Housing Affordability Symposium Feb 2 & 3, 2012

While there is a lot of talk and media attention surrounding housing affordability, too often there is insufficient attention given to specific 'Action Plans' that can address the problem. Below is information on a forthcoming symposium which is designed to lead to specific actions for governments, the home building industry, and others. Tsur Sommerville and I presented at the first symposium and have been invited back to present another song and dance on addressing the need for affordable housing at the macro and micro levels.

The event is being organized by the Canadian Home Builders' Association.

On February 2 & 3, 2012, the issue of market housing affordability will be addressed in person, not just in headlines. Bringing together the residential construction industry and members of government, the Housing Affordability Symposium will provide the forum to openly discuss barriers and solutions to improve market housing affordability in BC. More than an educational conference, this symposium provides interactive roundtable discussions amongst all delegates to address various issues related to community planning, maximizing housing stock, economic issues, and regulatory constraints.

JOIN US at HAS: Housing Affordability Symposium on February 2 – 3, 2012 to develop action-oriented strategies to lower housing costs and remove barriers to entry for all British Columbians. Let’s make market housing affordable and within the means of everyone.

British Columbians live in some of the most expensive real estate in North America. The high price of housing is no longer limited to just Greater Vancouver, but has extended to most of the populated areas across the province. In November 2010, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC along with industry and government partners hosted the first Housing Affordability Symposium. This event was ground breaking and brought together stakeholders from industry and all levels of government to openly discuss the issues and solutions to housing affordability in BC.

The results from the symposium and the roundtable discussions have been compiled into a follow-up report. This Action Plan will form the foundation for future discussions among all stakeholders. At this year’s Symposium we will re-examine and report back on the lessons learned, innovative solutions and how each of us has worked to Build a Better BC by addressing market housing affordability.

The Second Housing Affordability Symposium will follow up to the first event and provide issue specific workshops sharing ideas to balance housing costs requirements and community needs. This event will revisit the Action Plan, review our collective Progress Report results and provide additional roundtable discussions between various government leaders, industry professionals and other related stakeholders to result in a revised Action Plan to Address Market Housing Affordability.

Have your voice heard. Learn the issues. Build the solutions. Take action and register today for this critical event.

Further details can be found here. http://withinyourmeans.ca/

• Registration for the Second Annual Housing Affordability Symposium Now Online