2405 Pine St., Vancouver, B.C./ Google Maps August 2024

Underutilized, government-owned land in some of Canada’s largest cities could be redeveloped to house over one million Canadians, according to a new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC). 

The research highlights the potential for public lands to play a significant role in addressing the country’s ongoing affordable housing crisis, examining land owned by federal, provincial and municipal governments in the Toronto area and five other cities. 

The More Housing Here study gives an example of underused sites like the post office building at 2405 Pine Street in Vancouver, which currently hosts a three-story structure. The study notes that similar parcels along Vancouver’s Broadway corridor are being redeveloped into 30-story buildings, demonstrating the untapped potential of public land.

A path to affordable housing

Many of these government-owned sites are already well-served by essential infrastructure such as public transit, schools and parks, making them ideal for housing development. Utilizing these lands could significantly reduce construction costs, as land acquisition—which typically accounts for up to 30 per cent of construction expenses—would not be necessary.

“By using public land for housing development, parcels already in the public trust could remove nearly one-third of housing construction costs from the equation entirely,” the researchers explain. Additionally, using public land could streamline zoning and planning processes, speeding up development timelines.

Unlocking potential across Canada

The study finds that the Toronto area (including Hamilton) could accommodate approximately 587,000 new residents, while Ottawa and Calgary could each house 200,000 and 89,000 people, respectively. Overall, the redevelopment of identified public lands could provide housing for over one million Canadians.

Priority should be given to larger, well-connected sites and not all publicly owned land is suitable for development: “While cities like Ottawa, Hamilton, and Calgary have a large number of sites, most of these are not feasible for development, as they are located outside the core of the city and would largely involve greenfield developments. In contrast, Toronto has the highest number of developable sites, highlighting its potential to help address housing shortages.,” the study states.

Despite fewer developable sites in Ottawa and Hamilton, these cities still offer strong potential due to the larger size of available parcels.

A proven strategy 

The report highlights the success of the federal government’s land initiative, which has provided land at no cost to organizations focused on building affordable housing. The cost of land has risen nearly three times faster than construction costs in Vancouver, researchers note, and many communities across the country are facing land prices significantly higher than a decade ago.

“The study highlights the untapped housing potential of government-owned lands, focusing on areas already well-served by existing infrastructure for more efficient and cost-effective development,” researchers conclude. “This approach helps address a significant portion of Canada’s housing shortage while minimizing the need for extensive public investment in new infrastructure.”

Homeownership is becoming a pipe dream for most Canadians, according to a new survey released by Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Four in five Canadians now say that buying a home feels like a luxury, while 88 per cent of renters say the goal of owning a home in Canada has become out of reach. 

The organization’s third annual affordable housing survey looked at the broader implications of Canada’s housing crisis. An overwhelming 82 per cent of Canadians voiced deep concern over how the housing crisis is impacting health and well-being, while 78 per cent see homeownership as a critical factor in the country’s growing wealth gap. The findings show a clear, collective anxiety across generations, with younger Canadians bearing the brunt of housing-related challenges.

“Canadians are sending a clear message: the housing crisis is no longer just about housing,” says Pedro Barata, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

The shrinking middle class 

Survey data reveals concern that the scarcity of affordable housing is fragmenting communities and threatening the middle class, with 82 per cent of respondents worried about a potential decline in this socioeconomic group. 

Over half of Canadians report worrying about sacrificing essentials like food, education and living expenses to cover their housing costs. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of respondents say the stress alone of not being able to buy a home is difficult for them to manage.

Younger generations forced to rethink milestones

Canada’s housing crisis is causing younger generations to rethink life plans. Two-thirds of Gen Z Canadians and almost half of Millennials have considered delaying starting a family because they can’t afford a suitable home, while four in ten say they have fewer job opportunities because they had to move to a more affordable area. 

A notable percentage (29 per cent of Millennials and 25 per cent of Gen Z) say they would consider moving abroad to find affordable housing. The survey also reveals that 73 per cent of Gen Z respondents are anxious about saving enough for a down payment.

Barata emphasizes that young Canadians rethinking or delaying major life decisions could lead to “a deep and lasting impact on future generations and society as a whole.”

Despite the mounting challenges, Canadians overwhelmingly support the idea of homeownership, with 87 per cent believing it offers stability, and 81 per cent seeing it as a way to build a better future for their children.

