Social Innovation Canada

This year, SI Canada worked with CMHC, the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Community Foundation, the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Hamilton is Home, the Hamilton Community Benefits Network and other local partners to identify and co-create innovative solutions that advance the preservation of existing and the creation of new Transit Oriented Affordable Housing. 🏠The Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing (TOAH) Lab brought together stakeholders from across sectors to co-develop solutions that connect housing with transit investments in the City of Hamilton. These efforts also aim to guide the development of similar projects in other municipalities across Canada. The Lab identified key barriers to ensuring fairer development along transit corridors: ➡️ Rising acquisition costs driven by speculation and increased demand make it impossible for the community housing sector to compete. ➡️ Misaligned housing and transit policies, reactive planning and zoning requirements prioritize “highest and best use” land sales over equity. ➡️ Community housing providers face significant financing barriers, including limited access to pre-development funds and acquisition capital.  ➡️ Current transit strategies are not oriented to non-market housing. There are no federal or provincial incentives to support non-market housing in transit development. ✅To address these challenges, the Lab proposed solution areas (levers of change): ➡️ Acquisition of housing for non-market use along transit corridors  ➡️ Inclusive Transit Oriented Communities  ➡️ Access to flexible, efficient, and affordable capital Collaboration was key to this initiative. The Lab engaged a diversity of inputs including perspectives from people who have experienced inequities firsthand. Read the Final Lab Report to learn more about these barriers and solution areas. https://lnkd.in/eDhVvSiu #HousingSolutions #AffordableHousing #SocInn #HamiltonTOAH #TransitOrientedDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #EquitableDevelopment #UrbanDevelopment #InclusiveDevelopment Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.) Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL)

What’s next for social innovation labs? How do they drive systems change and address complex challenges? The Future of Labs Final Report explores these questions, capturing key learnings from the 2024 Future of Labs convening. This gathering brought together practitioners from across the field to explore critical topics: defining what labs are, how they contribute to social change, what the future holds and how we can evolve as practitioners to strengthen the ecosystem. Produced in collaboration with Action Lab and a diverse group of experienced social innovation practitioners, the Report offers recommendations, next steps and questions to consider as we look ahead to the next ten years of social innovation labs. Why does this matter? All sectors are under immense stress, leaders are dealing with polarization, transitions, and a tendency to rely on solutions when addressing complex challenges. Labs have shown progress in helping tackle systems change, but gaps remain in methods, practices and impact. This Report sheds light on these gaps and provides recommendations for evolving lab practices, fostering collaboration and insights needed to support the field. Thank you to the Action Lab team and all the delegates who helped shape this insightful resource! Read the report 👉 https://lnkd.in/dzVfPPWX Ben Weinlick Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.) Geraldine Cahill Diane Roussin BA, BSW, M.S.M. 🦦 Patrick Dubé Rebecca Rubuliak Paige Reeves Mark Cabaj Marlieke Kieboom Alex Ryan Timothy Draimin Aleeya Velji Darcy Riddell Keren Perla #SocInn #DesignThinking #FutureofLabs #SocialInnovation  

Transit-oriented development (TOD) aims to create vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhoods connected to jobs, healthcare, childcare and education. However, in communities across Canada, it is causing the displacement of residents and reducing the availability of affordable homes in areas where they are critically needed. A recent report by The Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative (CHEC) at McMaster University details the growing evidence of increased land values, housing prices and gentrification related to transit-oriented development. For the past 18 months, SI Canada has been working in collaboration with partners in Hamilton to develop a new, fairer approach to transit-oriented development. The Hamilton Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Lab’s Roadmap Report shares key research and strategies to address these challenges. It advocates for a national initiative that can work with municipalities and regions to: ➡️ Build an inventory of best approaches to transit-oriented development; ➡️ Provide a structured engagement process to creating inclusive and integrated housing and infrastructure plans that can be financed and delivered quickly and effectively; ➡️ Create a Social Finance structure to provide the needed investment. Read the full Roadmap Report to learn how this initiative will help ensure transit-oriented development creates opportunities for everyone ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ewuhyh_T #HousingSolutions #UrbanPlanning #AffordableHousing #SocInn #HamiltonTOAH #TransitOrientedDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #EquitableDevelopment #UrbanDevelopment #InclusiveDevelopment City Of Hamilton Hamilton Community Foundation - Ontario, Canada, Hamilton Community Benefits Network, Hamilton is Home, West End Home Builders' Association Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL), Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Urban Transit Alliance, CP Planning Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.)

