Research & Papers

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Economic Study: The Impact of Community Housing on Productivity

CHRA, Housing Partnership Canada, and our sector partners commissioned Deloitte to produce a study on the impact of community housing on Canada’s economic productivity.

The Impact of Community Housing on Productivity

Congress Session Series 2023

Three summary briefs have been developed based on workshop sessions held at the 2023 CHRA National Congress in Winnipeg thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

A Tapestry of Experience: Unpacking the diversity and impact of housing stories
Marwa Al Waeal, Research Analyst, SHS Consulting

This is a summary of the session ‘A Tapestry of Experience: Unpacking the diversity and impact of housing stories’, which took place on April 19, 2023 at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Congress on Housing and Homelessness in Winnipeg, MB.

Moving Forward: Exploring National Housing Strategy 2.0
Charlee Grace, Development Coordinator, SHS Consulting

This is a summary of the Congress session ‘Moving Forward: Exploring National Housing Strategy 2 .0' which took place on April 19, 2023 during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Congress on Housing and Homelessness in Winnipeg, MB.

Protecting Tenants and Affordability: Exploring the efficacy of property acquisition
Paulina Ascencio, Project Officer, Federation of Canadian Municipalities

This is a summary of the session 'Protecting Tenants and Affordability: Exploring the efficacy of property acquisition' which took place on April 20, 2023, during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association’s Congress on Housing and Homelessness in Winnipeg, MB.

 

Congress Session Series 2022

Four summary briefs have been developed based on workshop sessions held at the 2022 CHRA Virtual Congress with thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

An Era of Transformation: Growing the capacity of Canada’s housing sector (PDF)
Louise Atkins, Member, CHRA Indigenous Caucus Working Group

This paper is a summary of the session, "An Era of Transformation: Growing the capacity of Canada’s housing sector" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2022.

Housing Journeys Reimagined
Hope Jamieson, Program Manager, Newfoundland & Labrador, Community Housing Transformation Centre

This paper is a summary of the session, "Housing Journeys Reimagined" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 27, 2022.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sector-led initiatives for sector-led solutions
Dr. David DesBaillets, Postdoctoral Researcher at Human Rights Research & Education Centre

This paper is a summary of the session, "Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sector-led initiatives for sector-led solutions" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2022.

Unpacking the Financialization of Housing in Canada
Jessica Bundy, Development Coordinator, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

This paper is a summary of the session, "Unpacking the Financialization of Housing in Canada" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2022.

Congress Session Series 2021

Four summary briefs have been developed based on workshop sessions held at the 2021 CHRA Virtual Congress with thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Housing and Health: A Conversation with Dr. Sandy Buchman  (PDF)
Courtney Lockhart, Program Manager, Policy & Government Relations, CHF Canada.

This paper is a summary of the session, "Housing and Health: A Conversation with Dr. Sandy Buchman" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2021.

In a Time of COVID: Partnerships for Housing Solutions & Economic Recovery (PDF)
Kyla Tanner, Project Manager, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Housing Corporation

This paper is a summary of the session, "In a Time of COVID: Partnerships for Housing Solutions & Economic Recovery", which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2021.

Building Mixed Model Housing: Experiences & Insights from Across Canada (PDF)
Kyla Tanner, Project Manager, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Housing Corporation

This paper is a summary of the session, "Building Mixed Model Housing: Experiences and insights from across Canada" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 28, 2021.

"The Sentinels of the Street": Identifying and Addressing Housing Inadequacies for Veterans (PDF)
Louise Atkins, Member, CHRA Indigenous Caucus Working Group

This paper is a summary of the session, "The Sentinels of the Street": Identifying and Addressing Housing Inadequacies for Veterans" which took place virtually during the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's Congress on April 29, 2021.

