New Housing Alternatives

In this episode of the New Housing Alternatives podcast, hosts Cherise Berda and Ren Thomas are joined by Jill Atkey, CEO of the BC NonProfit Housing Association, to explore the critical role of nonprofit and cooperative housing in addressing Canada’s affordability crisis. Through a policy and advocacy lens, the conversation unpacks the history, challenges, and opportunities facing the sector, with a special focus on British Columbia’s unique approach and recent federal initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the historical context of affordable housing in Canada, including the impact of federal disinvestment in the 1990s.
• Identify the structure and scale of nonprofit and cooperative housing in BC and how it compares nationally.
• Examine the benefits of cross-sector collaboration among nonprofit, cooperative, and Indigenous housing organizations.
• Analyze the significance of new funding mechanisms like the BC Rental Protection Fund and the Canada Rental Protection Fund.
• Discuss the potential of the Build Canada Homes program and the evolving role of government in supporting nonprofit housing growth.
• Reflect on the long-term benefits of nonprofit and co-op housing for affordability, security, and sector resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Nonprofit and cooperative housing organizations are essential partners in delivering affordable housing, especially in BC where provincial investment has been strong.
• Collaboration across the nonprofit, co-op, and Indigenous housing sectors amplifies advocacy and education efforts, making it easier for governments to respond.
• New funding programs at the provincial and federal levels are enabling nonprofits to acquire and preserve affordable housing, preventing financialization and rent spikes.
• The Build Canada Homes program signals a renewed federal interest in supporting nonprofit housing, with a focus on flexibility, long-term planning, and portfolio growth.
• Nonprofit and co-op housing models offer long-term affordability and security, leveraging assets for sector growth and reducing reliance on government ownership.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Hosts, guest, and episode overview 
02:00 – The history of affordable housing policy in Canada 
05:00 – The structure and scale of nonprofit housing in BC 
08:00 – Provincial investment and the growth of nonprofit housing 
11:00 – Collaboration: Nonprofit, co-op, and Indigenous housing organizations  
14:00 – The BC Rental Protection Fund and its impact 
17:00 – National implications: The Canada Rental Protection Fund 
20:00 – The Build Canada Homes program and future directions 
23:00 – Long-term benefits of nonprofit and co-op housing 
25:00 – Resources, further learning, and closing remarks

New Housing Alternatives is made possible with the support of the New Housing Alternatives grant, led by Alan Walks and Susannah Bunce, based at the University of Toronto. Explore our Vision & Objectives and Research Clusters & Projects, and subscribe to our blog at the link below: https://newhousingalternatives.ca/blog/

Dive into the complexities of affordable housing in Canada with this episode, which unpacks the terminology, challenges, and policy debates shaping the nation’s housing landscape. Through expert interviews and data-driven discussion, listeners will gain a foundational understanding of what “affordable housing” really means, why definitions matter, and how different models and government roles impact the availability and accessibility of homes. This episode is ideal for anyone interested in public policy, urban planning, or the future of housing in Canada.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various definitions of "affordable housing" and why clarity matters.
• Distinguish between market, non-market, community, and social housing.
• Explore the current landscape of housing supply in Canada and the mismatch with actual needs.
• Examine the critical role of federal involvement in addressing the housing crisis.
• Identify actionable policy recommendations for improving housing affordability and supply.

Key Discussion Points:

• The ambiguity of "affordable housing" and its implications for policy and public understanding.
• The evolution of terminology: from social housing to community and non-market housing.
• The motivations and business models behind market vs. non-market housing providers.
• Data on what types of homes are being built in Canada and who they serve.
• The importance of specifying targets for community/non-market housing within broader supply goals.
• The economic and social costs of inaction on affordable housing and homelessness.
• Recommendations for federal leadership, nonprofit engagement, and coordinated action.

Takeaways:

• "Affordable" is a relative term; policy must focus on affordability for those most in need.
• Non-market and community housing play a unique, essential role in long-term affordability.
• Federal leadership and targeted funding are crucial to reversing the decline in affordable housing stock.
• A healthy housing system requires a full range of options, not just more units.

Chapters:
0:00:06 – Introduction and Host Backgrounds  
0:00:27 – The Problem with "Affordable Housing": Definitions and Confusion 
0:02:22 – Ray Sullivan on Income-Based Affordability and Policy Implications  
0:04:04 – Political Platforms and the Use of "Affordable" in Canada  
0:05:44 – Market, Non-Market, Community, and Social Housing: Terminology and Evolution  
0:08:12 – Private vs. Nonprofit Motivations in Housing Development 
0:11:09 – Current Housing Supply: What’s Being Built and Who It Serves (Alex Flynn)  
0:13:39 – The Mismatch Between Housing Supply and Actual Need  
0:15:42 – The Role of Federal Government and the Shrinking Share of Non-Market Housing  
0:18:52 – Policy Recommendations: Targets, Funding, and Federal Leadership  
0:20:14 – The Importance of Nonprofit Providers and Federal Lands  
0:22:28 – Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

New Housing Alternatives is made possible with the support of the New Housing Alternatives grant, led by Alan Walks and Susannah Bunce, based at the University of Toronto. Explore our Vision & Objectives and Research Clusters & Projects, and subscribe to our blog at the link below: https://newhousingalternatives.ca/blog/