SvN was tasked by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Housing Affordability Task Group to explore design and regulatory opportunities that address housing affordability in growing communities across Ontario and beyond.

“Affordable Housing” is typically used to define lower income housing needs that are eligible for federal or provincial subsidies, whereas “Housing Affordability” refers to the lack of affordability across not only lower- but also middle- and even higher- income households—be they rented or owned—subsidized or not. Herein lies the real issue.

Our report’s outcomes were laid out in four major areas: 

(1) Increased Housing Supply and Social Opportunities across all income groups with emphasis on lower- and middle-income groups. Here, we want to promote vibrant and complete communities, where residents can age in place,

(2) Increased Housing Supply and Diversity within all neighbourhoods, corridors and centres with emphasis on neighbourhoods which occupy 70–80% of land area.

(3) Increased Local Economic Opportunities resulting from increased renovations, additions, and redevelopments being carried out by homeowners, local trades and builders, and developers.

(4) Optimized Use and Cost of Infrastructure and Services, including schools, parks, roads, sewers, water mains and waste removal

Click here to download the complete report!