un/SHELTERED
The West End Phoenix and Maytree are launching a design competition.
un/SHELTERED: Toronto Design Challenge is seeking imaginative, innovative designs for people who are homeless and unsheltered.
Submission deadline: September 30
In Toronto, approximately 1,000 people are unsheltered, which means they are living outside—in encampments, ravines, doorways and bus stops. Clearly, our housing systems are not working. Our emergency shelter system is not working. We need new ideas and new solutions, and built-form designs to accommodate the people in our city who have the most urgent needs. This is NOT your usual design challenge. We are seeking solutions that are practical and feasible. Most importantly, we are seeking designs that honour every person’s inherent human dignity—their fundamental human right to adequate housing.
Here's what you need to know:
This challenge isn’t necessarily intended to address the city’s overall affordable housing needs. Instead, we’re asking entrants to think creatively—but practically—to develop an immediate, humanitarian response for people who are unhoused.
The competition is open to everyone.
We will award up to $10,000 in prize money.