Cities have lived with exclusionary zoning for decades, if not generations. Is inclusionary zoning the answer? Inclusionary zoning, or IZ, requires developers to set aside a share of units in new buildings for low- or moderate-income households, seeking to increase the supply of affordable homes and integrate neighborhoods racially and socioeconomi…

When Mike bought his first home, it cost him $168,000. That number barely covers a downpayment in much of Ontario these days – and even if a developer wanted to, it could not offer that price (even indexed to inflation) because the costs to build are just so high. Mike and Cara break down the costs associated with home-building, including land pric…

@NotJustBikes is many people's gateway into urbanism, and an understanding into how much better our cities and towns can be, if we just make some policy changes. In this conversation, journalist Cara Stern, economist Mike Moffatt, Not Just Bikes creator Jason Slaughter discuss the challenges and implications of car-dependent suburbs in North Americ…

The conversation explores the impact of the AI revolution on workers and the potential for mass unemployment. The hosts discuss past technological revolutions and the winners and losers they created. They also consider the role of AI in job creation and the potential for increased inequality. The conversation touches on the importance of skills and…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: NZ Herald 17th of September- Mortgage rate battle continues as Kiwibank cuts home loans rates Topic #2: Oneroof 18th of September -Tony Alexander: Why do Kiwi houses cost nine times the average income? Topic #3: NZ Adviser 18th of September - Kiwis' growing obsessi…

We’ve long known that building more homes helps keep prices in check at the regional or metro area level, but what about the house down the street? Evan Mast shares two research studies that shed light on this important and controversial question. Originally aired in 2021. Updated show notes. Show notes: Mast, E. (2023). JUE Insight: The effect of …

This week, the federal government announced some big changes to mortgage policies in Canada. Specifically, it’s expanding 30-year mortgage amortizations to anyone buying a new build, or to all first-time homebuyers. It’s also raising the insured mortgage cap from $1 million to $1.5 million. In this conversation journalist Cara Stern and economist M…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Corelogic 12th of September -NZ property market faces mixed fortunes as recent slowdown hits suburbs Topic #2: 1News 10th of September -More than 300 Kāinga Ora projects across NZ in limbo Topic #3: RNZ 11th of September - Rateable values, market values and rates: …

Rents are down in some college towns, and some are crediting the government's international student reforms. In news stories about rents falling, the media often frame price reductions as a bad thing, even though it’s a huge relief for students. Mike and Cara discuss the price drops and why the media tend to ignore the positive side of the story. H…

Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss Canada's record levels of population growth -- and how the majority of it came from record levels of temporary immigration. Since these numbers became known, due to backlash from the public, the federal government has announced it would implement policies it hopes will reduce the number of no…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Interest.co.nz 3rd of September -New Zealanders are falling short on retirement savings – is it time to boost KiwiSaver contributions? Topic #2: RNZ 3rd of September -How many borrowers have 'fix regret'? Topic #3: Interest.co.nz 4th of September -Opinions split ab…

Building taller lets us fit more homes on valuable urban land, but more homes doesn’t necessarily mean more affordable. Anthony Orlando joins to share his research on why taller isn’t always better — and the circumstances where it definitely is. Show notes: Eriksen, M. D., & Orlando, A. W. (2022). Returns to scale in residential construction: The m…

Cities across Canada are implementing vacant home taxes to address the issue of homes sitting empty. These taxes aim to encourage owners to sell or rent out their vacant properties. Economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the challenges in implementation of these taxes including issues with reporting and enforcement. Studies have s…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the next month. R…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Corelogic 29th of August -Brighter future for small investors and relocating owner-occupiers as market conditions shift Topic #2: NZ Herald 27th of August -2025 the year house price rises revert to normal, BNZ says Topic #3: NZ Herald 28th of August -The KiwiSaver …

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. Join Debbie from Property Apprentice as she sits down with longtime clients Kellie and Ryan Dawson, who began their property investment journey back in 2012. Kellie shares how they overcame early skepticism about investing and built a successful property portfolio over the years, while raising their fa…

