CMHC's National Housing Conference November 21 & 22

Earlier this year, I received an invitation from CMHC Ottawa to attend a national housing conference to be held in November. For 10 years between 1972 and 1981, I worked for CMHC in Ottawa, Vancouver and Toronto and often attended CMHC events. However, many years have passed, so I happily accepted the invitation.
      Unfortunately, time does not allow me to summarize all that I heard and learned. However, key takeaways were that the drop in housing prices that we are experiencing in Vancouver is not unique to BC. Prices have also been dropping in Sweden, UK, Australia, and elsewhere around the world where prices increased dramatically over the past few years.
     Also, there are some intriguing financing models being developed to help finance social housing, and allow people to invest. One Australian company BrickX https://www.brickx.com has developed an interesting way to allow millenials and others to invest in residential property without actually buying a property.

     I decided to speak about the pros and cons of Inclusionary Zoning, since while CMHC is promising significant new public funding for social housing, there will never be enough money to go around and IZ has a role to play, as long as it's responsive to market realities. In this regard, I spoke in favour of 'poor doors'!

        Below is the preliminary conference program. (there were some substititions) This will hopefully convey what CMHC considers to be the most important topics of the day when it comes to affordable housing.

NATIONAL HOUSING CONFERENCE
DRAFT AGENDA NOVEMBER 21-22, 2018

Introductory Remarks
Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Keynote Address: Douglas Cardinal, OC, Canadian Architect
Creating socially inclusive communities through people-centred planning, design and architecture
How is the concept of social inclusion evolving in Canada? How can we adapt planning processes to meet the needs of a community? Hear from renowned and celebrated Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal as he discusses his architectural planning process and explores the impacts of community-centred planning and design on social inclusivity– especially for Indigenous peoples. Cardinal will also speak to the importance of traditional practices, culturally-appropriate designs and the significance of including women as integral decision-makers.

Plenary Panel 1: A place to call home or a place to accumulate wealth? Inequality and exclusion in housing markets
For investors, housing has become a commodity - a means to secure and accumulate wealth. However, for most households, income and wealth inequalities have created an environment where it’s become increasingly difficult to find a place to live in dignity and thrive in a community. Four experts bring the perspectives of academia, government, politics and policy to understanding market needs and explore solutions to rising inequality and social exclusion.
Speakers:
 Moderator: TBC
 Evan Siddall, CEO, CMHC
 Manuel Aalbers, Professor, U of Leuven
 Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, OHCHR
 Michael Oxley, Professor, Cambridge University

Lunch and Presentation of Housing Research Awards
Beginning at 1:00 p.m. Evan Siddall will present the Housing Research Awards to the inaugural recipients

Breakout 1A: Designing global cities: Planning solutions to population growth, affordability and inequalities
From Vancouver to Barcelona via Toronto, rapid population growth is fuelling housing shortages and social exclusion in cities, widening the gap between the “haves” developers and the “have nots” citizens. This panel explores how innovative design and planning solutions can limit social polarization and guarantee access to more affordable housing for all global citizens. Hear from architects and planning experts about their own projects and how they are creating housing that puts citizens first.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Manuel Aalbers, Professor , University of Leuven
 Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of World Council on City Data
 Micheal Geller, President of The Geller Group, Vancouver
 César Ramírez Martinell, Architect & Planner, Chairman & Founder of Barcelona Housing System, Barcelona
 Ana Bailão, Deputy Mayor, Councillor, Ward 18 - Davenport Toronto's Housing Advocate

Breakout 1B: It takes two: How government and capital markets can boost affordability and choice
Government support alone isn’t enough to keep our cities vibrant and affordable – support from capital markets is key. In this session, Canadian and international panellists examine innovative ways that private and public partners can work together to create sustainable and affordable financing options. Gain insight on energy-efficient mortgages, social impact bonds, cost-effective funding partnerships and discover how Canada can take a leading role.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Tim Nash, Founder of Good Investing, Toronto
 Julie Lawson, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University, Australia
 Luca Bertalot, Secretary General of EMF-ECBC, Belgium
 José de Jesus Gómez Dorantes, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of FHipo, Mexico
 Louise Stevens, Treasurer, CMHC

