As National Housing Week comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a packed week of events, discussions, and publications that underscore the urgency and complexity of addressing our housing crisis. It was a privilege to participate in conversations with industry leaders, city staff, and community members, all working toward the same goal: creating more affordable, inclusive, and sustainable housing.
Here’s a snapshot of my week:
- Advancing the Missing Middle with Councillor Bradford
I had the pleasure of attending a roundtable hosted by Councillor Brad Bradford, which brought together industry professionals and city staff to explore how to adavnce housing solutions for the “missing middle”—housing options that bridge the gap between high-rise towers and single-family homes. This type of housing offers a more sustainable, equitable solution to Toronto’s lack of housing options, especially for families. With forward-thinking leadership from Councillor Bradford, I left the conversation optimistic about the path ahead and the potential for meaningful change.
2. A Conversation with Mitchell Cohen: The Old/New Neighbourhood of Regent Park
Another key moment of National Housing Week for me was my conversation with Mitchell Cohen, CEO and President of Daniels. We focused on the urban planning and design aspects of Regent Park’s transformation as we closed the New Neighbourhoods exhibition. Regent Park stands as one of Canada’s most ambitious urban revitalization projects, and Mitchell shared invaluable insights into how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful, inclusive redevelopment. It was an honest and refreshing discussion on how to balance community-building with urban design and affordability.
3. Publishing the Solutions Lab Memo
This week also marked the release of the Developing Large-Scale Government-Owned Land memo from our Solutions Lab. This document captures our work with industry leaders and stakeholders, outlining a collaborative framework for transforming underutilized public lands into vibrant, affordable neighbourhoods. I’m incredibly proud of the ideas and strategies the participants developed and look forward to seeing how they can influence policy and practice.
4. Mayor Olivia Chow’s National Housing Week Event
A highlight of the week was participating in Mayor Olivia Chow’s marquee event, where I was hounored to join Andrea Adams in discussing our project at 1120 Ossington Ave. The Mayor interviewed us about the innovative approach we’re taking to deliver much-needed deeply affordable housing as an infill development.
5. Housing for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
On Thursday, I attended Taking Action on Housing for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, an event organized by the City’s Housing Secretariat. The event highlighted the critical role safe, stable housing plays in the recovery and empowerment of survivors. It was a reminder of the unique housing challenges faced by these individuals and the importance of designing policies and programs that prioritize their needs.
6. Fireside Chat with Ana Bailão at Kehilla’s Event
I wrapped up the week at Kehilla’s event, where I had the privilege of moderating a fireside chat with Ana Bailão. We dug into some tough questions about the state of affordable housing today—examining the barriers, opportunities, and urgent actions required to move the needle. Kehilla’s focus on affordable housing within the Jewish community continues to drive me, and I was honoured to be part of this critical conversation.
Looking Ahead
National Housing Week is always a time to reflect, but more importantly, it’s a call to action. The conversations I had this week remind me that while the challenges are immense, so is the collective commitment to creating solutions. So let’s keep pushing forward.