Calls for action

As Canada’s housing crisis grows, the survey reveals a clear demand for political action. Seventy-five percent of Canadians believe that housing policy should transcend political divides, urging a unified approach to the crisis. However, 68 per cent are skeptical that the federal government will reach its goal of building 3.87 million new homes by 2031. 

Canadians want policy initiatives that reduce taxes and fees for first-time buyers, promote affordable homeownership and convert unused spaces into housing.

“Homeownership can’t just be the privilege of the wealthy or lucky few,” says Barata. “At Habitat we see the transformational change that happens when families own their own home, affordably. The security and peace of mind benefit their health, economic opportunities and investments in their community. It benefits all of us.”

There’s a clear divide among Saskatchewan renters as the province heads into its upcoming election, a recent Rentals.ca survey found. It shows renters’ housing issue concerns and how those concerns might influence voting decisions.

Nearly 88% of Sask. renters don’t feel there’s enough affordable housing where they are

The survey found that 78 per cent of respondents see high rental prices as the most pressing issue in the current market, and that 87.6 per cent believe there aren’t enough affordable housing options in their area.

Supported political policies and parties

When it comes to key policy areas candidates should focus on, nearly half of respondents said affordable housing options for low-income renters are a priority, while 19.5 per cent support rent control policies.

On top of this, over 60.0 per cent also stated that rental housing policies will be a very important consideration in who they vote for in the election.

Support for the two leading parties, the Saskatchewan Party and the New Democratic Party, was about 30.0 per cent each, while nearly as many renters indicated they don’t plan on voting.

“It’s refreshing to see that renters are split, considering the NDP’s platform has promised protections for renters via rent control or rent increase caps,” notes Max Steinman, CEO of Rentals.ca.

“It shows that Saskatchewan residents have a balanced understanding of the potentially harmful impacts that rent control has in the long-term to overall housing supply and investment and upkeep in housing stock.”

Review the full survey findings here.

In today’s pricey Toronto real estate market, buying a home can feel like an impossible dream. So for those who love city life but want to build equity, “rentvesting” is a strategy worth considering.

Rentvesting involves purchasing a more affordable property in another city and renting it out for income while continuing to live as a tenant in a preferred city like Toronto. Over time, the rental income and property appreciation help build equity, which can be used for a down payment on a home in Toronto down the road.

Zoocasa looked into the top cities most Torontonians could afford to buy and where investments could likely turn a profit.

Best cities for Torontonians to rentvest in a condominium

To determine the best cities for Torontonians to rentvest, the study analyzed the maximum mortgage amount affordable ($275,402) on an average Toronto income ($62,050), then compared condominium prices and rents across Canada.

Torontonians could make profitable investments in several cities, including Edmonton ($163,452) and Regina ($183,630), where average condominium prices fall well within this range. 

The study notes that Etobicoke is home to the highest average annual income of the six GTA cities analyzed and, as a result, those residents can afford the largest mortgage amount ($307,137). On average, they’re a few hundred dollars short of affording a condominium in Brantford Region and Windsor-Essex, or potentially in Oshawa (which has an average price of $420,575 and a total mortgage amount of $336,460). 

Profitable Investments. In cities like Edmonton, investors can earn substantial monthly profits. With average rents at $1,553 and mortgage payments at $886, the potential for monthly gains is $667. Calgary is another great option, with potential gains of $474 per month due to the difference between rent ($1,954) and mortgage payments ($1,480).

Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax-Dartmouth also offer opportunities for positive monthly cash flow, making them attractive for rentvesting.

Is rentvesting right for your clients?

Before diving into rentvesting, it’s crucial your clients understand what comes with it:

Higher down payments and stricter criteria. Investment property mortgages typically require at least a 20 per cent down payment and have more stringent credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements compared to traditional mortgages.

Tax implications and benefits. While the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) cannot be used to purchase investment properties, there are potential tax benefits. Investors can often deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs from their rental income.

Management responsibilities. Owning a rental property comes with the responsibility of managing tenants, complying with local regulations and handling unexpected repairs. It’s important to factor in these duties when considering rentvesting.

