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1. Land-use regulation in “superstar” U.S. cities—same old sad story

   The key to understanding housing affordability woes in our most expensive cities is understanding the extent that local regulatory environments hamper the construction of new homes. To do this, however, one must first measure local ...

2. Edmonton should eliminate minimum parking requirements—other cities should follow suit

   Mandating parking can leave less room for housing. ...

3. B.C. government acknowledges how land-use regulations help determine home prices

   The Government of British Columbia recently released a report about the extent and effects of money laundering in the province’s real estate sector. It’s understandably difficult to measure criminal activity specifically designed to go ...

4. Ontario housing measures—short-term gain for long-term pain?

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, August 27, 2017 The Wynne government this summer introduced a raft of measures aimed at reining in the price of buying or renting a home in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). As laudable as this goal may be, the government’s ...

5. By targeting foreign buyers, Queen’s Park misses the point

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, July 30, 2017 According to a recent announcement from Queen’s Park, 4.7 per cent of properties purchased in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe (between April 24 and May 26) were acquired by foreign individuals or corporations. ...

6. How an NDP-Green government can free up B.C.’s housing supply

   Appeared in the Vancouver Sun, June 12, 2017 In the wake of last month’s election, the NDP and Green Party appear poised to form the next government in Victoria. And yet, in their 10-page agreement, (which has sweeping implications for the future of ...

7. Ontario’s double-squeeze on new homes

   Appeared in the Toronto Sun, May 12, 2017 As public concern over skyrocketing home prices in Toronto reaches a fever pitch, governments are quick to point to external factors—foreign buyers, real estate speculators, supposed greedy landlords—but rarely ...

8. Housing in Vancouver—the city can’t be both low-density and affordable

   Appeared in the Vancouver Province, May 4, 2017 Housing prices in B.C. have caused a media frenzy, as analysts, pundits and activists wrestle with how to improve affordability in Vancouver. So far, the discussion has fixated on foreign buyers, speculators ...

9. New Homes and Red Tape in British Columbia: Residential Land-Use Regulation in the Lower Mainland

   As an increasing number of people move to Canada’s major cities, high housing prices persist in its most desirable markets. With growing concerns about housing affordability and prices, understanding how public policy affects the supply of new homes is ...

10. Once again, Mr. Sousa, taxing foreigners is not the answer to Toronto’s housing woes

    Appeared in the Toronto Sun, March 17, 2017 The idea of a tax on foreign homebuyers has reared its head in Ontario once again. After British Columbia last year announced it would tax foreign buyers an extra 15 per cent on residential real estate in Metro ...