Professional Undermining: Homelessness and Service as Method

Abstract

The present thesis investigates homelessness and architectural practice. This thesis argues that homelessness defies deterministic solutions to housing and underscores the importance of non-market-based solutions for housing and homelessness action. Despite this, housing solves homelessness. This thesis follows practice-led work completed by the author between November 2021 and November 2022. The design projects collected in this thesis were completed while volunteering as a builder within a community association supporting people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and barriers to housing at a low-barrier supported housing facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This thesis raises questions about the ethics of practice, social responsibility, and the architects systemic role in reinforcing property ownership and housing as commodity.