For those willing to think creatively and take a strategic approach, rentvesting offers a pathway to achieving homeownership dreams in Toronto while building a solid financial foundation through real estate investments.

Canada faces a significant challenge in its rental housing crisis due to a lack of new affordable units being built. Despite efforts through the National Housing Strategy’s five programs, only 17,000 units were delivered over four years, barely improving Ottawa’s track record from the past 30 years. For instance, between 1996 and 2013, provincial and federal governments provided less than 7,000 new units.

On the other hand, between 1987 and 2021, the United States constructed 3.5 million subsidized rental units. Adjusted for population, this is equivalent to Canada building 11,000 units per year. While both countries have reduced tax benefits for rental real estate, the U.S. offset this by creating the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to support renters with low-middle incomes.

Tax credits via efficient resource allocation for profit and nonprofit rental housing owners

If Canada introduced its own LIHTC, it would create an alternative federal funding opportunity with private sector expertise in owning, building and managing low-income rental housing. The program would provide tax credits to both for-profit and nonprofit rental housing owners, and give nonprofits the choice to sell these tax credits.

Efficient resource allocation would be a critical part of the program, which would be achieved by creating tax credit competition between developers and using a market-based test for the need for and viability of low-income housing.

A supplement to existing renter supports using syndicators to advise on credit pricing

The program could supplement existing renter supports, like housing allowances, local government programs and rent supplements. Developers would receive tax credits, which they would provide investors to offset income tax.

Credits would be funded federally and awarded based on provincial criteria. The program would have a limit, with each region receiving an annual allocation of credits based on its population. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) would ensure projects meet program requirements.

To help finance projects, developers would use syndicators that advise on credit pricing. So far, at least two major Canadian banks are active in the U.S. process and could apply their experience to a Canadian program. The tax credit is distributed over 10 years within the U.S. program. Those with large, regular taxable incomes would benefit from a similar program.

Implementing a Canadian LIHTC could drastically increase the creation of affordable rental housing using private sector resources and expertise. Canada can learn from the successful U.S. model to create a more efficient and effective system to not only address the current shortfall but also provide long-term benefits for low- and middle-income renters nationwide.

Whether you’re guiding clients to their next condominium purchase or rental, the cost of mortgage payments or rent can often influence their decision a great deal.

To help them navigate their options, Zoocasa reported on the most affordable Toronto areas, with data from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. Here’s what they found.

More cost-effective to rent in 27 of 35 neighbourhoods

Nine of the 35 Toronto neighbourhoods analyzed offer average monthly mortgage payments lower than rental payments. This makes renting the more budget-friendly option in 77 per cent of the city’s neighbourhoods.

In York Mills—Bridle Path-Hoggs Hollow, the average monthly rent is $3,642 whereas mortgage payments go for about $6,273 per month. It’s similar in Rosedale-Moore Park, where the average monthly mortgage payment is $1,900 more than the average rent.

Both of these neighbouhoods have average condo prices above $1.4 million.

Black Creek and York University Heights: Lowest cost overall

The lowest mortgage payment average ($2,281) was found in the city’s Black Creek and York University Heights neighbourhoods. This comes in about $20 less than the average rent in Toronto’s most affordable neighbourhood, Rockcliffe-Smythe-Keelesdale-Eglinton West ($2,298).

17% of neighbourhoods have similar rent and mortgage costs

About 1 in 5 (17 per cent) of neighbourhoods have a mortgage and rent payment price difference within $100 — with some differences as low as $10-20. These include High Park-Swansea, Roncesvalles, Parkdale, Yorkville, Annex and Summerhill.

Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview showed the most drastic price difference — here, an average mortgage payment is $549 less than a rental payment.

Read the full study here.

On February 22, REM published a well-researched and well-argued article about the public outcry against ever-increasing property taxes.

One small, innocuous phrase that says so much caught my attention: The Montreal mayor was quoted as stating we are facing “unprecedented challenges” around inflation, housing and climate change.

While most of the problems around inflation and housing were actually caused by governments, I want to challenge the assertion that we’re facing an unprecedented challenge around climate change.

Is climate mitigation investment worth taking money from more affordable housing?

Spending our tax dollars on climate mitigation is very expensive and causes more tax increases, but this will have (and is already having) a more significant effect on our economies.