Congress Session Series 2020

A research paper, and three summary briefs have been developed based on workshop Congress 2020 Virtual Webinar Series that took place due to the cancellation of Congress in Saskatoon, SK with thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Non-Market Housing Development (PDF)
Leigh Bursey, Chartered Housing Professional, Executive Director, Tiny Home Alliance Canada, Director, Brockville Streetfriends & National, Alliance to End Rural and Remote Homelessness

A research summary on the workshop session: "Non-Market Housing Development: Aligning Resources, Creating Partnerships and Maximizing Social Outcomes." The session explores effective examples of aligning government resources to build capacity in the non-market housing sector, non-profit housing partnerships and maximizing social outcomes in the development process.

 

This is a webinar summary of the webinar: " The effect of the Pandemic on Indigenous Housing and Services". This wide-ranging discussion provides an overview of issues that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy, program, and administrative responses by Indigenous serving and Indigenous- led organizations.

Brandon Labbey-Krejci, Housing Services Manager, M'akola Housing SocietyA research summary on the workshop session: "Transitional Housing for Youth" sponsored by A Way Home Canada. Learn about work being done in Toronto and Saskatoon to create scalable successes in youth housing.

Affordable Homeownership Models (PDF)
Roxane Geubue, Senior Analyst Multi-Unit Underwriter, Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation

A research summary on the workshop session: "Affordable Homeownership Models - Shared Equity Mortgages, Partnerships, Community Land Trusts", sponsored by the Canadian Real Estate Association. The session explored examples of affordable homeownership models and practices being used across Canada.

Congress Session Series 2019

A research paper, and three summary briefs have been developed based on workshop sessions held at Congress 2019 in Victoria, BC with thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Beyond a Duty to Consult: Best Practices and Case Studies from the Front Line of Canadian Indigenous Partnerships (PDF)
Hannah Brais, Research Coordinator, Old Brewery Mission

A research summary on the workshop session: "Partnerships that work: Indigenous communities, Industry, and Affordable Housing Providers". Learn what makes a partnership successful between Indigenous communities, governments, industry, and non-profit organizations.

Impact Investing for Affordable Housing Projects (PDF)
Adrienne Pacini, MDes, APF, Principal, Strategic Design, SHS Consulting

A session brief which summarizes the workshop session 'Impact Investing for Affordable Housing Projects'. It explores innovative approaches to financing moderate to middle-income affordable housing projects.

Architectural Co-Design (PDF)
Jessica Hayes, MCRP, Housing Planner, Metro Vancouver

Showcases Architectural Best Practices in Indigenous Housing Co-design both in urban communities and with First Nations. Learn how engagement and architectural co-design with Indigenous people is evolving toward more sensitive approaches and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable housing designs.

Housing in the North (PDF)
Amanda-Rose Bourget, Affordable Housing Program Coordinator, Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation

Often northern housing is characterized by stories from a deficit-based perspective. The session highlighted how partnership and collaboration with governments, local non-governmental organizations, private industry, and Indigenous groups are driving innovation and made-in-the-North solutions to housing challenges.

 

Community Housing for Resilient Communities

Final Report: Community Housing for Resilient Communities
By Jessica W. Chen, Wabi Sabi Planning Laboratories
A project to showcase community organizing and housing innovation for social inclusion in British Columbia and Quebec in the context of urban land development

2018 Affordable Housing Budget Expenditure Highlights in Canada

2018 has seen a significant amount of change and investment in social, non-profit, and affordable housing across the country. In the context of a dynamic and changing housing policy framework across the country, the 2018 Affordable Housing Budget Expenditure Highlights in Canada report examines the commitments made by provinces and territories in their respective 2018-2019 budgets and highlights recent housing announcements and initiatives underway within specific provinces and territories.

Congress Session Series 2018

A research paper, three summary briefs, and an infographic have been developed based on workshop sessions held at Congress 2018 in Ottawa, ON, with thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Financing, Land and Organizational Capacity: Affordable Housing Development
Ayda Agha & Konrad Czechowski 
By exploring innovative strategies, housing providers and non-profit organizations are implementing new solutions to address challenges and barriers in affordable housing development and management

Perpetual Affordability and Community Control of the Land
Ayda Agha
The Community Land Trust movement is picking up speed in Canada and brings into focus a collective vision for community land stewardship.

