Igor Dragovic

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

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The final recommendations from Canada's housing and climate federal Task Force, known as the Blueprint for More and Better Housing, have been revealed. The task force aims to address Canada's housing crisis and climate issues by proposing solutions for adding new affordable and climate-friendly homes by 2030. Take a look at this information 👇 ✔ Urban density increase is proposed to protect greenfield areas but overlooks the adverse effects of overly high urban densities. ✔ Recommendations include implementing province-wide zoning rules but overlook the importance of green infrastructure. ✔ Housing research suggests the necessity for "missing middle" housing to meet household demands. ✔ Strategies to build affordable housing on municipal land may inadvertently inflate land values without addressing underlying market dynamics. ✔ Suggestions to eliminate height and density restrictions near transit could further inflate land values. ✔ Resolving conflicts may involve establishing both minimum and maximum residential zoning heights and densities and adapting zoning regulations for climate-friendly builds. Efforts to address housing affordability and climate change must consider market dynamics and strike a balance between urban development and green infrastructure. Read more here https://lnkd.in/gd2Q-h2a Real estate investing in Toronto Investment properties in Ontario Ontario real estate trends Ontario real estate agents

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🌍 Urban Innovation Highlight: Unlocking Land and Capital for Affordable Housing: Vancity's Accelerator Program 🏘️ The Vancity Affordable Housing Accelerator Program is a groundbreaking initiative that tackles one of Canada's most pressing urban challenges—housing affordability. By empowering non-profits, co-ops, and Indigenous organizations, the program provides innovative financial solutions to unlock land and capital for climate-ready, affordable housing developments. 🏙️ Addressing Urban Challenges: Canadian municipalities face significant affordability issues, making it increasingly difficult for low-income households to secure safe and affordable housing. The Accelerator Program responds directly to this challenge, focusing on creating community-owned, permanent, affordable rental homes for low- and moderate-income families. Additionally, the program promotes inclusive urbanization and the reduction of cities' environmental impacts by prioritizing climate-ready housing near public transit and community services. 🔑 Innovative Approach: Mobilizes early-stage risk capital to overcome barriers in affordable housing development. Provides flexible, low-cost financing for the high-risk pre-construction phase, ensuring projects receive necessary approvals and construction funding. Combines grants with patient loan capital to enable organizations to advance housing projects from concept to reality. 🚀 Impact So Far: 75+ affordable housing projects financially supported. 5,500+ rental homes preserved and created. $25M in capital mobilized to support housing solutions for vulnerable communities. Projects integrate childcare, community services, and sustainable design, reducing environmental impacts by 20-40% in new homes. This innovative program sets a new standard for how cities can address housing affordability and urban sustainability challenges. It demonstrates how collaborative partnerships between financial institutions, government agencies, and community organizations can unlock public capital and drive sustainable development in our cities. Together, we can create more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities for all. To read the full report, check it out here! https://lnkd.in/gqyNVkzf Vancity Community Foundation, Irene Gannitsos, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada | Logement, Infrastructures et Collectivités Canada, BC Housing, UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) 🌱#AffordableHousing #UrbanChallenges #Innovation #SustainableDevelopment #HousingEquity #CommunityBuilding #UrbanSolutions #SocialImpact #ClimateJustice

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"A new global report finds Ottawa's housing market is 'severely unaffordable' as residents continue to struggle with the high cost of buying a home." The report ranked Ottawa 40th in housing affordability among 94 major markets in eight countries. These findings highlight the chronic housing affordability and supply issues faced by Ottawa's housing market  — a reality our REALTOR® Members understand well from working with homebuyers every day. It's clear that Ottawa is in dire need of more housing. All levels of government need to work cooperatively and take immediate action to increase the supply of rental units, affordable housing, and the much-needed 'missing middle' housing. https://lnkd.in/giHx8Uyj #RealEstate #REALTOR #REALTORS #AffordableHousing #Ottawa #MissingMiddle‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

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Zoning Changes: How Canadian Governments Are Tackling the Housing Crisis As the affordable housing crisis in Canada continues to worsen, governments at all levels are looking for ways to increase the supply of affordable homes. One tool that is gaining attention is zoning reform. By updating zoning regulations to allow for more density and a greater variety of housing types, governments can help to create more affordable housing options in urban areas. The Need for Zoning Reform Many Canadian cities are still governed by zoning regulations that were developed decades ago, when the dominant housing type was the single-family home. These regulations often restrict the development of multi-family housing, such as apartments and townhouses, which can be more affordable than traditional single-family homes. As a result, many cities have a shortage of affordable housing options, particularly in high-demand urban areas. By updating zoning regulations to allow for more density and a greater variety of housing types, governments can help to increase the supply of affordable housing and create more diverse, inclusive neighborhoods. Examples of Zoning Changes One example of zoning reform is the legalization of secondary suites, such as basement apartments and laneway homes. By allowing property owners to create additional housing units within existing buildings, cities can increase the supply of rental housing without significantly altering the character of neighborhoods. Another example is the creation of new zoning categories that allow for more density and mixed-use development. For example, some cities have created "missing middle" zones that allow for the development of duplexes, triplexes, and other types of gentle density housing. These zones can help to create more affordable housing options while maintaining the scale and character of existing neighborhoods. Challenges and Opportunities Of course, zoning reform is not without its challenges. Updating zoning regulations can be a complex and time-consuming process, and there may be resistance from some residents who are concerned about the impact of increased density on their neighborhoods. However, the potential benefits of zoning reform are significant. By creating more affordable housing options and promoting more diverse, inclusive neighborhoods, zoning changes can help to address the housing crisis and improve quality of life for all residents. Looking to the Future As Canadian cities continue to grapple with the affordable housing crisis, zoning reform is likely to play an increasingly important role in creating more affordable housing options. By working together with developers, community organizations, and other stakeholders, governments can create more flexible, responsive zoning regulations that help to meet the changing needs of urban communities. https://lnkd.in/ewkqPqvt

