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Understanding 9/11Finding Room: Options for a Canadian Rental Housing Strategy, 2004, by John David Hulchanski & Michael Shapcott, editors, Toronto: CUCS Press, University of Toronto, Centre for Urban and Community Studies.
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John David Hulchanski & Michael Shapcott, editors (2004). Finding room: Policy options for a Canadian rental housing strategy. Toronto: University of Toronto, Centre for Urban and Community Studies, CUCS Press (since 2018, School of Cities, University of Toronto). ISBN 0-7727-1433-9
Finding Room is the first Canadian book to focus solely on the question of how to provide affordable rental housing for low-income households. Two dozen authors — from business leaders to university researchers to representatives of the Aboriginal community — address this question.
"Finding Room: Options for a Canadian Rental Housing Strategy" is a comprehensive book edited by J. David Hulchanski and Michael Shapcott, published in 2004 by the University of Toronto's Centre for Urban and Community Studies. The book delves into the challenges and opportunities in the Canadian rental housing market, offering insights and policy recommendations to address the issues faced in this sector. Here are 10 key issues covered in the book:
1) Historical Context: The book begins by providing a historical overview of rental housing in Canada, tracing its evolution from the early settlement period to the post-World War II era. It examines the impact of policy decisions, economic changes, and demographic shifts on the availability and affordability of rental housing.
2) Declining Rental Housing Stock: The book addresses the declining availability of rental housing, particularly in major urban centers. It explores the reasons behind this decline, including conversion of rental units into condominiums, demolition, and lack of new construction, leading to a shortage of affordable rental options.
3) Affordability Crisis: One of the central issues discussed in the book is the affordability crisis in Canadian rental housing. The authors examine the increasing gap between income levels and rental costs, which has resulted in a significant proportion of households facing housing affordability challenges.
4) Social and Economic Impacts: The book explores the social and economic impacts of the rental housing crisis. It discusses how unaffordable and insecure housing negatively affects individuals and families, leading to increased poverty, homelessness, and social inequality. The authors highlight the importance of stable and affordable housing for overall well-being and social inclusion.
5) Market Forces: The book examines the role of market forces in shaping the rental housing landscape. It explores how factors such as gentrification, real estate speculation, and the influence of global capital impact the availability and affordability of rental units. The authors analyze the implications of these forces on housing inequality and urban communities.
6) Policy Options: "Finding Room" presents a range of policy options and strategies to address the rental housing crisis. It discusses the effectiveness of various approaches, including rent control, social housing initiatives, cooperative housing models, and the role of non-profit organizations in providing affordable rental housing. The book emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and coordinated rental housing strategy.
7) Government Intervention: The authors explore the role of government intervention in rental housing. They discuss the importance of policy measures to regulate the market, protect tenants' rights, and ensure the provision of affordable housing options. The book examines successful government initiatives from other countries and discusses their applicability to the Canadian context.
8) Partnerships and Collaboration: "Finding Room" emphasizes the significance of partnerships and collaboration between the government, private sector, and community organizations in addressing the rental housing crisis. It highlights successful examples of collaboration and discusses the benefits of fostering strong relationships between stakeholders to develop sustainable and inclusive housing strategies.
9) Regional Disparities: The book acknowledges the regional disparities in the rental housing market across Canada. It explores the variations in rental housing challenges and opportunities between different provinces and cities. The authors emphasize the need for localized solutions that consider the unique characteristics and dynamics of each region.
10) Future Directions: The book concludes by outlining potential future directions for Canadian rental housing policy. It highlights the importance of long-term planning, data collection, and ongoing monitoring to inform evidence-based decision-making. The authors discuss the need for a multi-faceted approach that addresses not only housing supply and affordability but also social, economic, and environmental considerations.
"Finding Room: Options for a Canadian Rental Housing Strategy" contributes to the discourse on rental housing policy and urban development in Canada. By examining the historical context, identifying key challenges, and proposing policy options, the book provides valuable insights to policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to address the rental housing crisis. The comprehensive analysis of the issues surrounding rental housing in Canada, along with the recommended strategies and policy options, serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and advocates in their efforts to develop effective solutions.