Breakout 1C: All housing is social housing: Investing in inclusive communities
What is exclusion and how do we overcome it? Our panellists bring their diverse points of view to help you better understand the unique challenges of achieving social-inclusivity. Whether it’s accessible housing, mixed income housing or housing located close to services and amenities – get inspired and learn more about the innovative ways Canadians are contributing to fostering access, acceptance and integration in our communities.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Emily Paradis, Senior Research Associate – U of T, Lived Experience Advisory Council of CAEH
 Edith Cyr - Director Bâtir son Quartier, Montreal
 Avvy Go, Clinic Director of Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
 EM Pijl - Assistant Professor, University of Lethbridge, Alberta
 Debbie McGraw, Housing Locator, Housing First Program
 Cheyanne Ratnam, Project Coordinator, A Way Home

Breakout 1D: Human rights based approach to housing
A key element of the National Housing Strategy is the Government’s commitment to progressively realize a right to adequate housing through legislation and initiatives that focus on the needs of vulnerable populations. This panel will consider what systemic housing barriers exist and propose solutions for expanding the participation of marginalized groups in housing policy and decision making.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Jeff Morrison, Executive Director, CHRA
 Martin Gallié, Professor, UCAM
 Kristi Mader, Executive Director, Ready to Rent BC
 Charlene Gagnon, Manager of Advocacy Research and New Initiatives, YWCA Halifax

Day 2: Keynote Address: Danny Dorling, Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford
Turning the tide on social inequality: The need for inclusive housing and sustainable communities
London is dealing with the impact of a changing economic landscape, including disruptive capital flows that are leading to higher home prices, rents and housing costs. This is having spill over effect on other aspects of society like health and education. Dorling brings his expertise to help us understand what’s happening in London, what solutions could have an impact and how they could inspire other global cities.

Plenary Panel 2: Balancing Stability, Growth, and Inclusiveness: How governments can manage systemic risks and maintain healthy housing markets
Price escalation, affordability issues in major cities and high household indebtedness – Canada isn’t alone in experiencing these housing market issues. Australia, Ireland and Sweden have all been responding to similar problems in different, innovative ways. Top central bank and supervisory officials from these countries join us to discuss their experiences and bring their perspectives on the challenge of formulating policy while balancing sometimes competing public policy objectives.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Romy Bowers, CMHC
 Carolyn Wilkins, Senior Deputy Governor, Bank of Canada
 Carl Schwartz, Chief Representative New York Office, Reserve Bank of Australia
 Erik Thedéen, Director General, Finansinspektionen (Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority)
 Robert Kelly, Deputy Head of Financial Stability, Central Bank of Ireland
     
Breakout 3A: Exploring solutions to supply in housing markets
Rising home prices in some Canadian urban areas have been linked to relatively weak supply responsiveness. This panel will highlight the importance of understanding the market, the impact of policy on land and home supply, as well as explore ways to improve supply responsiveness. It will also look at the potential for cooperation and partnerships to help overcome supply challenges in cities across the country.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Aled Ab Iorwerth, CMHC
 Tom Davidoff, Director, UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate, Suander School of Business
 Dan Garrison, City of Vancouver
 Enid Slack, Director, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance
 Claire Noble, City of Calgary

Breakout 3B: The co-operative community housing model: Still strong after 50 years
Housing co-ops offer quality, affordable, community-oriented housing to over 250,000 people in Canada and yet, there remains significant unmet demand for affordable and co-operative housing. Leaders in co-op housing from across the country explain how co-operatives are evolving to adapt to current housing market trends. They will also discuss what it will take for co-ops to remain modern and relevant moving forward.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Blair Hamilton, Program Manager, Manitoba, Co-operative Housing Federation
 Louis Philipe Myre, Director of Consulting Services, FECHIMM
 Christyne Lavoie, Agente de Recherche, Université de Sherbrooke
 Thom Armstrong – Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC
 
Breakout 3C: Forging new partnerships: Collaboration and creativity in Indigenous housing
In the spirit of reconciliation, governments, academia, the non-profit and private sector as well as community organisations are working to build new relationships with Indigenous peoples. In this panel, we discuss ways to advance partnerships and relationships in order to improve Indigenous housing outcomes on reserve, and in urban, rural, and northern areas.Hear first-hand about the successes and challenges of these partnerships and discover creative ways of tackling complex housing issues.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Trina Wall, CMHC
 Shirley Thompson, Associate Professor, University of Manitoba
 Carolynn Constant, Mino Bimaadiziwin Partnership
 Alex Wilson, Academic Director of the Aboriginal Education Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan + co-presenter
 Nancy Martin Executive Director, Miziwe Biik
 Ricky Houghton, CEO, He Korowai Trust, Kaitaia, New Zealand
 Robert Buyers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Namerind Housing Corporation, Regina

