Send me to Summit! Report: Sustainable housing is no longer optional

For this challenge, I created a sustainable housing trend report, as I believe that this issue is now more important than ever. Sustainable housing trends are growing quickly and shifting in a meaningful way, but more work is needed to make these practices more accessible across the non-profit housing sector.

There’s a stronger focus now on building homes that last, reducing energy use in practical ways, and creating housing that truly supports the people and communities who live there. Working in the Indigenous non-profit housing sector, I see how important that shift is every day. Sustainable housing is not just about materials or design choices. It is about long-term planning and responsibility. The work we do is rooted in thinking beyond immediate needs and toward the wellbeing of future generations.

In my role, that shows up in conversations about how to balance upfront costs with long-term sustainability, how to design housing that supports health and cultural connection, and how to ensure communities are not facing higher operating costs down the road. It also means thinking about resilience, making sure homes can adapt to changing environmental conditions while continuing to serve the people who rely on them.

Sustainable housing, when done right, supports healthier living environments, reduces financial pressure on non-profits over time, and contributes to stronger, more stable communities. The conversation is becoming less about whether we should build this way and more about how we do it well and at scale. That feels like an important shift, especially for those of us working in community-focused housing.

I would love the opportunity to attend this year's Summit!!