Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART)
@ubchart.bsky.social
An award-winning research group that works toward evidence and data-based solutions to Canada’s housing crisis. https://hart.ubc.ca
The philosophy "growth pays for growth" completely ignores the facts that
1. EVERYONE benefits from improved infrastructure;
2. Improved infrastructure and amenities could improve property values for existing homes;
3. We have a desperate shortage of housing supply.
buff.ly/EwKVKfO
1. EVERYONE benefits from improved infrastructure;
2. Improved infrastructure and amenities could improve property values for existing homes;
3. We have a desperate shortage of housing supply.
buff.ly/EwKVKfO
'An egregious joke:' Metro Vancouver's record on trial as developers balk at 200% fee hike
Metro Vancouver is coming under growing scrutiny, as developers — and some politicians — oppose fee hikes on new home construction.
vancouversun.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:41 PM
The philosophy "growth pays for growth" completely ignores the facts that
1. EVERYONE benefits from improved infrastructure;
2. Improved infrastructure and amenities could improve property values for existing homes;
3. We have a desperate shortage of housing supply.
buff.ly/EwKVKfO
1. EVERYONE benefits from improved infrastructure;
2. Improved infrastructure and amenities could improve property values for existing homes;
3. We have a desperate shortage of housing supply.
buff.ly/EwKVKfO
Another reminder that we are allowing people to be evicted into homelessness on a scale that has never been documented before. Getting someone out of homelessness is much harder and more expensive than stopping them from becoming homeless in the first place.
buff.ly/BOQf28J
#onpoli #canpoli
buff.ly/BOQf28J
#onpoli #canpoli
‘Can’t afford life anymore’: Report highlights Ontario’s increase in homelessness
A reported increase in homelessness across Ontario is consistent with what’s being seen at the Downtown Mission of Windsor.
buff.ly
January 15, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Another reminder that we are allowing people to be evicted into homelessness on a scale that has never been documented before. Getting someone out of homelessness is much harder and more expensive than stopping them from becoming homeless in the first place.
buff.ly/BOQf28J
#onpoli #canpoli
buff.ly/BOQf28J
#onpoli #canpoli
While inclusionary zoning is not perfect policy, calling affordable housing "unnecessary red tape" seems a bit out of line. Ontario needs to build close to a million homes to get out of a deficit, and every project that pencils out matters, (cont'd)
buff.ly/VTykOcD
buff.ly/VTykOcD
Ford government pausing its own affordable housing policy, calling it ‘red tape’ | Globalnews.ca
The Ford government is delaying its own affordable housing measures in several major Ontario cities, calling the rules it wrote 'unnecessary red tape and requirements.'
globalnews.ca
January 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM
While inclusionary zoning is not perfect policy, calling affordable housing "unnecessary red tape" seems a bit out of line. Ontario needs to build close to a million homes to get out of a deficit, and every project that pencils out matters, (cont'd)
buff.ly/VTykOcD
buff.ly/VTykOcD
'He emphasized “there’s nothing illegal” about these practices, but “the rules and the systems we built produce those racialized outcomes that we are documenting through the study.'
buff.ly/nYOxRvc
buff.ly/nYOxRvc
Financialized landlords disproportionately apply to evict in Black neighbourhoods, study finds
Findings show the eviction applications rates were five times higher in high-income, majority Black neighbourhoods than financialized landlords’ citywide average.
www.thestar.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
'He emphasized “there’s nothing illegal” about these practices, but “the rules and the systems we built produce those racialized outcomes that we are documenting through the study.'
buff.ly/nYOxRvc
buff.ly/nYOxRvc
The cost of new #housing is, in large part, a policy decision. The outlined potential changes, even if only enacted temporarily, could reduce the cost of a new build by nearly a quarter million dollars.
buff.ly/TZ9hC5U
@missingmiddleca.bsky.social @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social
buff.ly/TZ9hC5U
@missingmiddleca.bsky.social @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social
Higher Home Prices or Lower Homebuilding Costs: The Choice Governments Can’t Avoid
How policy choices determine whether "q" rises through prices or costs
www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca
January 13, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The cost of new #housing is, in large part, a policy decision. The outlined potential changes, even if only enacted temporarily, could reduce the cost of a new build by nearly a quarter million dollars.
buff.ly/TZ9hC5U
@missingmiddleca.bsky.social @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social
buff.ly/TZ9hC5U
@missingmiddleca.bsky.social @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social
There is an existing gap of over 166,000 affordable homes in Metro Vancouver. BC Stats projects an extra 184,000 households in the region in the next 10 years.
