A NEW MODEL FOR THE DELIVERY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
We’ve created a new model for the building, financing, and delivery of affordable housing. We bring expertise in placemaking and urban planning, land development and financing, construction management and operations to this task. We are passionate about creating and sustaining thriving communities.
Through a range of partnerships and construction innovations we are delivering affordable housing at a significant scale. Our partners include municipalities, faith groups, universities, not-for-profits, and developers.
We build at scale
Now is not the time for incremental interventions to the housing affordability crisis; dramatic change is required. Today most affordable housing is delivered through models that require significant government support. This approach is producing thousands of new affordable homes per year (some of which will be converted to market-rate housing in as little as 15 years), at a time when the need is for hundreds of thousands of new affordable homes. Our model delivers housing at this scale.
Purpose-built rental homes
We believe in building stable homes for people rather than financial vehicles for investors. Our homes stay affordable in perpetuity, unlike current models which frequently constrain the affordability period. Since we operate and maintain the homes we build for their entire lifespan, we provide for a maintenance fund so that our buildings remain in an excellent state of repair. In addition, we are passionate about creating homes that embrace the highest standards in green design. Ecological restoration and the promotion of biodiversity are key components to our model.
Collaborations with like-minded partners
Our model requires like-minded landowners who are passionate about placemaking, sustainability, and affordable housing. We design deal structures that are specific to each partnership. We will lease land, purchase land, or engage in joint ventures.
Our limited dividend model
Our model embraces the best of private sector expertise; we have worked closely with our partners to determine the minimum return necessary to attract private capital to build housing at scale. This limited dividend approach is the foundation of our model. In our communities, as costs are reduced and avoided through efficiencies and incentives, we drive deeper levels of affordability.
Homes where everyone will want to live
Drawing on examples of excellent communities in cities around the world that we have studied and toured, we know that affordable housing can -- and should be -- beautiful. We work with award-winning Canadian architects to design homes that maximize daylight, are laid out with great spaces for living, working and playing, and are sustainable for the entire lifespan of the building.