Life of Tenants Beyond Housing
Konrad Czechowski
A home is built on more than just housing. Successful community-building approaches foster sense of belonging among tenants to reduce isolation often faced by vulnerable persons.

Growing the Sector: Recruitment and Retention of the Next Generation of Leaders
Konrad Czechowski & Ayda Agha
What do leaders look like today and what will they look like in the future? Housing organisations look to future-proof themselves by identifying the new core competencies needed to support innovation.

Konrad Czechowski & Ayda Agha

How are housing organisations responding to new opportunities and responsibilities in the changing operating environment

Examining the dynamics of Canada's housing tenure system: implications for a national housing strategy

A Background Working Paper: Examining the dynamics of Canada's housing tenure system: implications for a national housing strategy
Steve Pomeroy (Focus Consulting Inc.) and Greg Lampert

This publication was prepared for the Canadian Home Builders' Association and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association with support from Genworth Canada. The analysis and conclusions are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of either association or funders of the research.

Congress Session Series 2017

Four summary papers have been developed based on workshop sessions held at Congress 2017 in Halifax, NS, thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Examining the current and international context of Canada's housing situation to understand the opportunities which exist, including new opportunites for rental housing financing. With contributions from real estate developers, social planning councils, and the CMHC.

Positioning the Affordable Housing Sector to Deliver Long-term Solutions featured a discussion about policies, tools and programs underway that are working to position the affordable housing sector to deliver long-term solutions.

 

This paper will focus on critical dialogue on the role of affordable homeownership from the perspectives of builders, financial lenders, and non-profit housing providers.

 

 

This paper considers various processes of establishing a housing collaborative, gathering key stakeholders, forming partnerships, funding models, capacity, internal operations and efficiency issues - and the potential impacts of scaling collaboratives on the sustainability of the housing sector.

Congress Sessions Series 2016

Four summary papers have been developed based on workshop sessions held at Congress 2016 in Montreal, QC, thanks to the generous support and contribution of BC Housing.

Kyle Wiebe
Showcasing five unique partnerships from across Canada and in Paris, France, this paper highlights how land use planning, multi-agency and inter-governmental partnerships, cultural consultation, strategic financing and transit oriented development have been used to deliver affordable and supportive housing in the face of political, economic and social barriers.

Kyle Wiebe
This paper examines the requirements to acquire and maintain a non-profit organizations tax exempt status, and looks at the practical questions and concerns when considering revenue diversification - as well as a review of pathways to possibilities for tax policy changes.

Responding to Homelessness Needs Through Housing (PDF)
Learn about successful approaches taking place in Montreal, St. John's and Ottawa in supportive housing and homelessness prevention, focused on access to stable housing through broad housing sector engagement, a multi-organizational approach to Housing First, and strong on-site supports respectively.

Kyle Wiebe
Beginning with an overview of recent research exploring current and future competency needs within the sector, this paper goes on to highlight Canadian and international best-practices in organizational leadership capacity, and how to manage Board/CEO relationships.

 

Congress Sessions Series 2015

The following papers are based on six workshops presented at CHRA's Congress 2015 in Winnipeg, MB, and have been developed with the generous support of BC Housing.

Holly Ervick-Knote

This workshop focused on the how and why of measuring the social impact of investment in affordable housing from three perspectives: a housing provider, a provincial government agency and a financial institution.

Kyle Wiebe
Highlighting the work of three organizations respectively in Abbotsford, BC, Winnipeg, MB and Toronto, ON this paper showcases affordable homeownership strategies, including programs for off-reserve First Nations, partnerships addressing limited land use, and unique design principles.

