This year at Smallworks, we’ve been fortunate to witness the fruition of our efforts in tangible and heartwarming ways. We’ve gotten eighteen families into their new homes – each successful project strengthening our belief in the potential and necessity of alternative housing solutions.

Our internal growth has been equally rewarding this year as our Smallworks family has celebrated many of life’s milestones.

A highlight of this year has been seeing a decade of Smallworks’ advocacy work come to fruition. The recent Provincial housing proposal would allow us to start producing more homes on a property and this move towards gentle density is a tremendous opportunity to play a positive role in providing much-needed housing solutions. 

Resolving this struggle is a driving force behind our commitment to change and we’re hoping that with these new legislative changes, we can continue to help grow our neighbourhoods in a modest but meaningful way. Here, ‘meaningful’ is synonymous with attainability, a core value that drives our mission.

A personal story that resonates deeply with me, and perhaps with many of you, is my daughter’s move out of the city due to the high cost of living. Many of our team members too  feel the growing concern of housing security and affordability.

These concerns underscore the importance of our work at Smallworks. Whether it’s family, staff, or simply the people that make our communities so vibrant that we want to keep close, Smallworks is committed to the approach of gentle density. Gentle density is the sensitive approach to keep our communities strong and flourishing. 

But in the immediate term, one thing we’ve decided to do in 2024 is to start donating to World Housing.

With every home we build to support the housing needs of families in our community, we pledge to contribute to safe, sustainable housing for families in need worldwide. This initiative allows us to extend our impact beyond our local community, offering families globally the security and opportunity to build meaningful futures.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to transforming lives through thoughtful design and compassionate action. Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year! 

Warm regards,

Jake Fry

Founder, Smallworks Studios and Laneway Housing Inc.