contract is unlimited – in theory, he’s allowed to pass it on to his children or a sibling when he eventually decides to move on.
A Canada West Forum will be held online to discuss affordable housing and homelessness. These panelists are confirmed.
Tina Atva is the Director of Community Planning and Housing for the District of North Vancouver. She has had extensive experience in strategic planning, policy development, and land use management across Metro Vancouver. Her work focuses on advancing sustainable community growth through thoughtful planning and housing policy.
Patrick Condon holds the James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments at the University of British Columbia. Through his research, he explores how communities can be designed and built to be affordable, equitable, and ecologically resilient. He is the author of several influential books, including Broken City, Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis, which examines the role of land speculation in driving housing crises.
Juha Kahila is Head of International Affairs at Y-Säätiö, Finland’s largest nonprofit housing provider. Finland has significantly reduced homelessness through its national Housing First policy, which prioritizes immediate, unconditional access to permanent housing alongside integrated social supports. Juha works internationally as a trainer and advisor, supporting NGOs and cities across Europe in implementing Housing First Europe.
Martin Orner was recently appointed Head of the Housing Strategy Department at Austria’s Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport. Throughout his career, Mr. Orner has worked with organizations supporting people experiencing social and mental health challenges. He has collaborated with nonprofit housing developers to transform derelict or abandoned buildings into affordable, long-term housing. By revitalizing existing resources, his work has helped stabilize neighbourhoods while ensuring housing projects remain financially sustainable.
Jean Swanson, a former Vancouver City Councillor, writer, community leader, and activist, has advocated for low-income and marginalized Canadians since the 1970s. She served as President of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (now Canada Without Poverty) and currently volunteers with the Carnegie Housing Project. The organization is working to have $500-a-month housing provided to people who are homeless or living in single room occupancy (SRO) units.
The online forum will begin 9:00 AM February 23. It will be livestreamed on Zoom. Anyone can watch and submit questions. There is no charge for the forum, but you are invited to join Canada West Forum Society and participate in future events. PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER FOR THE FORUM.
Follow this LINK to join our nonprofit society. The cost is a mere $10 for 2026, but you are welcome to contribute more if you are able. Every dollar is used to organize forums. Members of Canada West Forum Society volunteer their time and receive zero remuneration.
I look forward to hearing Juha Kahila talk about how Finland has tried to solve modern housing problems. The country is more successful than Canada and that probably relieves many of its citizens.
By no coincidence, The World Happiness Report states:
https://www.worldhappiness.report/
By the way, Canada ranks 18th and USA is 24th.