Despite the current need for solutions, putting a dent in the demand for affordable housing is not unchartered territory. As long as there have been Calgarians priced out of the market, there have been innovative solutions to help bring them back into the fold. The most successful of those initiatives have relied on innovation to help achieve long-term goals. Whether it is co-operative ownership that has dozens of people paying one mortgage, or private donations from the real estate industry to build the housing it will never profit from, these success stories were unconventional when they welcomed their first tenant. They tell of creative ways to fund affordable housing, methods to integrate residents into the larger community, and ways to support them to break the cycle of poverty. The Highbanks Society’s formula for getting young single moms and their kids off to a positive start begins with putting a roof over their heads but really gels by combining affordable housing with peer support and education. Families can stay for up to two years while the moms improve their education and brush up on life skills to help them break the cycle of poverty. Bow view also functions as a community hub. Having other single moms as neighbors reduces isolation, and Highbanks organizes group events for peer support and professional advice.