Learn more about a new funding opportunity through the Refugee Livelihood Lab! If you are building a project that embeds equity and inclusion and creates meaningful change for migrant communities, we would love to find ways to support you through this grant program. Join us for a virtual Info Session with our team to learn more about what we’re offering, the types of initiatives we aim to support, and how to access support through the application process. Looking for more support? We’re also offering virtual open office hours and individual application support with Alia Sunderji, the Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mentor at RADIUS! Register today: https://bit.ly/41o9I5s

Our CEO Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.) is excited to attend this year’s State of Canadian Cities Summit in Ottawa, where leaders from across the country will address the critical challenges facing our cities and communities. The focus on infrastructure and thriving communities aligns closely with our work in the Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing (TOAH) Lab. In collaboration with CMHC, the City of Hamilton, and local community housing organizations, the Lab developed solutions that preserve and create affordable housing near transit corridors, addressing the negative impacts of transit development on Canada’s housing crisis. Key insights from the Lab emphasized that equity must be central to transit and housing planning. Equitable TOD prioritizes affordable housing near transit corridors, addressing affordability, systemic inequities and community needs, while fostering sustainable, inclusive neighbourhoods. Investing in equitable supports communities, reduces traffic, lowers emissions and cuts transportation costs delivering lasting social and environmental benefits. Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/gxUY-YUb #SocInn #CommunityDevelopment #TransitOrientedDevelopment #Infrastructure Canadian Urban Institute

Canada has set an ambitious goal of achieving a 100% net zero electricity system by 2035. Currently, however, only 17% of our primary energy supply comes from renewable sources. To bridge this gap, we need innovative solutions that make clean, affordable energy accessible and reliable. To energize Canada’s power system sustainably, Foresight Canada’s powerNEXT ecosystem is connecting #cleantech innovators with top industry leaders to accelerate the transition to renewable, clean power. Their sector-specific acceleration program offers six industry sessions, an industry pitch day, and 15 hours of 1:1 EIR support. By connecting #power technology companies with essential training, resources, and mentorship, powerNEXT is enabling ventures to transform Canada’s energy landscape and spark meaningful change. Spaces are limited—apply now: https://lnkd.in/e2AjUCHk

Exciting news for city builders across Canada! The State of Canada’s Cities Summit will be available via livestream on December 5. Join the conversation from anywhere at no cost and explore why Infrastructure Matters through insightful panels and inspiring keynotes. Don't miss the chance to hear from the preeminent urban leaders and changemakers shaping the future of Canadian cities. Register now to secure virtual access: https://buff.ly/4eT73Vq

Collaborative social finance models, such as blended capital funds, are key to advancing funding solutions for sustainable, resilient and affordable urban development. These models can help communities address critical housing, transit and infrastructure needs. Tomorrow, at the Sustainable Finance Forum, our CEO Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.), will lead a conversation titled Canada’s cities can address the housing and climate crises through innovative solutions: Blended capital approaches to financing vibrant, adaptive, green, and affordable urban communities. This panel will gather leaders from finance, government, and public-private partnerships to discuss innovative models for financing cities that are resilient, sustainable, and affordable. Learn more about our work in the Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Lab https://lnkd.in/gxUY-YUb #Socinn #AffordableHousing #TOD #SustainableFinance #SocialFinance  #CdnPoli  #FinanceLeaders #EnvironmentalImpact #FinanceForGood #ImpactInvesting #SustainableFinanceForum2024 #SFF2024Ottawa #CollaborativeInnovation

Join BlackTech Capital on December 4, 2024 from 3-4pm EST for the release of The Climate Investment Guide: How Collaborative Capital Wins in Climate Tech. Discover why collaborative investing is transforming the climate tech landscape: -Network effects and ecosystem advantages -Opportunities in overlooked markets -Strategic capital deployment -Non-dilutive support frameworks Designed for impact investors, the Climate Investment Guide is a practical approach to early-stage climate investment through a systems lens. Learn more and register today! https://lu.ma/622m030o #ImpactInvesting #SocInn #ClimateTech 

In support of our Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing (TOAH) Lab, research by the Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative has revealed critical gaps between housing and transit infrastructure policies—such as misaligned zoning and rising acquisition costs for community housing providers. It also finds that community housing providers face significant financing barriers, and current transit strategies fail to prioritize non-market housing, despite goals of affordability and inclusivity. Drawing insights from U.S. cities like Austin and Denver, SI Canada worked with the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Community Foundation, community housing providers and other stakeholders to  develop a scalable, innovative approach to transit oriented development that  addresses these challenges and ensures the preservation and creation of equitable, affordable housing near transit corridors. How might other communities implement similar strategies in your community to enhance access to affordable housing? Read the report by Canadian Housing and Evidence Collaborative to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYJFcwHR #HousingSolutions #UrbanPlanning #AffordableHousing #SocInn #HamiltonTOAH #TransitOrientedDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #EquitableDevelopment #UrbanDevelopment #InclusiveDevelopment