Ask Developers What Housing In Demand: BENN

09/23/2025

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Here’s an idea. Ask the developers what type of housing their customers want to purchase

Are the markets really looking for more small rental apartments in a high-rise or mid-size homes (town or single family)? The developers already know the answer.

If the city is really serious about providing the right conditions for builders to build more homes, stop forcing them to build undersized units. Forcing is the right word. Look at the density requirements that are phrased in the context of number of residential units per hectare. The density factor dictates the unit size. The density factor dictates the number of storeys. The taller the building, the longer it takes to complete, and the higher the total cost of construction. The cost per unit is likely lower, as the cost per hectare and a very short list of other fixed costs (architect, engineering etc.) are spread over more units. But is there really enough demand for these units? Is that why the city’s housing starts has stagnated?

The city’s utopian Official Plan is the root cause. The city’s Official Plan dictates the form factor and location of where its planners want people to live. The fundamental problem with this approach is that people will continue to seek housing that fits their needs, not those of out-of-touch theoreticians.

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The Day After The Lansdowne Vote: POTTER

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The demand for housing units people want is not being met due to constraints created by the city. Thus the outward sprawl. Thus the growth of neighbouring towns. Thus the congestion on the roadways leading to and from the centre of the city.

Cause, meet effect. It is obvious to those who choose to see.