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)
Facilitating Non-Profit Acquisition of Purpose Built Rental Housing Prepared for BC Non Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA)
Regional Seniors and Family Housing Needs Assessment Study Grande Spirit Foundation (Grande Prairie), with Gary Gordon
Understanding Flow between Treaty Seven First Nations and Calgary’s Homeless-Serving System of Care: Housing Need, Supply and Conditions, for the Calgary Homeless Foundation
Mid-term Review and Update, Kingston Ten Year Housing and Homeless Plan, for City of Kingston (with Michel Frojmovic, Acacia Consulting)
2019
Creating a Revolving Affordable Housing Acquisition Fund in Ottawa, for the Ottawa Community Foundation
Examining the feasibility and options for an inclusionary zoning policy in Toronto, for the Maytree Foundation and Convene Toronto.
Background analysis and possible new targets and actions: A discussion paper to stimulate input in updating the City of Ottawa 10 Year Plan on Housing and Homelessness, for Ottawa City Council, Urban Caucus
Describing the Social Housing Ecosystem in BC and Quebec, for the Canadian Housing Policy Roundtable
Exploring Opportunities In The Intermediate Rental Market In Ottawa. Brief prepared for Ottawa Community Housing
2018
Inventory of Market Incentive Programs, for CMHC
Affordable Market Housing in Ottawa: Proceedings of Oct 3rd Forum, for the Ottawa Community Foundation
Designing a First-Time Homebuyer Affordability Indicator, prepared for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (with Greg Lampert)
Affordable Market Housing in Ottawa: Report from the October 3, 2018 Forum, Ottawa Community Foundation.
Financing Renewal of the Existing Social Housing Stock: An International Comparison Conference Paper: Partnerships for Affordable Rental Housing, University of Calgary, November 15-17, 2018
Ottawa Community Housing Tenant Satisfaction Survey, for OCH.
Background analysis for MVHC 10- year action plan on affordable rental housing for Metro Vancouver Regional District
Time to get on Board, Event Summary: Building More Affordable Housing Near Rapid Transit Stations in Ottawa, April 20, 2018. Prepared for The City of Ottawa, the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, and Healthy Transportation Coalition
Brief for OSFI on Risk Management Guidelines For Home Ownership Assistance Models And Shared- Appreciation Mortgage Products (with Jeff Evenson, Canadian Urban Institute) for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA)
Review of Implications of Recent Affordable Housing Policy and the National Housing Strategy on Potential University Faculty Home Ownership (for specific university)
2017
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)
Challenges and opportunities in financing affordable housing in Canada. Background Brief prepared for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
2016
Public Subsidy and Stock Renewal in Social Housing- International Comparison_Sept 2016 Background briefing report. Prepared for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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
Brief on Inclusionary Zoning, for Canadian Home Builders Association
International Housing Policies to Promote Private and Social Rental Supply (CMHC)
2015
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
Tenant Experience and Satisfaction Survey for Ottawa Community Housing
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
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
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