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This article shows just how difficult it will be to meet affordability targets when speculative land values are factored into construction costs. Land trusts and government-owned land will be key to building more deeply affordable housing, and I'm excited to see both eyed by recent development initiatives in Niagara. https://lnkd.in/gqUjMFCp

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🏗️ Is Toronto's approach to housing incentives doomed for failure? Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) is calling for a more robust approach to address the city's housing needs. ✍ Get the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gM4Ryq2H The group says that the city's current proposal, "Expanding Incentives for Purpose-Built Rental Housing", while well-intentioned, is too limited in scope to unlock the potential of Toronto’s stalled housing pipeline. “While the current proposal acknowledges the challenges posed by rising cost to build, it represents a limited solution to a much larger problem. If the city’s own housing projects, built on city land, with federal subsidies cannot proceed without development charge and tax relief, it is no wonder that market units are struggling with costs to build, which is in turn acting as a barrier to adding the housing Toronto requires.” - David Wilkes, BILD President & CEO.

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Check out our article, "Telecommunications Infrastructure: An Understanding and Way Forward in Planning", published in the latest edition of OPPI Y magazine. https://lnkd.in/guziJAhx #Telecommunications #UrbanPlanning #Infrastructure #Connectivity #WirelessNetworks #OPPI #PlanningForTheFuture #5G

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Kudos to Shehryar Khan, MCIP, RPP for an excellent article! 👏 I just finished reading it and was impressed by how thoroughly you covered the unique challenges involved in expanding wireless services—especially when it comes to siting concealed multi-use cell towers in urban areas. Having spent over 25 years in Canadian telecom, mainly focusing on transmission planning and engineering to interconnect cell sites for Telus Mobility, I never had to dive into the complexities of real estate transactions for towers. But after working with you on multiservice projects involving 5G with public EV charging systems, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the challenges you outlined! What struck me most is how vital it is to raise awareness on this issue. Everyone wants faster, more reliable cellular service, but when it comes to building the infrastructure, the NIMBY reflex kicks in. Your article not only highlights these hurdles but also brings much-needed education and practical insights to the conversation. And that rendering of the multi-service installation on the cover? Definitely one of the best I’ve seen. Well done, Shehryar! Your work is helping pave the way for smoother implementations of critical infrastructure. #Telecommunications #UrbanPlanning #Infrastructure #Connectivity #5G #wirelesscommunications #SiteAcquisition #LandDevelopment #REIT

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⚡ Toronto Council Makes Moves to Address Housing Shortage Toronto councillors at a Planning and Housing Committee meeting focused on addressing the city’s housing shortage. They approved updates to the Office Space Needs Study, new guidelines for mid-rise building designs, and a plan to develop Missing Middle housing city-wide. These ongoing efforts aim to provide more housing options in Toronto. Read the full story by Storeys: https://lnkd.in/gpegjGVt Check out realestaterecap.ca for 15-second summaries of the latest real estate news in your area and across Canada. ✅

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It's time to get creative when it comes to affordable housing options. A one-storey mail sorting depot could be repurposed for affordable co-living space for young Canadians. From The Globe and Mail, by Erin Anderssen, Chen Wang, and Rachelle Younglai ⬇ "Near Halifax’s downtown core, a shabby patch of land lounges in the middle of what urban planners call a “super block.” City staff looking for future housing have been coveting this parcel for a decade. It’s close to bus routes, connected to services, and large enough, by their calculations, to contain a cluster of towering apartment buildings, with green space to spare for the 4,000 people who could live in them. Instead, this 14 acres of prime housing real estate hosts a one-storey Canada Post mail sorting depot, and a parking lot of trucks. The city has grown up, busy with new construction, while the block with the post office property languishes like the slacker neighbour who gets in the way while you’re trying to work. This land, Halifax city senior planner Luc Ouellet said, could be vibrant and bustling. 'It’s not performing to its potential.'"