In this conversation, Cara and Mike discuss the financial considerations of having children. They touch on topics such as housing costs, childcare expenses, and the impact on income during parental leave. They also explore the limitations of the government's childcare program and the need for increased availability of affordable childcare options. …

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: 1News 19th of August -With the OCR coming down, how far will home loan rates fall? Topic #2: Interest.co.nz 20th of August -House prices continued to tumble in July but that's proving to be good news for buyers Topic #3: Landlords.co.nz 20th of August - From hunted…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout this month. Naama…

There's been a lot of news lately about the low-wage stream of the temporary foreign worker program -- but the high-wage stream has similar problems. In this episode, Cara and Mike explore the types of jobs that are being filled through this stream, and whether the wages offered are truly competitive. They worry about the impact of bringing in fore…

Changing zoning rules to allow taller and denser buildings may cause land values to go up, and public officials may try to “capture” this added value by requiring affordable units in new developments. But what happens when costs and benefits are out of balance? Seattle offers a cautionary tale. Show notes: Krimmel, J., & Wang, B. (2023). Upzoning W…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Winter blues over? First-home buyers lead market resurgence Half of household income going to the mortgage OCR drops, but may not impact housing too much Banks slash mortgage rates as further OCR cuts signalled RBNZ says rate cuts should act faster this time Support the show…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the next month. B…

Canada has seen a significant increase in the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers, raising concerns about the impact on the job market. The low-wage stream of temporary foreign workers is tied to specific employers and is measured relative to the provincial median wage. The government made changes to the program in 2022, allowing more temp…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the month. Max Go…

Back in 2021, Mike Moffatt wrote: "The top-10 most common ages to leave Toronto are the ten between the ages of 31–35 and 0–4. The single most common age is zero — that is, babies under the age of 1. That’s who is leaving Toronto." Three years later, it's gotten worse. Young Families are leaving big cities across the country. Mike and Cara discuss …

When the demand for housing rises, which kinds of neighborhoods respond by building more homes, and which just get more expensive? Nathaniel Baum-Snow joins to discuss his research on the different responses of urban, suburban, and exurban neighborhoods, and the many forms “supply” can take. Show notes: Baum-Snow, N., & Han, L. (2024). The Microgeo…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the next month. S…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Stuff 31st of July - Tax warning for property flippers Topic #2: 1News 30th of July - Explainer: The changes coming for the process of borrowing money Topic #3: RNZ 30th of July - Is a capital gains tax the answer to unaffordable renting? Topic #4: NZ Herald 31st o…

This conversation explores the intersection of the Yes In My Backyard movement and urbanism, focusing on the question of whether the end goal is to legalize or require dense, walkable neighborhoods. Mike and Cara discuss the benefits of walkable neighborhoods, the challenges of legalizing density, and the impact of taxation and development charges.…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays throughout the next month. S…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Good Returns 22nd of July - Predictions for OCR cut next month Topic #2: The Mortgage Mag 23rd of July -Deloitte: shared equity schemes could arrest declining home ownership Topic #3: Stuff 25th of July - Teenagers buy their own home after years of saving at their …

We often talk about residential segregation by race or income, but we rarely explore it in the literal sense — as in segregation of residences: of one kind of housing from another. Ann Owens joins to discuss her research on how segregation manifests itself in our built environment in cities and neighborhoods across the U.S. Show notes: Owens, A. (2…

Recently, economist Mike Moffatt got into a bit of a Twitter argument with housing advocates who think a land value tax can solve the housing crisis. He doesn’t think so. This conversation explores the idea of a land value tax as a solution to the housing crisis. The hosts discuss the concept of a land value tax, which involves increasing the tax o…