Breakout 3D: Building an affordable future for rental housing
For the first time in over four decades, levels of homeownership in Canada have been declining. Demand for ownership is being outpaced by growing demand for rental housing, which is pushing rents higher and deepening housing affordability woes. Hear from experts as they provide a better understanding of the different factors influencing affordability issues and discuss the potential role of policy in contributing to solutions.
Speaker:
 Moderator: Simplice Nono, CMHC
 Brian Clifford, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, Vancouver
 Catherine Leviten-Reid, Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia
 Nathanael Lauster, University of British Columbia
 Jacob Cosman, John Hopkins University, Maryland

Breakout 4A: The life and death of smart growth: Will a lack of demand kill high density plans?
Municipalities across Canada are continuing to embrace smart growth policies that promote smaller, higher density housing surrounded by amenities. Yet, many consumers are still choosing to buy large single-family inner city and suburban homes. Our panellists dive in to this discrepancy and unpack the connection between what consumer want, are willing to buy/rent, and what cities are prioritizing. A deeper understanding of this issue will help guide relevant solutions for municipal growth policies.
Speakers:
Moderator: Michael C. Oram, CMHC
• Cheryll Case, CP Planning
• Ren Thomas, Professor, Dalhousie University
• Stu Niebergall, Regina Home Builders’ Association
• Oualid Moussouni, P

Breakout 4B: Environmentally-sustainable housing for vulnerable Canadians
In this session, affordable housing providers showcase the ways they have balanced meeting client needs with environmentally-sustainable objectives and requirements. Providers share how to reconcile increased capital costs of ‘green’ housing projects with providing as many units as possible. They’ll also demonstrate how their projects are delivering tangible results since implementation and explore how investments in sustainability can translate to reduced operating costs.
Speakers:
 Moderator:
 Raymond Sullivan, Executive Director, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation
 Daniel Pearl, co-Founder of l’OEUF (L’Office de l’Électisme Urbain et Fonctionnel)
 Cameron MacDonald, Executive Director, Right at Home Housing Society

Breakout 4C: Reaching Home: A new federal response to homelessness in Canada
Over the next 10 years, the National Housing Strategy aims to cut chronic homelessness in half. Employment Social Development Canada (ESDC) will launch a new federal homelessness program in April 2019 to help meet this goal. Learn new details about key elements of the program and provide feedback. Additionally, gain insight from community partners and explore how the program will improve outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Abra Adamo, CMHC
 Natasha Pateman, Executive Director, Homelessness Partnering Strategy, ESDC
 Susan McGee, Executive Director, Homeward Trust, Edmonton
 Jim Fowler, Executive Director, homeEd, Edmonton
 Amanda DiFalco, Manager, Homelessness Policy and Programs, City of Hamilton
 Dean Waterfield, Senior Director, Housing and Homelessness, Wesley, Hamilton
 
Breakout 4D: The future of social housing
The National Housing Strategy identifies a number of core priorities, including improving the sustainability of community housing and building the capacity of housing providers. Join this opportunity to discuss the challenges, opportunities and the vision for a future of more sustainable, inclusive social housing.
Speakers:
 Moderator: Julia Markovick, CMHC
 Steve Pomeroy, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research and Education, Carleton University
 Karen Hemmingson, Chief Research Officer, BC Housing and Housing Partnerships Canada
 Kevin Albers, CEO, M’akola Development Services

Plenary Panel 3: Deriving social outcomes from private capital
Social finance investments mobilize capital from a variety of investors, such as charitable foundations and high net worth individuals into projects that deliver positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. Challenges and constraints - such as lack of investor readiness and limited data on results - have impacted growth in the Canadian market. This panel will look at the role of social finance in fostering more socially inclusive communities and how government can harness the full potential of private capital.
Speakers:
 Moderator: CMHC Chair, Derek Ballantyne
 Nancy Neamtan, Strategic Advisor, Territoires innovants en économie sociale et solidaire
 Shayne Ramsay, CEO, BC Housing and Chair, Housing Partnership Canada
 Tamara Vrooman, CEO, Vancity
 Michael Oxley, Professor, Cambridge University

Closing Remarks
Evan Siddall, CEO, CMHC