Making Housing Everyone’s Responsibility
The housing crisis isn’t someone else’s problem. It affects our families, our communities, and our future. And while government and industry matter, the next chapter will also be written by everyday Canadians—mobilizing what we already have: property, savings, relationships, and local influence.
The Housing Crisis Needs a Community Solution
CMHC estimates Canada needs about 3.5 million additional homes by 2030 to restore affordability—potentially more under higher population-growth scenarios.
Governments and traditional developers play a major role, but the scale of the challenge demands more capacity, more capital, and more local projects moving forward. We need a community solution.
Here’s what we do have:
- Underutilized land held by homeowners, non-profits, and faith-based organizations
- Large pools of Canadian savings looking for responsible returns and real-world impact
- New legislation enabling gentle density on many residential properties
- Innovative models that can support attainable housing without relying on endless subsidies
The resources exist. What’s often missing is mobilization—a simple way for people to participate based on their situation.
I Invest in Housing connects everyday Canadians to ways they can participate through property development, community investment, and/or advocacy—starting with one simple first step: Please take our survey and add your voice.
Our Goal: 50,000 Voices
We’re gathering input from 50,000 Canadians on how they want to participate in housing solutions. This research will inform:
- Community Housing Bond structures and terms
- Other community investment tools (i.e. Social Purpose REITs)
- Property development support programs
- Policy recommendations and advocacy priorities
Whether you’re a homeowner exploring options, a social impact investor, a non-profit housing provider, faith group or service club or someone simply concerned about housing in your community—your perspective matters.
Our CMHC Solutions Lab
We’re proud to have been awarded a Solutions Lab by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This is recognition that our community-driven approach represents a scalable path forward for affordable housing.
The Solutions Lab supports our first critical step: gathering market intelligence directly from communities. Before we can build solutions, we need to understand:
- What bond rates and terms make sense for community investors?
- How many homeowners are ready to add ADUs or Multiplexes to their properties?
- What barriers prevent people from participating in housing solutions?
- How can we design programs that work for real people in real communities?
Your input shapes the solutions we build. This isn’t top-down planning. It’s community-informed design. Every survey response helps us understand what Canadians need, want, and are willing to support.
I Invest in Housing is a movement to make housing solutions a normal household conversation—and a practical community habit.
When we say “I Invest in Housing,” we mean:
- I invest my voice by joining the Coalition of the Concerned
- I invest my property by adding an ADU/Multiplex or creating gentle density (where permitted)
- I invest my savings through Community Housing Bonds and social-purpose investment options as they become available.
- I invest my support for policies and projects that create attainable housing in my community
This isn’t about charity. It’s about participation—recognizing that housing solutions at scale requires more than a few institutions. It requires many Canadians choosing to act.
How to Get Involved
There are multiple ways to participate. Choose the path that fits your situation.
Share Your Voice: Take the Survey
Help us understand how Canadians want to invest in housing solutions. The survey takes under 2 – minutes, and responses directly shape the programs we develop.
Explore Investment Options
Learn about Community Housing Bonds, Social Purpose Real Estate Investment Trusts (SP REIT)s, and other ways to support attainable housing while seeking a return.
Develop Your Property
Discover whether your property may support ADUs, Multiplexes or other gentle density options—and how we can support you through the development process.
Support Interim Housing
Learn about Interim Residence models designed to keep people housed during redevelopment—reducing displacement risk while creating more affordable housing long-term. In this case it is both affordable and attainable but as it is for NPs we need to keep the term affordable.
Join the Coalition of the Concerned (Action Network)
Be part of a growing network of Canadians who aren’t just worried about housing—they’re working on practical ways to solve it locally.
Making I Invest in Housing a Household Name
Imagine a Canada where “I Invest in Housing” is as common as “I Recycle.” Where communities mobilize resources for housing solutions. Where investment decisions consider social outcomes alongside financial returns.
Where housing discussions start with “what can we do?” instead of “what should they do?”
The community’s voice needs to be heard and it starts with making this conversation normal.
When someone asks what you’re doing with your property, you say: “I’m adding a laneway home. I invest in housing.”
When discussing retirement savings, you mention: “I’m buying community bonds. I invest in housing.”
When voting on municipal issues, you prioritize: “I support gentle density. I invest in housing.”
One phrase. Many meanings. Collective impact.
Your First Step: Take the Survey
Privacy: Your information is confidential and used only to develop better housing solutions. See our Privacy Policy for details on data use, storage, and opt-out.
Take the Survey
Get updates on new opportunities to participate and housing solutions happening across Canada.
Follow the Movement:
Be Part of the Solution
The housing crisis is a community problem and require a community solution. The housing crisis won’t be solved by a few. It will be solved by thousands. Your property, your savings, your voice, or simply your commitment, all of it matters. Take the survey, explore opportunities, and join the growing movement of Canadians who invest in housing.