Carolyn Whitzman
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cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman
@cwhitzman.bsky.social
9.2K followers 2.5K following 550 posts

Senior housing researcher, University of Toronto School of Cities. Author, “Clara at the Door with a Revolver”(2023), “Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis” ( 2024).

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Carolyn Whitzman is a Canadian urban planner, community activist and author. She is a leading Canadian authority on housing and has worked in non-profit, government and academic sectors. She has received several awards for her work, and is the author of several books and peer-reviewed papers, also writing regularly for media outlets on these topics. .. more

Economics 26%
Political science 18%
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cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Nov 10
I recently published a paper for @irpp.bsky.social about how the enable deeply affordable homes with supports, the only proven way to end homelessness irpp.org/research-stu...

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

irpp.org
IRPP @irpp.org · 6d
🎧What broke housing in Canada and how do we fix it?

Jennifer speaks with housing expert @cwhitzman.bsky.social on the policy choices behind today’s crisis and the practical pathways forward, from non-market housing to financing reform.

Out on all platforms + YouTube.
irpp.org/podcast/what...
What Broke Housing in Canada, and How to Fix It - IRPP
In this episode of Futureproofing Canada, host Jennifer Ditchburn speaks with Carolyn Whitzman, one of the country’s leading housing experts, about how decades of policy choices created today’s housin...
irpp.org

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 10d
The focus needs to be on maintaining permanent hsg & repair the individual’s social relationships.
A woman, Sandra, smiling as she speaks into a mike.

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 10d
Shelters can create homelessness but they are seen as the ‘simple’ solution. Sandra Clarkson from Calgary talked about how half+ 900 ppl using their shelter every night had been living there for over 3 months. Cash, creating permanent hsg has led to 3500 successful tenancies.
Four people on a stage

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 10d
90% of youth in the Niagara program stayed housed. Mike talked about how outreach in small community schools became the basis for keeping kids in families, housing, school & local community.
Michael Lethby from Niagara Region sitting on a chair and speaking into a microphone.

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 10d
At Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa public event on Emergency Shelter Transformation with Calgary Drop In & Niagara Resource Service for Youth, featuring Jennifer McKelvie MP & Catherine Cullen from CBC.
A poster for the event

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 14d
Excellent prescription.
lloydalter.bsky.social Lloyd Alter @lloydalter.bsky.social · 14d
@mark-carney.bsky.social says we should build with Canadian materials. I wrote a post earlier about this, calling for mass timber, missing middle housing, straw and wood fibre and more lloydalter.substack.com/p/how-canada...

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

lloydalter.bsky.social
Lloyd Alter @lloydalter.bsky.social · 14d
@mark-carney.bsky.social says we should build with Canadian materials. I wrote a post earlier about this, calling for mass timber, missing middle housing, straw and wood fibre and more lloydalter.substack.com/p/how-canada...

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 16d
I hope they make it after all.
audiosand.bsky.social Sandhya Dirks @audiosand.bsky.social · 16d
On a downtown street in Minneapolis, as people stream out from the massive march, Mary Tyler Moore says “fuck ice.”
A picture of the Mary Tyler Moore statue in downtown Minneapolis, depicting the iconic moment from the show where she throws her hat in the air. But the hat has been covered over with a protesters cardboard sign, reading “FUCK ICE.”

Reposted by Jason Mittell, David Dunning, Jonathan A. Foley , and 7 more

audiosand.bsky.social
Sandhya Dirks @audiosand.bsky.social · 16d
On a downtown street in Minneapolis, as people stream out from the massive march, Mary Tyler Moore says “fuck ice.”
A picture of the Mary Tyler Moore statue in downtown Minneapolis, depicting the iconic moment from the show where she throws her hat in the air. But the hat has been covered over with a protesters cardboard sign, reading “FUCK ICE.”

