Barry Pinsky Wins International Research and Global Exchange Award

(Washington, D.C. —November 18, 2020) – Barry Pinsky, Executive Director of Rooftops Canada, was named the 2020 recipient of the International Research and Global Exchange Award by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). An award presentation will be held during NAHRO’s Online National Conference.           

Pinksy has spent more than 30 years working in all aspects of low-income development in both North America and Africa. He’s a trained architect and urban planner and is one of the pioneers of the cooperative housing movement in Canada. As executive director of Rooftops Canada – Abri International, he helped mobilize over $40 million to support overseas housing groups in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. This has leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in in housing activity, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.  

“Barry’s impact on affordable housing development can be felt around the world,” NAHRO CEO Adrianne Todman said. “His forward thinking to promote social housing and urban regeneration in Africa is helping transform the international community.”  

Pinsky is well-known for his international role, receiving honors such as the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) International Award, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Housing, and he was named a “Wisdom Keeper” by the Habitat International Coalition. He’s also assisted in organizing civil society participation in Habitat II and was an active facilitator in official Canadian delegations to UN Habitat Governing Councils, UNGASS, World Urban Forums and Habitat III. Pinksy’s presentations on human settlement issues have been viewed at numerous workshops and conferences across the globe.