On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each week on Fridays. Evan Saskin, an architect a…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: 1News 17th of July - NZ's largest bank cuts home loan rates as inflation dips Topic #2: NZ Herald 15th of July - Housing: Listings soar, Auckland, Canterbury buck price falls, ASB expects turnaround in late 2024 Topic #3: Oneroof 17th of July - Tony Alexander: Why …

A recent Leger poll examined how young Canadians feel about their economic situation, and whether they're getting enough support from the government. Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern discuss the results, which found that millennials and Gen Z feel they are worse off than their parents. They also touch on the perception that politicians prioritize the in…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: The Mortgage Mag 10th of July Expectation of Nov rate cuts prompts record short rate borrowing Topic #2: Stuff 10th of July - Housing changes will make it ‘harder for disabled people to live’, advocate says Topic #3: Interest.co.nz 9th of July - QV says house hunte…

Part of the Missing Middle Summit Series On May 23, professionals who work in the industry to develop missing middle housing, as well as those interested in building them, gathered at the Toronto Reference Library for a one-day conference. The Missing Middle podcast team spoke to the presenters and will be sharing those interviews with you each wee…

The number of temporary foreign workers in Canada has been increasing, and that has led to all sorts of concerns. There’s low youth employment levels, stagnant wages, and industries that rely entirely on low-wage temporary workers to keep prices low. In this discussion, economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern talk about the different types…

Black households make up a disproportionate share of rent assistance recipients. Andrew Fenelon discusses how a “two-tiered approach to housing support" favoring white homeowners helped create the disparity. Show notes: Fenelon, A. (2024). Race, housing policy, and the demographic and spatial structure of modern housing programs: Who receives renta…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: NZ Herald 4th of July -Government to ‘flood’ cities with more housing by liberalising planning rules Topic #2: Oneroof 2nd of July - Banks pick date of first interest rate cut - will mortgage pain ease this year? Topic #3: NZ Herald 2nd of July - New building conse…

If you get deep enough into the conversation about the housing crisis, you're inevitably going to hear the words "single egress". A lot of people, especially in Canada, think that the country is too strict with its stairwell rules, which require multiple exits for almost every multi-storey apartment building. Conrad Speckert, intern architect at LG…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Interest.co.nz 27th of June -Trade Me says more rooms in flats are being advertised but fewer people want them Topic #2: NZHerald 26th of June - Another major bank scales back house price forecast Topic #3: NZ Herald 27th of June -How July 1 changes to Auckland Fue…

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss return-to-office plans and the role of politicians in helping local business districts survive. It explores the controversy surrounding the mayor of Toronto's push to get workers back to the office and the potential negative impacts on workers, t…

Before the 2000s, French real estate developers were prohibited from building social housing. Today, they build more than half of it. Julie Pollard shares how two seemingly unrelated policies came together to make this rapid shift possible. Show notes: Pollard, J. (2023). The political conditions of the rise of real-estate developers in French hous…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: Landlords.co.nz 20th of June -Market could be near a tipping point Interest.co.nz 19th of June - New Zealand's biggest rent increases have come in cyclone-affected Gisborne and Hawke's Bay RNZ 19th of June -Granny flat change could make home ownership more obtainab…

In this discussion, Smart Prosperity Institute economist Mike Moffatt and journalist Cara Stern discuss the idea of a tax break for landlords in the UK who sell their homes to their tenants. They explore the potential impact of this policy and whether it could be applicable in Canada. They also discuss the broader housing crisis and the importance …

In this discussion, Mike and Cara talk to Stephen Smith, executive director of the non-profit Center for Building in North America about how elevators and building codes have contributed to the housing crisis. Stephen describes how elevators in North America are much more expensive than in Europe due to size requirements, technical codes and standa…

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think. THIS WEEK IN REVIEW TOPICS: Topic #1: NZHerald 13th of June -Thousands of first-home buyers have deposits wiped out Topic #2: Newshub 12th of June - Households struggling to save or cope with unexpected bills, Kiwibank report reveals Topic #3:Oneroof 12th of June -Tony Alexander: The return of the hous…