Small Houses! Big Problems?

Lane way housing is a great way to intensify the urban fabric and it has recently become a outlet for innovative housing designs in many large cities around the world. Lane way housing is an practical, affordable and sustainable option that allows more people to enjoy the benefits of city living. However, it also presents a number of inherit challenges, such as restricted spaces, that force designers to be creative and calculated in their designs. Often these circumstances produce some fantastic architecture which people get to live in but this is not always the case.

Lane way housing housing actually has very humble roots that originate in the community of the working poor. Historically cities like Toronto have had a large population of recent immigrants that have come to Canada with very little money. These people come to Canada and need a place to stay. They often found shelter by renting converted out buildings or other makeshift housing in lane ways. In todays society where there is an increasing polarization of the classes and a large number of working poor there is still a huge demand for affordable housing in major cities around the world.

In a short walk around Toronto we found a number of makeshift residences crammed into lane ways and it makes you think about not only the problem of homelessness in the city but also the unfortunate living conditions of many of the cities working poor. Behind the tapestry of many beautiful row houses in Toronto is an entire city that few of us know about and if few give much thought. Maybe it's time we start thinking.

Jordan Matchett