I have only written the occasional article over the past twenty-four months – twenty-four months working with Anastasia Mourogova-Millin on innovative concepts designed to attract financing-at-scale to invest in urban nature and bio-diversity. Recently we have re-defined our working relationship. I continue to believe in the ideas she is pioneering. However, we are at different stages of our working careers and lives. Partnering in this endeavour became a “job” and I don’t want a “job”. I will continue to support her and the team that she will assemble if and when asked and if I think that I am adding value.
Developing a pool of capital to create and sustain an inventory of housing units for the difficult-to-house – those individuals with:
The goal – to eliminate visible homelessness across Canada, starting in Montreal.
I don’t really know how to build or manage a building. And, I can’t imagine what it takes to care for the difficult-to-house. So, I will need volunteers / collaborators from the real estate sector and from homeless organizations. But I do understand money and will focus my energies on creating the capital pool needed to address this human and urban calamity.
Crazy – maybe. Optimistic objectives – certainly. But “Pessimimism is for Lightweights” , optimism is for the brave.
There is power and strength in optimism
To have faith and to stay true to you
Because if you can look in the mirror
And have belief and promise you
Will share wonder in living things
Beauty, dreams, books and art
Love your neighbour and be kind
And have an open heart. Salena Godden
A headline from the New York Times ! Off the Grid, Extremely Online – August 14, 2024 Am I the only person that thinks this is an oxymoron? How can someone claim to be off the grid and still have a million YouTube followers? A sense of humour may be necessary if you read these […]
I have only written the occasional article over the past twenty-four months – twenty-four months working with Anastasia Mourogova-Millin on innovative concepts designed to attract financing-at-scale to invest in urban nature and bio-diversity. Recently we have re-defined our working relationship. I continue to believe in the ideas she is pioneering. However, we are at different stages […]
Anastasia Mourogova Millin, March 5, 2024 Earth’s urban population will grow by 2.5 billion people over the next 30 years. Over the same time period, urban land expansion put at risk the survival of 855 different species and will threaten the homes of over 30,000 animal and plant species. Add in the impact of climate […]
Co-working space came to mean the notorious We Work model. When I had been asked to opine on co-working I tried to steer the conversation away from the Adam Neumann / Softbank flimflam growth model. Instead, I suggested that property owners look at usage and users. While I doubted We Work’s ability to survive I […]
Before I fall completely into the trap of opposition politics, I have decided to take a break from never-ending criticism and to start suggesting solutions to the affordable housing conundrum. Do I have a plan? No, more a collection of ideas To start with, I think there are three key issues: Home ownership is not […]
I know! I am going to sound like a grumpy old man. Maybe that is because I am. I have been scratching my head in wonderment at the Taylor Swift phenomena. Is she an Incredible song writer, composer, and performer? I really don’t know! A discussion for another time? But probably not. At my age […]