The cost to build social housing has become prohibitive for many not-for-profit housing organizations, but an innovative approach between a developer, a credit union and a housing provider proves that new ways of thinking are needed to build more social housing in our communities. 

On this episode of Searching for Solutions, Lori Beech, Executive Director of Bethlehem Housing and Support Services talks about a unique partnership with PenTerra Development and First Ontario Credit Union that created the largest social housing project in Niagara. It's a new way to finance, build and maintain a housing complex that gives the housing provider the space and resources to help those in need. 

Building large scale housing complexes takes a lot of time. From conceptual designs to government approvals to shovels in ground - a 10+ storey building can take between 5 - 7 years to complete. As governments develop plans to build millions on new housing units in Canada,  high rise housing structures will be a key piece of meeting this housing targets. 

On this episode of Searching for Solution, we learn more about the challenges of building high rise housing structures with Shaheryar Mian, Vice President of LJM Developments. LJM has built in many cities in Southern Ontario and Shaheryar has the experience to explain how improvements to planning can accelerate the growth of much needed higher density housing in cities big and small. 

One of the key parts of the housing crisis is affordability. On this episode of Searching for Solutions, we feature two entrepreneurs who are using design and new technologies to provide purpose built homes for people. 

Keith Gowans is the CEO of Aloft Housing , a modular design and manufacturing company that creates custom units that can built above existing parking lots and open spaces and can be placed in backyards as secondary suites. 

Drew Toth, CEO of the Toth Group and Elevate Living is focused on building studio units with in a smaller footprint that features all the amenities needed for someone to live comfortably.

With the housing crisis gripping so many communities, building styles and designs will be critical to get us through it. 

In this episode of Searching for Solutions, we take a look at Canada's Housing Crisis. With the help of Mike Moffatt,  Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy Group at Ivey School, Western University and Senior Director, Policy and Innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute, we examine the causes of the national housing crisis and what all levels of government can do to turn back the rising tide of housing insecurity. 

I’ve been following Mike for a while on social media and his ability to synthesize data into easy to understand facts was very helpful in my former role as Mayor of St. Catharines. If can better understand how we got into the housing crisis, we can better design the solutions to solve this growing issue in communities big and small across the country. 

This is the premiere episode of Searching for Solutions with Walter Sendzik. Former mayor of a mid-size city in Canada, Walter created the Compassionate City Project in St. Catharines during his time as mayor. With a focus on transforming the community and helping those experiencing some of life's most difficult challenges - Walter brought a new lens to some of society's more pressing challenges. After eight years as mayor and witnessing first hand the impacts of those struggling with mental health, additions, homelessness, food insecurity and more, Walter launched Searching for Solutions with Bell Media in partnership with FirstOntario Credit Union in 2023. 

Searching for Solutions focuses on talking  with people and organizations that are disrupting the social services space - creating real, substantive and long lasting programs and services for the most vulnerable in our communities. Each episode, Walter interviews the people making a real difference - from business, government, faith-based groups, academia and the social services.