Is the investment in climate mitigation worth the huge amounts of our tax dollars, especially given that there are no win-win solutions?

There is no climate emergency: Making housing more affordable is a better use of our tax dollars

It takes money away from somewhere else, and I believe somewhere else — making housing more affordable — is a better use of our tax dollars.

I decided a year and a half ago that climate was important enough to study in-depth. I can’t go into detail in a letter of this length, but I can say that all my claims are easily verifiable. Climate is a very complex system and I can only scratch the surface.

There is no argument against CO2 rising rapidly (currently about 400 ppm). But, there is no climate emergency, there is no scientific consensus and there are no climate “deniers.”

Let’s start with CO2

CO2 has indeed risen quite rapidly in the last 150 years and industrialization is very likely contributing to it, but it is NOT the cause. The earth’s climate changes naturally over several cycles as long as 120,000 years due to variations in the planet’s orbit and spends many years in cooler periods (ice ages) and then shorter periods in warmer interglacials. We happen to be in a peak interglacial right now (yay).

What happens during these peaks? CO2 and temperature rise rapidly, which have been much higher than now (about as high as 1,000 ppm) and likely will be again. One day, though, Canada will be under a mile of ice again and there is nothing anyone can do about it. 

Between new technologies and population decline, CO2 will come down

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), of the United Nations, came up with several scenarios to determine what will happen under various CO2 emission models. They recently dismissed their worst-case scenario (the one all the end-of-the-world predictions are based on) as highly unlikely, and I believe they’re considering removing the second worst-case scenario, too.

It turns out Western nations’ carbon emissions have been declining for a couple of decades. Nations like China and India are major contributors, firing up new coal-powered plants every week. The IPCC’s worst-case scenario for sea level rise is 18 inches by 2100. Plus, the world’s population is predicted to peak within 50 years and then decline. Between new technologies and population decline, CO2 will come down.

Consensus: Foreign to science

It also turns out there is no scientific consensus. Consensus is not even a concept in the world of science.

“No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.”

 

– Albert Einstein

The whole purpose of science is to question assertions, and consensus is foreign to the endeavour. The 97 per cent consensus position was first put forward by John Cook, from the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland, who reviewed hundreds of papers, and it has been vigorously challenged. Another scientist reviewed the same papers and found something like a 5 per cent consensus. 

Yes, CO2 is increasing — but it’s about the level of concern

Last year, the CLINTEL (Climate Intelligence) research foundation produced a climate declaration challenging the “consensus” and so far over 1,900 scientists and professionals have signed on, including a Nobel Prize winner.

This brings us to the “deniers”, an embarrassing argument for any scientist to make. This is called arguing against the person and is widely recognized as no argument.

No serious scientists deny increasing CO2, but many question the level of concern.

Remember the argument that increasing CO2 will make the world more arid and threaten food production? CO2 is plant food and, drum roll please, an area one to two times the size of the U.S. has greened and food production has increased dramatically.

Investing climate money in housing affordability will dramatically improve the lives of ordinary Canadians

So, with all these factors to consider, is climate change a wise use of our property (or other) tax dollars? I say no, certainly not yet. Bjorn Lomborg eloquently laid out the details of climate and the consequences of mitigation. The more we spend on climate, the less we can spend on roads, bridges, schools, medicine and housing.

Canada contributes 1.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Our efforts will have zero impact on climate but will result (and already are) in economic disaster. Investing that money in housing affordability instead will dramatically improve the lives of ordinary Canadians. On top of this, research finds that the better off people are economically, the more they are amenable to saving the planet.*

*For example, a UN survey found poorer nations ranked climate their last priority, with things like better healthcare and better job opportunities coming higher. A 2030 version of this survey is currently underway.

“We have the most affordable housing in all of Canada, pretty much any city,” Brian Jean, Alberta’s minister of jobs, economy and northern development, said in March 2023. “They can sell their house in Toronto or Vancouver, buy four houses here in Alberta and live in one and rent three.”

Over 100,000 migrated in four years, at least as many more expected by 2027

Many took up the offer. Statistics Canada reported from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023, Alberta’s population grew by 4 per cent, with over 55,000 more people moving in than moving out. In four years, Calgary’s Housing and Affordability Task Force believes that number surpassed 100,000, with another 110,000 coming in the next few years.

