Turns out my sons taught me more about housing policy than my master’s degree ever did.

Turns out my sons taught me more about housing policy than any job trying to build non-market housing ever did.

So far in my 4 years of fatherhood, I've learned that my sons need routines. If bedtime shifts by even 10mins, chaos reigns. The next morning is a blur of missing socks, oatmeal spills, and an hostage negotiation before 8 a.m.

And honestly… housing policy isn’t that different.
Non-market housing funding also needs a routine.

Last week’s federal budget had no detailed commitments to re-funding National Housing Strategy programs. And this year, like every other year, housing providers are left wondering if the bedtime story continues or if the lights are just… out. You can’t build consistent, stable, Class-B budgeted non-market housing when the money shows up like a surprise guest instead of a reliable calendar event.

Here’s a thought: what if non-market funding had a predictable, recurring date every year. A permanent fixture on the housing sector’s calendar. No matter what. Not an election-year performance. Not an ad-hoc announcement with hard helmets. Just a consistent rhythm. Like brushing your teeth and reading Goodnight Moon before bed.

Because when funding is predictable, projects move forward, communities gather momentum and the housing system, like children, actually thrives.