Research Reports

Since it’s inception in 1994, Focus Consulting has completed over 150 reports for a wide range of clients including; numerous municipalities, provincial and federal ministries and agencies, and a number of national and provincial associations and trade bodies.

This research and policy work includes extensive research on affordable housing, alternative financing models, housing projections, market analysis, socio-economic analysis, feasibility analysis of rental development, housing need and affordability studies, analysis of homelessness and neighbourhood renewal/regeneration.

Where available, download links are provided.

Current (in progress)

Examining the dynamics of Canada’s housing system, for CHBA and CHRA

Examining indicators and data sources for quantifying Non-Housing Outcomes of Stable and Affordable Housing in Canada, for CMHC

Alternate visions of a modernized social and affordable housing sector, for CMHC

2017

Assessment of CMHC Rental Construction Financing Initiative May 2017

Why core housing need is a poor metric to monitor the national housing strategy, for Caledon Institute of Social Policy

Potential Targeting and Design of a Housing Benefit in the National Housing Strategy, for CMHC

Mortgage Down Payment and Borrower Behaviour: Literature Review and Assessment (with Ian Lee, for CMHC)

Aboriginal Provider Employment Organizational Capacity and Sustainability (with Jamey Burr for CHRA Aboriginal Caucus)

Challenges and opportunities in financing affordable housing in Canada. Background Brief prepared for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities

2016

Optimizing Demand and Supply Side Housing Assistance Programs: A Background Brief. Prepared for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Toward a Brighter Future: Opportunities To Reduce Affordable Need And Homelessness in the GTHA, for Evergreen Centre for Green Cities,/GTA Action Lab

Public Subsidy and Stock Renewal in Social Housing- International Comparison_Sept 2016 Background briefing report. Prepared for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Modelling Financial Feasibility of Incentives for the Intermediate Rental Market (with Greg Lampert) for the Canadian Home Builders Assoc. and National Housing Collective

Scenarios for Managing the End of Federal Subsidy Prepared for BC Non Profit Housing Association

Scoping Assessment: Developing a Non-Market Real Estate Strategy in Calgary. Prepared for the Calgary Affordable Housing Working Group

Spending Trends in City of Ottawa Community and Social Services, for the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres

Brief on Inclusionary Zoning, for Canadian Home Builders Association

International Housing Policies to Promote Private and Social Rental Supply (CMHC)

2015

Encouraging Construction and Retention of Purpose-Built Rental Housing in Canada: Analysis of Federal Tax Policy Options for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and Greater Toronto Housing Action Lab (with Greg Lampert)

Peer Review of the Social Housing Program Evaluation for the Department: Planning Monitoring And Evaluation Office of the Presidency, South Africa

Assessment of Alternative Measures to Promote Access to Homeownership, prepared for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (with Greg Lampert, Economic Consultant), October 2015

Literature Review and State of Knowledge of the Non- Housing Outcomes of Affordable and Stable Housing for CMHC

Tenant Experience and Satisfaction Survey for Ottawa Community Housing

A Simpler, Cheaper Housing Subsidy: Reimagining the Delivery of Housing Assistance in Ontario. Brief prepared for the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association as a submission to the Long Term Affordable Housing Strategy Consultation.

Business Transformation – Best Practices for Social and Affordable Housing Prepared for Housing Partnership Canada.

Long Term Financing of Social Housing in South Africa: Examination of Current Practice And Alternatives For A More Sustainable Future. Rooftops Canada and National Association of Social Housing Organizations (NASHO).

Literature Review of International Rental Housing Policies, for CMHC

Examining the Fiduciary Role of Co-operative Housing Boards in a Regulated Environment, for CHF Ontario

Peer Review of the Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) Socio-Economic Analysis:Value of Toronto Community Housing’s 10-Year Capital Investment Plan Return on Social Investment Research Report. Toronto Community Housing

2014

Course content for accreditation course for the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Canada Level 2 Course 3: Housing Policy

Developing a Housing Need Assessment Framework, for Edmonton Capital Region Board

Evaluation of the Toronto Streets to Homes Follow-up Program for Shelter Housing and Supports Division, City Toronto

Sustaining and Renewing Social Housing for Low Income Households (With James McGregor) for CHRA

Reframing the Housing Challenge, for the Federation of Canadian Municipalites

Research Framework for the Long Term Financing of Social Housing in South Africa, for the National Association of South Africa Housing Organizations and Rooftops Canada

The fiscal impact of expiring federal subsidies

2013

Finding Common Ground: Best Practices in Managing Resistance to Affordable Housing – Case studies on experience in proactively managing community resistance to affordable and supportive housing

Literature Review on Family Homelessness, for Region of Waterloo, May 2013

A Well-Housed Nation Is A Productive Nation: The Business Case For Sustained Federal Engagement and Funding For Affordable Housing (2013). Prepared for the Provincial-territorial Housing Minsters Working Group