Is Affordable Housing Possible Without A Market Crash? Gregor Robertson's Perspective

Laila Abdi

5 min read

Post on May 25, 2025

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Gregor Robertson's Approach to Affordable Housing

Gregor Robertson's tenure as Mayor of Vancouver (2008-2018) was significantly shaped by the city's increasingly unaffordable housing market. His administration pursued a multi-pronged approach aimed at increasing housing supply, curbing speculation, and investing in social housing.

Focus on Density and Increased Supply

Robertson understood that a key component of addressing housing affordability was significantly increasing the housing supply. His administration pushed for policies that encouraged higher density housing developments and expanded development beyond traditionally low-density areas.

• Increased zoning flexibility for multi-family dwellings: This involved relaxing zoning regulations to permit the construction of townhouses, apartments, and other multi-unit buildings in previously single-family-only zones.
• Incentives for developers to include affordable housing units in new projects: The city introduced incentives, such as density bonuses and expedited approvals, to encourage developers to integrate affordable housing units into their projects. This aimed to blend market-rate and affordable units within the same development.
• Fast-tracking the approval process for affordable housing developments: Streamlining the approval process for affordable housing projects reduced delays and costs, making them more feasible.
• Exploration of innovative housing models like modular construction: The city explored using modern, efficient construction methods like modular building to speed up construction and potentially lower costs.

Addressing Speculation and Foreign Investment

Recognizing the role of speculation and foreign investment in driving up housing prices, Robertson implemented measures to curb these factors.

• Empty homes tax: This tax targeted properties left vacant, aiming to discourage speculation and encourage owners to either occupy their properties or rent them out.
• Strengthened regulations on foreign buyers: Measures were introduced to increase transparency and potentially limit purchases by foreign investors who were driving up demand without contributing to the local economy.
• Increased transparency in real estate transactions: Efforts were made to improve data collection and public access to information about real estate transactions, helping to shine a light on potentially problematic activities.

Investment in Social Housing and Rent Control

Robertson also prioritized investments in social housing and considered strengthening rent control measures.

• Funding for the construction of new social housing units: Significant funding was allocated for the development of new social housing units to provide affordable housing options for low-income residents.
• Review and potential strengthening of existing rent control regulations: The city explored options for strengthening existing rent control regulations to protect tenants from excessive rent increases.
• Support for non-profit housing providers: The city provided support and resources for non-profit organizations involved in affordable housing development and management.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Robertson's Strategies

Evaluating the success of Robertson's strategies requires a nuanced approach, acknowledging both achievements and shortcomings.

Successes and Shortcomings

• Increased housing supply in certain areas: While not sufficient to completely alleviate the crisis, some areas saw an increase in housing supply, particularly in denser neighborhoods.
• Impact of the empty homes tax on property values: The empty homes tax's impact on property values is a subject of ongoing debate. While it aimed to curb speculation, it’s unclear to what extent it truly achieved this.
• Effectiveness of rent control measures: Rent control in Vancouver, as in many other cities, is a complex issue with both benefits and drawbacks. While protecting some tenants, it can also discourage new construction and create a shortage of rental units.
• Challenges in addressing the complexities of the housing market: The Vancouver housing market, like many others, is influenced by a multitude of factors beyond local government control, making comprehensive solutions difficult.

Comparison to Other Approaches

Robertson's approach shares similarities with strategies in other cities globally that focus on increasing density, curbing speculation, and investing in social housing. However, the specific implementation and effectiveness vary significantly depending on local contexts. For example, some cities have implemented more stringent rent control measures, while others focus on land value taxation. The success of each approach is highly dependent on its specific context and the wider economic landscape.

The Path Forward: Sustainable Affordable Housing Solutions

Building on Robertson's legacy requires a refined and more comprehensive approach.

Building on Robertson's Legacy

• Modernizing building codes to promote affordability: Updating building codes to allow for faster, more efficient, and less expensive construction methods is crucial.
• Improving access to financing for affordable housing projects: Making it easier for developers and non-profits to secure financing for affordable housing projects is essential.
• Collaboration between government, developers, and community groups: A collaborative approach involving all stakeholders is crucial for successful implementation.

Addressing the Broader Economic Context

Affordable housing is not simply a housing issue; it's an economic issue. Addressing income inequality, promoting living wages, and investing in public transit are crucial.

• Investment in public transportation and infrastructure: Improved public transportation reduces reliance on cars, making housing further from city centers more accessible and affordable.
• Policies to support living wages and job creation: Increasing wages and creating more jobs helps people afford housing.
• Addressing systemic issues that perpetuate housing inequality: This requires a holistic approach tackling issues of zoning, discrimination, and lack of access to credit.

Conclusion

Gregor Robertson's efforts to address Vancouver's affordable housing crisis offer valuable lessons. His focus on increasing supply, curbing speculation, and investing in social housing produced some positive outcomes. However, achieving truly affordable housing without a market crash necessitates a more comprehensive approach. This requires building upon his initiatives while addressing the broader economic context. The pursuit of affordable housing is a continuous process that demands collaboration, innovation, and a long-term perspective. Let's continue the conversation and develop sustainable solutions for affordable housing that work for everyone.