Gingerbread House Listing Highlights Growing Housing Crisis in Canada

The cost of housing in Toronto is through the roof; home prices have climbed almost 30% in the last four years, making home ownership virtually impossible for many. In fact, just recently, Toronto placed 7th on the 2023 UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index, with the average Ontarian needing to save for almost 20 years to make a down payment on a home. And during the holiday season, this out-of-reach housing market hits particularly…home.

So, this holiday season, FUSE Create isn’t making a holiday card but instead, raising awareness – and funds – for exactly this problem with the 'Gingerbread House-ing Crisis.' The indie agency built a 1:1 scale model of a typical Toronto home, built entirely of gingerbread. This 'home', measuring 1 sq. ft. in total area, is listed on real estate sites for exactly $1,000; the average price of one-square-foot of Toronto real estate.

“Gingerbread houses connote feelings of warmth and comfort – something a lot of people are struggling to find in this city’s housing market,” says Linda Carte, creative director at FUSE Create. “Taking such a well-known holiday symbol and using it to illustrate the reality of 2023 is a stark commentary on where this city and country are struggling. We want to support the innovation that Mainstay Housing is incubating for future homeowners.”

The house is currently listed on Kijiji and FC Realty’s business pages. The agency is encouraging visitors to donate to Mainstay Housing, a non-profit agency committed to building affordable, stable, and inclusive communities. FUSE Create has also made a donation of $1,000 to support the initiative.