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⚡ Housing Starts Drop Drastically in Ottawa Housing starts in the Ottawa-Gatineau region dropped drastically in October, countering national trends. The decline is attributed to reduced activity in single-detached and multi-family home construction. While other major Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto also saw weakness, Ottawa led the decline. Read the full story by OBJ: https://lnkd.in/gt6FWS29 Check out realestaterecap.ca for 15-second summaries of the latest real estate news in your area and across Canada. ✅

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Canada has recently announced its Housing Plan, which includes these five bold actions aimed at alleviating the country's housing crisis. These actions are as follows: 📍 Launching a Historic Public Lands for Homes Plan which will lease public lands for housing, enabling construction of homes at lower costs and faster pace, while ensuring affordability for Canadians. 📍 Introducing a 10% Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for Apartments will incentivize builders to invest in more housing projects by increasing their after-tax return on investments. 📍 Increasing the annual limit for Canada Mortgage Bonds by $60 billion will enable low-cost financing to be made available for housing. 📍 Providing $15 billion in low-cost loans for the Apartment Construction Loan Program to build a minimum of 30,000 new rental apartments in big cities, small towns, and rural communities alike. 📍Launching Canada Builds, which will leverage the Apartment Construction Loan Program by making it available to provinces and territories that launch their own ambitious housing plans. What is your opinion on these five actions taken by Canada’s Housing Plan? #CanadaHousingPlan #RentalApartments #ConstructionLoans #CanadaBuilds #PublicLands

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Are you a city planner 👷‍♂️ or an economic development organization 🏗 looking to demonstrate the economic impact of a major capital investment in your community? Perhaps you’re a provincial policymaker 🏛 looking to evaluate the impact of a proposed development on the regional economy, jobs and government revenues? 💰 If so, you are familiar with an Economic Impact Analysis, a tool used to estimate the economic impacts of a proposed project, policy or program. 📈 Deetken has been providing economic impact analysis and modelling to local and provincial governments, trade associations and other organizations for nearly 20 years. In that time, we have developed several highly refined economic models and modelling techniques that allow us to measure not just the “direct” economic impacts of a project (GDP, jobs, wages, etc.), but also the “indirect” and “induced” knock-on effects a project can have on other businesses and households within a given jurisdiction, whether that be all of Canada or a specific province. Some examples of the additional knock-on effects we can measure include: 👉 The effects of a development project on other local goods and services such as concrete makers and electricians. 🏗 ⚡ 👉 The effects of a development project on additional spending by employees involved with the project or their suppliers, like a construction worker using their paycheque to buy a new bike 🚲 or take a trip to Whistler. ⛷ Our clients leverage these detailed results to better communicate to their stakeholders and other audiences the full extent of their project's potential benefits to local economies. To learn more about Deetken’s expertise in economic impact analysis or how we can help your organization estimate the economic impact of a planned project in your community, contact us at [email protected]. #economics #economicanalysis #economicimpact  https://lnkd.in/egqxJWHT

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SI Canada's CEO, Andrea Nemtin (M.S.M.) is heading to the screening of “Trainwreck!” (https://trainwreckfilm.ca/) tonight in Hamilton, Ontario. As the film’s trailer makes clear, despite all the benefits of transit-oriented development, it triggers the displacement and exclusion of vulnerable populations, increasing the cost of housing, and reducing the supply of affordable units where we need them most. For the past 18 months, SI Canada has been working with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL), City Of Hamilton Hamilton Community Foundation - Ontario, Canada, Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative (CHEC) Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Hamilton is Home and the Hamilton Community Benefits Network - as well as many others - to identify and co-create innovative solutions that advance the preservation of existing and the creation of new Transit Oriented Affordable Housing. We know from our work together that current transit and housing planning approaches can compound issues of affordability in every city and region in Canada. We need a new, systemic way forward. Equitable transit oriented development seeks to address housing affordability and inclusion as part of the development process. Our collaboration aims to pilot and refine a three pronged strategy: 🧠 Knowledge mobilization and cost-efficient technical support created for and with municipalities, community housing providers and purpose-driven developers; 🤝 A structured engagement process to support collaboration among stakeholders and create an inclusive and integrated housing plan; 💲 Targeted social financing tools to provide community housing providers with timely and affordable financing. Learn about the challenges and barriers to equitable transit and housing development, and our approach to overcoming them: https://lnkd.in/gka5TF53 Addressing the housing crisis requires an all-hands-on-deck approach and all sectors and communities have a role to play. The Hamilton Transit Oriented Affordable Housing Lab is funded by the National Housing Strategy’s Solutions Labs program, administered through CMHC. These labs fuel collaborative innovation by bringing together diverse groups of people to solve complex housing problems, including in-depth research, prototyping and testing of potential solutions. McMaster University LURA Consulting Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) CP Planning FirstOntario Credit Union Good Shepherd Services Haerko Inc Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART) Indwell Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada | Logement, Infrastructures et Collectivités Canada Infrastructure Ontario Meridian Credit Union Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Victoria Park Community Homes West End Home Builders' Association YWCA Hamilton Matthew Green Neil Lumsden

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🏠📢 Have your say on #housing affordability in #Guelph! Today is your last chance to share your feedback on of the actions and initiatives the City of Guelph is considering as part of the Housing Affordability Strategy. Read about the strategy and complete the short survey: https://ow.ly/CErG50U7rik

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