And yet we will limit housing options because homes for these people are "boxy".
buff.ly/bq1TBHw
And yet we will limit housing options because homes for these people are "boxy".
buff.ly/bq1TBHw
There's a growing backlash against the outsized, 'boxy' apartment blocks being built in B.C.
Says one mayor: "They’re untenable. They don’t fit in with neighbourhoods. I know there are lot of upset people out there, and rightly so."
vancouversun.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:06 PM
There is an existing gap of over 166,000 affordable homes in Metro Vancouver. BC Stats projects an extra 184,000 households in the region in the next 10 years.
And yet we will limit housing options because homes for these people are "boxy".
buff.ly/bq1TBHw
And yet we will limit housing options because homes for these people are "boxy".
buff.ly/bq1TBHw
As of right zoning, protect tenants, curb land value speculation. A simple formula that could dramatically impact the housing landscape in Canada.
The Housing Crisis Is Solvable
British Columbia’s housing crisis is severe, but its root causes are familiar: exclusionary zoning, under-building, and chronic neglect of nonmarket housing. Economist Alex Hemingway’s proposals show…
buff.ly
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
As of right zoning, protect tenants, curb land value speculation. A simple formula that could dramatically impact the housing landscape in Canada.
Happy New Year! What's on your #housing wishlist for 2026? Ours are the recommendations from our workshop report, in which developers, non-profits, and communities came up with solutions to build more housing on public land: 1/3
Expanding the supply of Housing on Public Land: Solutions Report
The “Workshops to Expand Housing Supply on Public Land in Canada” project is one of the largest qualitative research projects of senior housing stakeholders in the country.
hart.ubc.ca
January 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Happy New Year! What's on your #housing wishlist for 2026? Ours are the recommendations from our workshop report, in which developers, non-profits, and communities came up with solutions to build more housing on public land: 1/3
The idea that municipalities "can't do any more" than approve housing is preposterous, because munis are in control of the elements that make a project feasible. If you add $$$ DCCs, there's no wonder developers aren't building - they can't afford to.
buff.ly/6ZRcb5X
#vanpoli #bcpoli
buff.ly/6ZRcb5X
#vanpoli #bcpoli
Opinion: How policy inaction could undo Metro Vancouver’s housing approvals boom
Presales are frozen, costs are soaring and approved projects are stalling. Here’s how municipal inaction is quietly choking Metro Vancouver’s housing supply.
bcbusiness.ca
January 5, 2026 at 5:22 PM
The idea that municipalities "can't do any more" than approve housing is preposterous, because munis are in control of the elements that make a project feasible. If you add $$$ DCCs, there's no wonder developers aren't building - they can't afford to.
buff.ly/6ZRcb5X
#vanpoli #bcpoli
buff.ly/6ZRcb5X
#vanpoli #bcpoli
Reposted by Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART)
New piece! For the second time in three years, Metro Vancouver has raised development charges just after another level of government lowered taxes on new housing, capturing the savings instead of lowering total costs.
Read Metro Van Strikes Again here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read Metro Van Strikes Again here: www.missingmiddleini...
December 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
New piece! For the second time in three years, Metro Vancouver has raised development charges just after another level of government lowered taxes on new housing, capturing the savings instead of lowering total costs.
Read Metro Van Strikes Again here: www.missingmiddleini...
Read Metro Van Strikes Again here: www.missingmiddleini...
Reposted by Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART)
The @ubchart.bsky.social team is developing a new digital map to quantify how much public land exists in cities and towns across B.C. and assess their suitability for affordable housing.
UBC team creating first provincewide inventory of public land
Interactive map for policymakers, developers and public to launch next summer
www.biv.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The @ubchart.bsky.social team is developing a new digital map to quantify how much public land exists in cities and towns across B.C. and assess their suitability for affordable housing.
HART researchers worked on a report on seniors in Canada.
Key findings:
💲 Seniors living in unsubsidized rental housing are in greatest housing need
🛠️ Seniors in homes needing major repairs are most likely homeowners w/o a mortgage
📉 Seniors in need also struggle with multiple activities daily
Key findings:
💲 Seniors living in unsubsidized rental housing are in greatest housing need
🛠️ Seniors in homes needing major repairs are most likely homeowners w/o a mortgage
📉 Seniors in need also struggle with multiple activities daily
www.canada.ca
December 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
HART researchers worked on a report on seniors in Canada.
Key findings:
💲 Seniors living in unsubsidized rental housing are in greatest housing need
🛠️ Seniors in homes needing major repairs are most likely homeowners w/o a mortgage
📉 Seniors in need also struggle with multiple activities daily
Key findings:
💲 Seniors living in unsubsidized rental housing are in greatest housing need
🛠️ Seniors in homes needing major repairs are most likely homeowners w/o a mortgage
📉 Seniors in need also struggle with multiple activities daily
“But our argument is that affordable housing is so important... that it’s worth that opportunity cost.”
