Housing Reset is the place for materials and media coverage related to the ad hoc group of prominent Metro Vancouver based housing professionals and academics with decades of experience in housing policy, urban planning, architecture, urban design, and real estate development. This wide group has joined together to broaden the search for enduring housing solutions.
While the primary focus is on Vancouver, the comments and ideas are also applicable to cities across Canada struggling with similar affordability issues.
The three letters are similar in content, but are distinct depending on which of the three levels of government they are directed to. They share a consistent message: The current housing crisis demands a reset in how we use public policy to achieve housing affordability. The 2025 market correction presents an opportunity—not a threat.
Governments should not bail out speculative development models. Instead, this is the moment to invest in non-market housing, preserve existing affordability, ensure that public subsidies serve long-term public outcomes.
The three letters are signed variously by the housing professionals listed below, in alphabetical order.
Letters sent to date are available on this website here.
- Advancing housing affordability through bold, evidence-based policy in Canada: 27 experts call for public policy reset in letter to PM Carney and Federal Housing Minister Robertson (22-Jul-2025) – Link here.
- Advancing housing affordability through bold, evidence-based policy in B.C.: 27 urbanists call for public policy reset in letter to B.C. Premier David Eby and Housing Minister Christine Boyle (14-Aug-2025) – Link here.
- More coming
Hashtags for social media include the following
- #HousingReset
- #HousingResetCanada
- #HousingResetBC
- #HousingResetVancouver
For media inquiries or to otherwise contact the group please e-mail Penny Gurstein (penny.gurstein@ubc.ca).
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Larry Beasley, CM, FCIP, Former Co-chief Planner of Vancouver, author Vancouverism
Lance Berelowitz, AA Dipl RPP MCIP, Principal Urban Forum Associates
Patrick Condon, Professor UBC School of Landscape and Architecture, author Broken City. Former head city planner,
Christina DeMarco, Urban and Regional Planner, former lead planner for the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy
Frank Ducote, Principal, Frank Ducote Urban Design, former Senior Urban Designer, City of Vancouver
Michael Geller, FCIP, RPP, MLAI, Ret Architect AIBC, urban planner, real estate consultant, developer and Adjunct Professor, SFU
Barbara Gordon, Retired Architect AIBC and retired Director of Capital Planning, UBC
Penny Gurstein, PhD, MCIP (ret.) Professor Emeritus and Former Director, School of Community and Regional Planning, Co-Director, Housing Research Collaborative, UBC
Scot Hein, Retired Architect MAIBC/Former COV and UBC Senior Urban Designer and Development Planner/Adjunct Professor Urban Design UBC/SFU Faculty Continuing Studies/Founding Board Member Urbanarium/Board Member Small Housing BC/Housing Advocate
Norman Hotson, Retired Architect AIBC, FRAIC, RCA, HonPIBC
Sandy James, former City of Vancouver City Planner, Managing Director Walk Metro Vancouver
David Ley, OC, FRSC, PhD, Urban Geographer, Professor Emeritus UBC, Order of Canada.
Bill McCreery, former registered architect AIBC & AAA, helped create North & South False Creek & thousands of units of developer, public & social housing in BC, Alberta & UK, developed several Vancouver residential projects
Sean McEwen, Architect, AIBC, FRAIC. Affordable housing advocate
Graham McGarva, FRAIC, Retired Architect AIBC, M.A.
Elizabeth Murphy, private sector project manager formerly with the City of Vancouver’s housing and properties department, BC Housing and BC Buildings Corp
Brian Palmquist, Award winning architect and author, AIBC MRAIC BEP CP LEED AP
Tom Phipps, Retired Senior Planner City of Vancouver (33 years)
Mary Pynenburg MRAIC (Retired) MCIP (Retired) Former Director of Planning City of New Westminster, Former Director of Planning and Development City of Kelowna, former Director of Design / Development CP Hotels
Robert Renger, BES, MCP; Consultant City Planner; Former Senior Development Planner and City’s lead for UniverCity at SFU, City of Burnaby
Mary Beth Rondeau, Ret Architect AIBC Former Urban Designer City of Vancouver
Ralph Segal, MAIBC (ret.) Former Chief Urban Designer, City of Vancouver
Ray Spaxman, ARIBA (Rtd), MRTPI (Rtd,) FCIP, Hon AIBC, LL.D, Director of Planning, City of Vancouver, 1973 to 1989
Sara Stevens, PhD, Associate Professor UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Chair of Urban Design, Co-founder of Architects Against Housing Alienation
Erick Villagomez, Lecturer UBC School of Community and Regional Planning, Principal, Mētis Design|Build, Editor-in-Chief, Spacing Vancouver
Arny Wise, B. Comm., M.Sc., RPP, MCIP (ret), urban planner/ retired developer (President, Synergy Develop., VP Development, Goldfan Holdings), Board of Directors Toronto Economic Development Corporation (1990-1999)
David Wong, Architect, AIBC; formerly with Engineering & Planning Dept. City of Vancouver
Elvin Wyly, Urban Geographer, Housing Researcher
Andy Yan, FCIP, RPP, GISPDirector, City Program, Lifelong Learning and Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Urban Studies Program, Simon Fraser University
Housing Reset 