Logan, 21, and David, 26, live in the van home Logan built. Logan converted the van after meeting many others who lived in vans when she lived in Banff. She realized in the current housing market in Southern Ontario, she would not be able to afford property and did not want to pay rent.
A Place to Call Home is a personal photo project I started after meeting many people during my travels who were living alternative lifestyles and thriving. When I got back home to Toronto, I found that local costs of living were rising to the point of being unsustainable - thus the idea for this project was born. The photo essay follows the lives of a variety of individuals in Ontario whose lifestyles are affected by the rising costs of housing – and documents how they adapt to living in mobile homes in Canadian climates without showers, flushing toilets or a permanent address
The photos are currently running as a series in Toronto Life Magazine.
Max, 26, gets ready for his job during the morning in his van home parked downtown in Toronto. Originally from Germany, his dream is to see Canada.
Heather and Curtis in their van home, normally parked in Orillia.
Madison, 30, and Raynor, 34, share a moment in their van home. The 400cmx 180 cm of living space that is their home functions as a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and office. They plan to live out of their van indefinitely to cut their costs of living and have sold their properties to choose a simpler life.
Jamieson in his van home in Barrie. Jamieson is currently earning a degree in his second career and did not want to carry debt in order to do his studies. He moved into his van home while working part-time so that he would not have to pay for rent. He woke up with ice all over his face and beard during his first week living in his van in January.