Thanks to @jamimakan.bsky.social for the coverage of our BC Public Lands Map on @viawesome.bsky.social. Learn more about our upcoming project at buff.ly/qPOqXy5
Thanks to @jamimakan.bsky.social for the coverage of our BC Public Lands Map on @viawesome.bsky.social. Learn more about our upcoming project at buff.ly/qPOqXy5
UBC team creating first provincewide inventory of public land
Interactive map for policymakers, developers and public to launch next summer
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
“But our argument is that affordable housing is so important... that it’s worth that opportunity cost.”
Thanks to @jamimakan.bsky.social for the coverage of our BC Public Lands Map on @viawesome.bsky.social. Learn more about our upcoming project at buff.ly/qPOqXy5
Thanks to @jamimakan.bsky.social for the coverage of our BC Public Lands Map on @viawesome.bsky.social. Learn more about our upcoming project at buff.ly/qPOqXy5
How can one build efficiently and at scale if the requirements in each province and municipality are different, or even contradictory? In order for BCH, and the modular revolution, to transform housing in Canada, we have to simplify building codes and make them nationally applicable.
buff.ly/kN76FQi
buff.ly/kN76FQi
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
How can one build efficiently and at scale if the requirements in each province and municipality are different, or even contradictory? In order for BCH, and the modular revolution, to transform housing in Canada, we have to simplify building codes and make them nationally applicable.
buff.ly/kN76FQi
buff.ly/kN76FQi
If municipalities enabled the kind of #housing density that is desperately needed in their communities instead of working to ensure that multi-million dollar single family homes are protected just steps from downtown, perhaps the province wouldn't need this legislation. #bcpoli buff.ly/74k9Utq
Metro Vancouver mayors call for province to roll back housing legislation amid concerns about eroding autonomy
A group of 16 municipal leaders have written a letter to Premier David Eby voicing concerns about what they feel is an erosion of autonomy.
vancouversun.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
If municipalities enabled the kind of #housing density that is desperately needed in their communities instead of working to ensure that multi-million dollar single family homes are protected just steps from downtown, perhaps the province wouldn't need this legislation. #bcpoli buff.ly/74k9Utq
Exciting news out of Vancouver! Single stair and scissor stair amendments mean that housing can be built with greater efficiency and flexibly at a lower cost. We hope other cities take note and follow suit 🙏
vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
New Vancouver building rules aim to improve safety and housing supply
Vancouver approves new space-saving stair designs and Abandoned and Vacated Buildings By-law.
vancouver.ca
December 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Exciting news out of Vancouver! Single stair and scissor stair amendments mean that housing can be built with greater efficiency and flexibly at a lower cost. We hope other cities take note and follow suit 🙏
vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
vancouver.ca/news-calenda...
🚨TODAY🚨 Don't miss our prototype demonstration of the BC Public Lands Map today at 10am PT/1pm ET
We'll cover what the map is currently, where we're going, and why it matters in BC and how it can be expanded to other provinces and territories.
Register now: buff.ly/mLb96P5
#bcpoli #housing #land
We'll cover what the map is currently, where we're going, and why it matters in BC and how it can be expanded to other provinces and territories.
Register now: buff.ly/mLb96P5
#bcpoli #housing #land
December 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
🚨TODAY🚨 Don't miss our prototype demonstration of the BC Public Lands Map today at 10am PT/1pm ET
We'll cover what the map is currently, where we're going, and why it matters in BC and how it can be expanded to other provinces and territories.
Register now: buff.ly/mLb96P5
#bcpoli #housing #land
We'll cover what the map is currently, where we're going, and why it matters in BC and how it can be expanded to other provinces and territories.
Register now: buff.ly/mLb96P5
#bcpoli #housing #land
There is enough public land to house hundreds of thousands of people in secure, non-profit housing in BC alone. The BC Public Land Map is the first free, provincewide assessment of public land at every order of gov.
Don't miss the chance to see a preview tomorrow: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Don't miss the chance to see a preview tomorrow: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
There is enough public land to house hundreds of thousands of people in secure, non-profit housing in BC alone. The BC Public Land Map is the first free, provincewide assessment of public land at every order of gov.
Don't miss the chance to see a preview tomorrow: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Don't miss the chance to see a preview tomorrow: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART)
UBC's HART team (@ubchart.bsky.social), based at Allard Law, is developing the first province-wide inventory of public land. Set to launch in summer 2026, the BC Public Lands Map will help governments and developers spot underused sites that could support new housing. news.ubc.ca/2025/12/ubc-...
