The Pivot

Envisioning the future of affordable housing in Edmonton

Pivot

1. Noun
The most important thing which everything else is based on or arranged around
Synonyms: hub, centre, heart, hinge

2. Verb
Balance or turn on a central point

The Pivot is a 2-year research and innovation program that will identify, develop, and evaluate innovations in affordable housing that can assist in expanding the supply, diversity and accessibility of safe, adequate, and affordable housing choices in Edmonton.

The Pivot is based on two key understandings:

  • First: safe, adequate, and suitable housing is pivotal to a healthy and vibrant city; it is central to the flourishing of individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities.
  • Second: ensuring an accessible, adequate, and diverse supply of affordable housing hinges upon innovations in housing design, planning, policy and financing.

The Pivot will holistically examine the local housing system, engage the broader community in conversations about innovations in affordable housing, and convene research and innovation teams who will work collaboratively to prototype and evaluate affordable housing innovations.

Making the pivot

Work will be undertaken by diverse teams composed of individuals who share an interest in affordable housing, bring a unique set of expertise and perspectives, and can commit to 1-year of collaboration. Our goal is to form diverse teams whose membership could include persons with lived expertise of housing need, professionals working within social housing organizations and/or housing programs, urban planners, academics, and researchers engaged in housing or housing related research, housing developers, and/or housing advocates.

Each team will form around a project designed to address either a concrete shared challenge or a promising, untested practice. Team members will fulfill one of two roles: project advisors or co-researchers/co-designers.

Advisors provide on-going feedback and advice on activities carried out under a specific action area, including but not limited to systematic reviews, innovation prototypes, and innovation evaluations. Responsibilities include:

  • attending regular monthly meetings throughout the year,
  • providing ongoing, well-informed feedback to their co-researchers/co-designers throughout the research process,
  • and reviewing draft reports.

Time commitment: 48-60 hours/year or up to 5 hours/month.

Co-researchers/co-designers, in collaboration with others, coordinates and implements activities carried out under a specific action area, including but not limited to systematic reviews, innovation prototypes, and innovation evaluations. Responsibilities include:

  • co-designing research questions,
  • co-identifying data sources and gaps,
  • co-creating research designs and equitable approaches,
  • integrating feedback from advisors,
  • and knowledge dissemination.

Time commitment: 100-120 hours/year or up to one 8-hour work day/month.

Each group will be supported by part-time research assistants and coaches. Research assistants will provide research support. Coaches will provide administration and coordination support.