The negative consequences of such a campaign are being realized as those moving into Alberta are finding their dollar goes farther, while those in Calgary are seeing prices increase.

Migration seen as problematic for long-time Calgary residents waiting to buy

“My clients who have been here for 15, 20 years are trying to get into the market, and the down payment they had is not good enough anymore,” says Anthony Lewis, a Re/Max Real Estate (Central) agent.

A lifelong Calgarian and realtor of over 10 years, he points to the migration as a problem for those who have been living in Calgary and waiting to buy. “People from Ontario and B.C. are coming in, and now it’s too pricey for (my clients) who want a detached home. Now it’s a townhouse or condo apartment.”

More market tenacity from non-Albertans

The province in general and Calgary, in particular, are seeing the same trends as the rest of the country in anticipation of interest rates going down: low inventory and more competition as people ready to enter the market. This leads to more tenacity from some buyers, particularly from outside the province.

“I get a lot of people from Ontario and B.C. offering sight unseen,” says Lewis.”They want to buy an investment property in Calgary, so we have video calls. I’m seeing unconditional offers which may be normal in Ontario, but over here we’re like, ‘get the home inspection.’”

About the Alberta campaign and its marketing efforts to Ontario and British Columbia, Lewis feels it’s “not really doing any favours to home ownership in Calgary.”

Issue seeping into local rental market

It’s not just prospective homeowners who are feeling squeezed; Calgary is seeing their rental crisis exacerbate.

The February 2024 housing report by Rentals.com notes the average Canadian rental price for a one-bedroom unit rose by over 12 per cent. This follows a 19.2 per cent increase from the previous year. Notably, studio apartments, typically the cheapest rental option available, saw their average price rise by over 30 per cent — meaning those seeking out the least expensive option are finding it tougher than ever to secure a place to live.

What’s more, this year CBC reported a dim outlook by the Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC), with vacancy rates set to drop as prices increase and the market tightens. The CMHC January 2024 report noted the average price of a two-bedroom residence in Calgary is $1,695, an increase of 14.3 per cent in one year.

“Where is everyone going to live?” asks Lewis. “People are getting kicked out of their homes.”

More agents, more competition — including from outside Alberta

The influx of residents has increased the number of licensed agents in the province, as well. 

The Real Estate Council of Alberta reports that since January 2021, it received 1,385 mobility applications from real estate agents and mortgage brokers outside Alberta to become licensed in the province. The three-year period previously saw only 399 such applications.

In addition to the rise of licensed agents to deal with the increase in transactions, there’s more competition. So, Lewis and others must face being skipped over entirely.

“Builders here are marketing to people directly in Ontario,” he explains. “I had this problem two years ago, where I was trying to get a presale for this condo, but they weren’t marketing to Calgary real estate agents.”

Increased unaffordability a growing concern: “This is our reality”

While Lewis acknowledges there’s more money to go around for agents, he worries about the increase in people who can’t afford to live there.

“We need to slow down, we need to look at what’s happening,” he says. “It’s out there now that Calgary is a nice city, and that’s what brings everyone here, but I don’t think it can slow down, and I don’t think the government wants it to slow down.”

He does have some advice for fellow agents facing similar dilemmas: “All we can do for the buyers we have that aren’t out of province is paint the picture of how it’s going to be,” says Lewis. “You’re going to be competing against five other people, and three of the five will be from B.C. or Ontario and will go over asking. This is our reality.”

The Daniels Corporation and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust partnered with Habitat for Humanity GTA to participate in a Habitat GTA Team Build Day at Brampton, Ontario’s Daniels Mount Pleasant Village (MPV) community.

The event was held to support Habitat GTA partner families in “building strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.” The three teams participated in a townhome’s construction process and prepared the home at MPV for upcoming building stages.

“Having an affordable home creates stability, hope and resilient communities”

A release points out that having an affordable home creates stability, hope and resilient communities, and that it’s important for organizations to contribute social impact, team cohesion, and support and change to the communities they serve.

“At Daniels, we take immense pride in the work we do in partnership with Habitat for Humanity GTA. We value the importance of giving back to our communities and are especially proud during this season of giving back to our community in such a meaningful way with our partners at Choice Properties and Habitat GTA. Participating in the build of a new townhome for a deserving Habitat partner family signifies a profound moment in our ongoing commitment to community support and inclusivity,” says Jake Cohen, COO at The Daniels Corporation. “Our work is more than just about building homes. We are ensuring that deserving families have a foundation for a brighter future.”