The book encourages a holistic and multidimensional approach to rental housing policy, recognizing the interconnectedness of housing with broader social and economic issues. It emphasizes the need for policies that not only increase the supply of affordable rental units but also address income inequality, promote community development, and protect tenants' rights.
Furthermore, "Finding Room" underscores the importance of ongoing research and data collection to monitor the impact of policies and assess their effectiveness. It calls for the establishment of robust monitoring mechanisms and evaluation frameworks to ensure that rental housing strategies are continuously adapted and refined based on evidence and feedback from stakeholders.
Ultimately, the book advocates for a Canadian rental housing strategy that embraces affordability, accessibility, sustainability, and social equity. It aims to inspire dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, housing advocates, and community organizations to develop and implement innovative solutions that can create a more inclusive and equitable rental housing system in Canada.
"Finding Room: Options for a Canadian Rental Housing Strategy" remains a relevant and influential resource in the field of housing policy and urban studies. Its insights and recommendations continue to inform discussions and shape the discourse on rental housing in Canada, contributing to ongoing efforts to address the challenges and ensure affordable and adequate rental housing for all Canadians.
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J. David Hulchanski is director of the Centre for Urban and Community Studies and professor of housing and community development in the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. In the 1980s he was a professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia and Director of the UBC Centre for Human Settlements. He has a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in urban planning. In 1997 he was appointed to the only endowed chair in housing studies in North America, the Dr. Chow Yei Ching Chair in Housing.
Michael Shapcott is co-chair and a founding member of the National Housing and Homelessness Network and a founding member of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, the Toronto Coalition Against Homelessness, and the Bread Not Circuses Coalition. He is the coordinator of the Community/University Research Partnerships (CURP) program at the Centre for Urban and Community Studies, University of Toronto.
Reviews
Subject: Book review by: Goodman, J. (2005). in Journal of the American Planning Association, 71(3), 342-343.
How refreshing it is, then, to come upon this wide-ranging and in-depth examination of rental housing policy in Canada. The volume stems from a conference hosted by the University of Toronto’s Centre for Urban and Community Studies and contains chapters by two dozen authors from business, government, and academia. Most of the bread-and-butter topics of housing policy are covered, including the respective roles of national, provincial, and municipal governments; demand and supply side strategies for promoting housing affordability; homelessness; discrimination; and public/private partnerships. Also presented are several boutique topics: aboriginal housing issues, housing and health, and co-operative housing among them.
The strengths of Finding Room are several. The scope of issues and perspectives contained in this one volume is unusually broad. While wide-ranging, the coverage is also focused. The conference organizers asked participants to suggest practical strategies to improve the situations of renters in the bottom half of the income distribution, and contributors for the most part honored that request.
The book is timely, coming at a time when Canada is reassessing its housing policies. And it is an impressive achievement to publish a handsome, logically organized volume of this size and number of contributors within months of the conference.
Certain features of Finding Room are less satisfying. With so many contributors, some redundancy is hard to avoid. At the same time, readers not familiar with the housing markets, institutions, and governmental roles in Canada will need to pick up this knowledge on the fly, as the volume lacks an introduction to Canadian housing. Similarly, while several of the chapters sprinkle in international com- parisons, readers from outside Canada would benefit from some more direct comparisons with other countries. The diversity of the contributing authors results in some unevenness in approach; some chapters are research articles and others are speeches and position statements.
Overall, it is a book best sampled, chapter by chapter, depending on the reader’s interest, rather than read from front to back.
While the coverage of Finding Room is impressive, one topic central to the debate over rental housing policy receives less focused attention than it deserves. The roles of land use policy, zoning, and building codes in determining what can be built and where are widely acknowledged as key drivers of housing costs, yet these regulatory controls over housing supply are mentioned only in passing in this collection. But a reviewer has to stretch to find omissions from Finding Room.
Written to be accessible and relevant to a variety of readers, Finding Room is sure to be a standard reference for all those interested in Canadian housing policy. Its comprehensive coverage of both current issues and longer-run policy topics makes it a resource not only for today but also for years to come.
– Jack Goodman is a housing economist whose consulting practice, Hartrey Advisors, helps clients in industry, government, and academia. He previously served as chief economist for the National Multi Housing Council and as chairman of the Planning Commission of Arlington County, Virginia.
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