Reposted by Jane Green, Carolyn Whitzman, Daxton R. Stewart

emayfarris.bsky.social
Emily Farris @emayfarris.bsky.social · 16d
I’m not much for religion but if I were, if a line of clergy flew in to freezing weather to line up and oppose me while singing songs of faith, I might be thinking “are we the baddies?”

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · 16d
In which I have much to say about planners as change agents.
womenurbanismca.bsky.social Women in Urbanism Canada @womenurbanismca.bsky.social · 17d
🏘️ Canada’s #housing crisis is not accidental. It is the result of decades of political choices, market logics, and planning systems failing to centre people, #equity, and #care. 📖 Read "In and Against the System: with Dr. Carolyn Whitzman" @cwhitzman.bsky.social at www.WomenInUrbanism.ca/words.
In and Against the System: with Dr. Carolyn Whitzman Interview Read at www.WomenInUrbanism.ca/words

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

womenurbanismca.bsky.social
Women in Urbanism Canada @womenurbanismca.bsky.social · 17d
🏘️ Canada’s #housing crisis is not accidental. It is the result of decades of political choices, market logics, and planning systems failing to centre people, #equity, and #care. 📖 Read "In and Against the System: with Dr. Carolyn Whitzman" @cwhitzman.bsky.social at www.WomenInUrbanism.ca/words.
In and Against the System: with Dr. Carolyn Whitzman Interview Read at www.WomenInUrbanism.ca/words

Reposted by Cas Mudde, Rebecca Solnit, Steve Peers , and 17 more

aoc.bsky.social
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @aoc.bsky.social · Jan 3
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.

It’s about oil and regime change.

And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.

Reposted by Paul Goldsmith-Pinkham, Brian Keegan, Carolyn Whitzman , and 1 more

jamesgoodwin.bsky.social
James Goodwin @jamesgoodwin.bsky.social · Jan 1
This would be so popular at the national level if centrist Democrats let us use those words in that order
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Jan 1
Mamdani: "The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few"

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Dec 30
Thanks, @glengower.ca
glengower.ca Glen Gower @glengower.ca · Dec 30
"Home Truths" by @cwhitzman.bsky.social should be required reading for every elected official, at any level. A sharp history of housing policy in Canada, plus clear-headed policy solutions.

3/
Book cover of Home Truths

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

glengower.ca
Glen Gower @glengower.ca · Dec 30
"Home Truths" by @cwhitzman.bsky.social should be required reading for every elected official, at any level. A sharp history of housing policy in Canada, plus clear-headed policy solutions.

3/
Book cover of Home Truths

Reposted by Joseph Schafer, Anne Norton, Carolyn Whitzman , and 2 more

billmckibben.bsky.social
Bill McKibben @billmckibben.bsky.social · Nov 26
Landmark move: New York City's comptroller @bradlander.bsky.social, with hundreds of billions under his control, recommends dropping investment giant Blackrock because they won't reckon with climate change.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
NYC’s Lander Recommends Dropping $42 Billion BlackRock Mandate
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is urging three of the city’s pension funds to drop BlackRock Inc. because of “inadequate” climate plans, the latest move to penalize investment firms for failing...
www.bloomberg.com

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

briandoucet.bsky.social
Brian Doucet @briandoucet.bsky.social · Nov 18
Here's the info for the Ottawa screening! I'm looking forward to this event, especially since @cwhitzman.bsky.social & I will talk housing as part of the Q&A discussion after the film!
The event is free & all are welcome

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Nov 12
It’s been a while since I’ve seen an all white male panel like this (not shown: 2 online panelists, 1 moderator - also pale male) but worship of Ed Glaeser is a must as well
Three pale males

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

brenttoderian.bsky.social
Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · Nov 9
This is really important.

The main thing that makes it hard to achieve integrated nature and green in cities isn’t density of buildings or density of people — it's density of cars. And the more well-designed and integrated density of people & buildings you achieve, the fewer cars you need or want.
High density residential street in downtown Vancouver with 5(!) rows of street trees creating “kissing canopies”.