Orit Sarfaty, VP, sustainability and placemaking at Choice Properties, comments: “At Choice Properties, we view our spaces as an opportunity to enhance the economic well-being and social fabric of the surrounding community. We are proud to have a partner in Daniels who shares our commitment to taking a multi-sector, inclusive approach to development. Today, we are eager to offer our hands in the building of a Habitat for Humanity home, with the hope of enriching the lives of the family it will hold. Together, we are creating healthy, resilient communities.”

A long partnership working across the GTA

Daniels has partnered with Habitat for Humanity GTA for over 20 years, working with almost 100 families across the GTA. Last year, the company received the first Developer for Humanity Lifetime Achievement Award by Habitat for Humanity GTA, to recognize their “commitment to affordable homeownership opportunities and economic and social well-being within the communities they serve.”

Ene Underwood, CEO of Habitat for Humanity GTA, says, “Time and again, Daniels delivers on their goal of creating truly vibrant communities that go beyond bricks and mortar. We are thrilled that Daniels, together with their partner, Choice Properties, have created this opportunity for yet another Habitat family to realize the strength, stability and possibility that comes from a home of their own. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners onsite today, we are unlocking change for generations through the building of affordable homes.”

Becoming a homeowner is a significant achievement in a person’s life. They save money for years, hoping to own a house, a condo or another form of primary residence. 

In recent years, this milestone has become more challenging for Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, the housing price index increased from 103.4 in January 2020 to 125.2 in January 2023. 

Earlier this year, the government unveiled a tax-free First Home Savings Account to assist those trying to buy their first home. However, for over a decade, non-profits have led the charge to help families afford housing.

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, real estate advisor Brenda MacKenzie makes a difference by providing tangible change for local families. Her organization, A Home for Everyone, raised over $200,000 for local organizations between 2011 and 2018. Today, the non-profit continues its work as A Home for Everyone, and its goal of helping Canadians buy homes hasn’t changed.

How does MacKenzie affect change in her community? How does A Home for Everyone raise money and achieve community support? Here’s her story and what the organization has planned for the future.

Finding inspiration

MacKenzie founded A Home for Everyone in 2011, but she’s been helping her community for nearly four decades. The inspiration for her organization came in 2000, thanks to a powerful speech. 

She travelled to Mexico with her friend, Martin Rutte, author of “Project Heaven on Earth” and co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work.” At the conference, a keynote speech helped MacKenzie realize she could make a difference. 

“If we all put our mind to it, we can all do something,” MacKenzie says. “So, if you had a magic wand and you could just wave your magic wand and cure something in the world and make it right, what would you want to change?

And I said, homelessness.”

From this point, MacKenzie started her journey that continues today. She involved her company to help people through the business instead of donating to charities. 

This initiative became known as A Home for Everyone until 2018. In 2019, MacKenzie registered A Home for Everyone after joining Engel & Völkers, where she continues her journey to solve the housing crisis.

Drawing from experience

While Canada’s housing crisis is a significant concern for MacKenzie, she has faced other battles in her personal life. These experiences have shaped her worldview and inspired her to help others. 

MacKenzie and her family members have suffered from polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Fortunately, she received a transplant a couple of years ago. This experience overlaps with her vision to end homelessness. 

“I vowed the same thing as I vow with homelessness,” MacKenzie says. “I vowed when I got my transplant and when I was on dialysis that I was going to be an advocate. We need to be advocates for others.”

MacKenzie advocates for others with the disease through the PKD Foundation. She co-founded the organization’s Halifax chapter and is one of the coordinators. MacKenzie says the foundation spreads awareness, discusses the disease and supports those along their journeys.

Spreading a vision

Helping people afford housing doesn’t come cheap. It takes a village to accumulate funds and spread the vision of ending homelessness. 

A Home for Everyone as a society relies on sponsors like Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia and CUA banking. Organizations ask their employees to contribute to the cause, and some funds come from real estate agents. 

Instead of sales pitches, MacKenzie focuses on action because it goes a long way in proving how the organization makes a difference. 