Kyle Wiebe
This paper examines the relationship between homelessness and youth aging out the child welfare system, as well as street-level agency impacts and responsive program design, and the debate for systematic change in addressing policy, awareness and input on youth homelessness.

Kyle Wiebe
This session highlights two unique approaches, one by a social enterprise, the other by a non-profit housing provider, utilizing a variety of methods to improve energy efficient retrofits resulting in lower operating costs and increased affordability.

Holly Ervick-Knote
Two initiatives, one situated in Fresno, California, U.S., the other in Saskatoon, SK, provide powerful proven demonstrations of how associations, institutions and residents are collaborating at the local level towards the development of affordable housing and social cohesion.

Holly Ervick-Knote

Using an interactive map to present rental housing data for communities across Canada, the Rental Housing Index, designed and developed by the BC Non-Profit Housing Association in partnership with Vancity Credit Union, is a one of a kind tool created to fill a gap in community rental market information.

Congress Sessions Series 2014

Six workshop topics, originally presented at CHRA's 2014 Congress in Edmonton, AB have been developed into case studies. Thank you to BC Housing for providing the funding that made this possible.  

Geoff Gillard
The first study looks at affordable housing providers that have been early adopters of measures that contribute to developing more sustainable communities.

Enabling Safe and Inclusive Communities Through Housing (PDF)
The second published session highlights three projects where housing is the catalyst for urban inner-city neighbourhood regeneration: the preservation of Vancouver's Downtown East Side for low-income residents, plans for a new Edmonton community built on the site of a decommissioned airport, and the renewal of a downtown Winnipeg neighbourhood.

Geoff Gillard
The third featured session examines three recent Canadian disasters that significantly affected affordable housing properties and tenants. It presents lessons learned from the 2013 Southern Alberta floods, the 2011 Slave Lake forest fires, and the 2010 building fire of a large Toronto Community Housing Property.

Geoff Gillard
The fourth study identifies strategies for addressing community resistance to new builds, particularly through the addition of affordable, supportive and infill housing.

Municipal Approaches to Preserving and Growing Affordable Rental Housing in Mid-Sized Communicities (PDF)
This case study highlights the approaches taken by the City of Fort St. John, British Columbia and the City of Fredericton, New Brunswick, in addressing the affordable rental housing needs of their respective communities along with the impacts and outcomes.

Shared Equity Approaches to Affordable Homeownership (PDF)
The final paper focuses on three different affordable homeownership programs each in Calgary, AB, Duluth, Minnesota, USA and Vancouver, BC that have utilized a shared equity approach to homeownership.

Congress Sessions Series 2013

Canada's three northern territories occupy 40% of Canada's land mass, but are home to roughly 100,000 residents in 83 separate communities. Housing is far more expensive to deliver in the North and critical pieces of the traditional housing continuum available to the rest of Canada are absent.

Summary of three social housing projects that have undergone substantive transformations in recent years, with considerable improvements in community safety, social cohesion and other social and economic outcomes.

Geoff Gillard
Using brief case studies, this paper focuses on the critical role affordable housing plays in supporting the economic, social and civic success of immigrant newcomers to Canada.

Geoff Gillard
Highlighting the roles different forms of social finance have played in the development of three affordable housing communities in Canada, and identifying best practices and lessons learned for social housing providers.

Addressing some of the challenges and opportunities as Operating Agreements begin to expire and the different approach by Aboriginal housing providers.

2012 EOA Simplified Assessment Tool

The tool is designed to analyze single projects, and allows small providers to undertake two types of assessments: (a) determining project viability; and (b) examining capital reserve adequacy.

The Simple Assessment Tool provides the first step in helping social housing providers to identify the challenges they may face post-expiry of federal operating agreements, and is accompanied by the companion document Addressing the Expiring Subsidy Challenge, providing more information on various options your organization can explore based on the outcomes.