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Nov 4
What the federal budget means for cities this Thursday noon ET - moderated by @canurb.bsky.social featuring @fcm.ca @thehubcanada.bsky.social & @uoftcities.bsky.social (me) us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2025 CityTalk | Live — "There’s the Money! What The Federal Budget Means For City Building". After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about ...
The local impact of national priorities: what the budget really means for Canadian communities. The 2025 federal budget sets the tone for how Canada plans to tackle its biggest challenges — housing, ...
us06web.zoom.us

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

uoftcities.bsky.social
School of Cities @uoftcities.bsky.social · Nov 4
Nov. 9: Join Carolyn Whitzman Senior Housing Researcher, for a talk at Koffler Arts about artist Tracey Snelling’s Intergalactic Planetary exhibition and how they both explore the ways that marginalized communities navigate and shape urban spaces https://ow.ly/ucnx50Xl6mB

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

wryimby.bsky.social
Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard @wryimby.bsky.social · Nov 2
To do this, housing experts @cwhitzman.bsky.social
and Priya Perwani call for the creation of “at least 4.4 million affordable homes" to meet the target of 20 percent of our housing stock being affordable. maytree.com/publications...
Scaling up affordable housing through a ‘Build Canada Homes’ proposal
With a $40B annual investment, "Build Canada Homes" could deliver 200,000 non-market housing units annually – 40% of federal targets – by partnering with non-market developers and retaining government...
maytree.com

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Nov 1
This is a great article - great visuals & great summary of why we need 4 storey apartments with single egress everywhere in North American cities.
lanrickbennett.bsky.social Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · Nov 1
Canada needs livable apartments to help fix the housing crisis. To do that, it must change the rulebook for both condos and rentals
by @theglobeandmail.com’s Erica Alini
h/t @blairscorgie.bsky.social

Cc: @uoftcities.bsky.social @housingnowto.bsky.social @cwhitzman.bsky.social

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

lanrickbennett.bsky.social
Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · Nov 1
Canada needs livable apartments to help fix the housing crisis. To do that, it must change the rulebook for both condos and rentals
by @theglobeandmail.com’s Erica Alini
h/t @blairscorgie.bsky.social

Cc: @uoftcities.bsky.social @housingnowto.bsky.social @cwhitzman.bsky.social

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

aaronwherry.bsky.social
Aaron Wherry @aaronwherry.bsky.social · Oct 28
Yikes.

www.environicsinstitute.org/docs/default...

Reposted by Joseph Schafer, Michael H. Whitworth, Carolyn Whitzman , and 1 more

dieworkwear.bsky.social
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · Oct 26
who creates the lively art and music scenes if the rent is too high? who makes cultural life? who serves you food or washes your dishes? who creates the fancy little restaurants that draw you to urban living? affordable housing is at the heart of what makes city life worthwhile.
I tweet: "people who see 50% of their monthly paycheck go to rent don't care if a candidate eats with their hands. they want to hear what your candidate is going to do about housing." John Galt 2025 replies: "Move if the cost of living is too high."

cwhitzman.bsky.social
Carolyn Whitzman @cwhitzman.bsky.social · Oct 26
Bravo. Toronto - and Canada - need this. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
A dense, urban Canada? It’s possible
A specific, provocative proposal for how Toronto might evolve offers good ideas
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

alexbozikovic.bsky.social
Alex Bozikovic @alexbozikovic.bsky.social · Oct 25
Imagine a city of great apartments where everyone knows their neighbours. The Neptis Foundation has a vision: www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/art-...
A dense, urban Canada? It’s possible
A specific, provocative proposal for how Toronto might evolve offers good ideas
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Carolyn Whitzman

lostarcnz.bsky.social
LostArcNZ @lostarcnz.bsky.social · Oct 12
The solutions proposed for New Zealand's (and virtually every other country's) problems are always like:
"We need to make people work for more years"
"We have to cut back on services, I'm sorry, there is just no other way"
"We have to cut benefits for young people"

never:
"We need to tax the rich"