Canada needs 22 million homes fast. UBC and partners are delivering solutions - UBC News
Pushing the economy forward: UBC’s joint efforts with industry and local communities are accelerating housing solutions, lowering costs and creating jobs
news.ubc.ca
December 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
UBC's HART team (@ubchart.bsky.social), based at Allard Law, is developing the first province-wide inventory of public land. Set to launch in summer 2026, the BC Public Lands Map will help governments and developers spot underused sites that could support new housing. news.ubc.ca/2025/12/ubc-...
TUESDAY: Learn what we've been up to for the last few months 👀
Be among the first to see a prototype that will transform how and where we build.
Register now for the BC Public Lands Map Demo: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Be among the first to see a prototype that will transform how and where we build.
Register now for the BC Public Lands Map Demo: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
December 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
TUESDAY: Learn what we've been up to for the last few months 👀
Be among the first to see a prototype that will transform how and where we build.
Register now for the BC Public Lands Map Demo: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Be among the first to see a prototype that will transform how and where we build.
Register now for the BC Public Lands Map Demo: ubc.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
'"We’re connecting need with opportunity,” says Dr. Craig Jones, HART associate director. “That’s how communities can move faster"'
Catch HART in news.ubc.ca's new piece on how researchers are supporting solutions to the housing crisis.
Catch HART in news.ubc.ca's new piece on how researchers are supporting solutions to the housing crisis.
Canada needs 22 million homes fast. UBC and partners are delivering solutions - UBC News
UBC is partnering with governments, industry and communities to accelerate affordable housing—unlocking land, cutting costs and creating jobs through innovative tools, modular construction and climate-resilient...
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 4:57 PM
'"We’re connecting need with opportunity,” says Dr. Craig Jones, HART associate director. “That’s how communities can move faster"'
Catch HART in news.ubc.ca's new piece on how researchers are supporting solutions to the housing crisis.
Catch HART in news.ubc.ca's new piece on how researchers are supporting solutions to the housing crisis.
⏱️ ONE WEEK AWAY: be among the first to see a demo of our BC Public Land Map! We'll be showing you what we're doing, and how this tool could support the development of thousands of affordable homes in BC, and what could be done across Canada.
Register here:
Register here:
Register: BCPLM Prototype Demo Webinar
Join us to see a live demonstration of our new BCPLM prototype, and learn how this could impact policy in BC and nationwide
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
⏱️ ONE WEEK AWAY: be among the first to see a demo of our BC Public Land Map! We'll be showing you what we're doing, and how this tool could support the development of thousands of affordable homes in BC, and what could be done across Canada.
Register here:
Register here:
The Neha Review Panel has released its report and recommendations on housing for women, Two-Spirit, Trans, and gender diverse people, and one of the recommendations is to adopt and apply HART's Housing Needs Assessment framework.
Read the report: buff.ly/FEqu2Rm
#housing #canpoli @wnhhn.bsky.social
Read the report: buff.ly/FEqu2Rm
#housing #canpoli @wnhhn.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The Neha Review Panel has released its report and recommendations on housing for women, Two-Spirit, Trans, and gender diverse people, and one of the recommendations is to adopt and apply HART's Housing Needs Assessment framework.
Read the report: buff.ly/FEqu2Rm
#housing #canpoli @wnhhn.bsky.social
Read the report: buff.ly/FEqu2Rm
#housing #canpoli @wnhhn.bsky.social
You know when researchers, non-profits and governments agree on something, it is worth trying. Our workshop report is the result of over 40 interviews, with concrete solutions that every level of government can implement. Read more: buff.ly/86848nF
buff.ly/XqXBO4s
#housing #canpoli
buff.ly/XqXBO4s
#housing #canpoli
I’ve studied housing for over 15 years. These Canadian towns are showing us how to fix the crisis
We need a variety of approaches to our inescapable housing problem.
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
You know when researchers, non-profits and governments agree on something, it is worth trying. Our workshop report is the result of over 40 interviews, with concrete solutions that every level of government can implement. Read more: buff.ly/86848nF
buff.ly/XqXBO4s
#housing #canpoli
buff.ly/XqXBO4s
#housing #canpoli
We're excited to see BCH use affordability thresholds. We wish they used HART's income categories exactly, but that shouldn't stop you from getting instant data. We threw together a spreadsheet that calculates BCH's thresholds for you.
No math required.
buff.ly/IhQmj8Q
No math required.
buff.ly/IhQmj8Q
November 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
We're excited to see BCH use affordability thresholds. We wish they used HART's income categories exactly, but that shouldn't stop you from getting instant data. We threw together a spreadsheet that calculates BCH's thresholds for you.
No math required.
buff.ly/IhQmj8Q
No math required.
buff.ly/IhQmj8Q