National advocacy is one of our top functions here at the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association. We lobby federal decision-makers and achieve results on a range of issues impacting the social, non-profit and affordable housing sector in Canada. At a national level, we're here to respond to our members' needs - when members reach out, we take action.

Our advocacy efforts have resulted in significant positive impacts for our sector. Examples of recent achievements and activities include:

  • The announcement of a $40 billion, 10-year National Housing Strategy that will reinvest in the existing stock of social housing, invest in new social housing capacity, and protect Operating Agreement subsidies for the next 10 years.
  • The announcement of legislation that will implement the progressive right-to-housing for all people living in Canada.
  • An upcoming Technical Resource Centre that will provide funding and expert advice to housing providers wishing to transform their operations.
  • CHRA's Indigenous Caucus is leading the effort to achieve a new Indigenous Housing Strategy that will invest in housing for urban and rural Indigenous peoples, as well as invest in First Nations, Metis, and Inuit housing.

Our work with the federal government on these and many other advocacy objectives continues. Find specific advocacy initiatives currently undertaken below. We are developing messages and resources for the 2019 federal election - stay tuned!


Submission to the Pre-Budget Consultations for the 2019 Canadian Federal Budget

In response to the House of Commons Finance Committee's annual call for recommendations to inform the federal government's 2019 Budget, CHRA submitted a brief that included four specific recommendations: simplify and extend the Federal Community Housing Initiative; increase investment to build new affordable housing; expand the current Federal Lands Initiative to allow for acquisition of provincial or municipal lands for affordable housing; and develop and implement an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. CHRA will be seeking an in-person appearance before the Finance Committee this fall to discuss these and other ideas directly with the Committee. Read our submission.


Human Rights-Based Approach to Housing

Submission to the National Consultation on a Human Rights-Based Approach to Housing

As the voice for the social, non-profit and affordable housing sector in Canada, we engage with the federal government on an ongoing basis to provide input and feedback on the legislated human rights-based approach to housing. Prior to its announcement, we were pleased to share our insights and expertise to inform the design of a legislated right-to-housing. We also participated in the roundtables on the human rights-based approach to housing and submitted an ideas paper to the national consultation - our submission comments on the five elements of the human rights-based approach outlined by the federal government, and includes additional observations and recommendations to assist the government in developing meaningful rights-based legislation. Read our submission.


Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

Resolution on Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

We firmly believe that a robust Indigenous housing strategy should include recognition of the growing need for culturally connected and adequate housing for urban, rural and northern Indigenous Peoples, with a view of housing as an integral part of reconciliation. Housing forms the foundation for vibrant Indigenous communities and remains a positive determinant of health and mental wellbeing, education, early childhood development and employment. Read more or find out how you can endorse the resolution.

For Indigenous, By Indigenous National Housing Strategy

Calling on the federal government to address the housing needs of urban, rural and northern Indigenous families and individuals, including the disproportionate representation of Indigenous Peoples living in homelessness and core housing the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association and its Indigenous Housing Caucus Working Group released A For Indigenous, By Indigenous (FIBI) National Housing Strategy. Read the strategy.


National Housing Strategy

Town Hall on the National Housing Strategy

At our town hall in December 2017, we discussed the federal government's National Housing Strategy. It featured a presentation by Michel Tremblay, Senior Vice President, Policy, Research and Public Affairs; and Debbie Stewart, Director, Housing Needs from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The town hall allowed our members to ask questions and make comments about the strategy. View the recording.

Submissions to the Federal Government on the National Housing Strategy

We provided the Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, with two sets of documents related to the release of the National Housing Strategy in fall 2017. The first includes recommendations on housing-related programs and announcements included in the federal Budget. The second is intended to serve as a policy framework for a distinct urban and rural Indigenous housing strategy. It was produced with the input of the Indigenous Caucus during its meeting in Halifax in May 2017, with oversight from CHRA's Indigenous Caucus Working Group. It is our position that there cannot be a National Housing Strategy without an Indigenous Housing Strategy. Read the submissions.