“It’s about telling a story,” MacKenzie says. “As one person, we can make a change. And as a group, we can make a bigger change. Just think if all of us come together.”

MacKenzie repeats the question she heard in Mexico over 20 years ago: What would someone do if they could wave a magic wand and have a wish granted? This impactful approach has helped her gather community support despite the tough times for homebuyers. 

“If you can actually show people how you are making a difference, other people will get on board because they can see the change,” MacKenzie says. “They’re taking commissions and putting it into this pot. And then, they’re putting a family into a home where they might never be able to do that.”

Tackling modern housing costs

Housing costs have risen worldwide, and Halifax is not an exception. Home prices have continued to climb, with Re/Max reporting a 2.1 per cent increase in average sale price between 2022 and 2023. 

Houses that many deem as starter homes have become unaffordable for first-time buyers and families struggling financially. The increasing prices have made it more challenging for MacKenzie and A Home for Everyone as a society to move forward.

“The pricing has gone up on everything,” MacKenzie says. “The price we were used to be able to deal with is now a different price.

And then we’ve got competing offers — so, if you’ve got a low-end product, you’ve got more than one offer. We have to compete, so that’s hard.”

A Home for Everyone as a society aims to assist families by covering a 5 per cent down payment, closing costs, inspection fees, lawyer fees and, occasionally, minor repairs. 

The high costs lead the non-profit organization to tap into its community support. Halifax’s generosity shows when people step up and offer families free services.

Electricians, plumbers and lawyers in the area offer services pro bono to reduce the financial strain on the organization and the families. This donated time helps A Home for Everyone assist more families in Halifax and grow their impact.

“That’s where we’re able to really tap into the community and also through the support because the family needs to have a support system,” MacKenzie says. “We won’t arrange a host purchase and leave them on their own. We want a support system in place, which is usually a charity or a church or a family that knows the family and that’s going to work with them.”

Feeling ambitious for the future 

MacKenzie and her non-profit organization have helped families in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. However, they see more work is necessary across Canada.

While expansion might take some time, there are ambitions to work with more companies in other provinces. For now, A Home for Everyone works with others in Cape Breton, Yarmouth and different sections of Nova Scotia.

The organization’s goal is to house four families in 2023. MacKenzie says it’s close to hitting the mark and achieving it by early 2024.

“I feel like, then, we can go to other companies within Halifax and say ‘this is what we’ve done’.”

The organization has worked hard over the years, but MacKenzie sees growth opportunities. Her office has a board, envisioning what the future looks like. Some possibilities include registering as a charity or hiring a full-time executive director. These opportunities would increase the group’s influence and further impact the community.

Influencing change

Homelessness is challenging to solve, so the average person might be pessimistic about what they can do as an individual. However, MacKenzie says nobody should feel too small or downplay their capabilities. 

“I think people need to get out of their head in terms of ‘it’s too big’ because it’s not too big,” Mackenzie says. “It all starts, again, one person, one idea.” 

Another example of realtors lending a helping hand is through Kindness Above Everything. Mary Johnson, sales representative and vice president of StreetCity Realty Inc., established this non-profit organization in London, Ontario. 

The organization assists single-income families with mortgage payments and donates newborn supplies to safe homes. It also helps students in after-school programs by bringing food and supplies to areas with lower income. 

Addressing homelessness is critical in London, considering the city’s unhoused population. CTV News says London has about 2,000 unhoused people which includes 600 high-needs individuals who live in tents. 

The work of Johnson and other real estate professionals across Canada demonstrates how effective coordination and advocacy can be in addressing the homeless crisis. 

Starting a similar group in other regions of Canada is possible through hard work, patience and dedication to serving the community. Small businesses, contractors, real estate agents and others can help families needing assistance as a token of generosity and an opportunity for brand-building.

While good deeds are the focal point of philanthropy, brokerages discover benefits from helping the unhoused, as MacKenzie and Johnson have. Brokerages build relationships within the community, boost employee morale and stand out among competitors when participating in these housing initiatives.

Non-profit organizations helping the unhoused will grow this decade as more brokerages and realtors engage with their communities and reap the benefits of philanthropy. Housing families is fundamental for setting them and their communities up for success, and there is plenty of opportunity for realtors and other industry professionals to pitch in.