1) I am of two minds about the role of PE. I think there's no denying that it currently has a corrosive effects on some large segments of the market — driving growth into poorly-made high-rise condos that sit empty, or which become ghost hotels; and the systematized reno-viction of lower-income apartment buildings being pri…
1) I am of two minds about the role of PE. I think there's no denying that it currently has a corrosive effects on some large segments of the market — driving growth into poorly-made high-rise condos that sit empty, or which become ghost hotels; and the systematized reno-viction of lower-income apartment buildings being prime examples. Still, PE wouldn't be attracted by exploiting tight margins if we just had a healthy market to begin with. It strikes me that cracking down on PE might do more harm than good. Better to undermine the business model of vultures, imo.
2) Heavily restrict short-term rentals, absolutely. Montreal does this and it's a godsend.
8) I would love to see Ottawa crack down on aesthetic restrictions on new builds. Setback rules and height bans (Halifax, e.g. generally forbids anything downtown taller than Citadel Hill. Stupid.) You can get a lot of NIMBYism done by inciting "local character."
Basically hard agree on the rest. I'd add in: If you want to take away NIMBYs' power, crack down on public consultations — or find a way to recalibrate them to include the views of future residents, not just existing ones.
Great comment!
1) I am of two minds about the role of PE. I think there's no denying that it currently has a corrosive effects on some large segments of the market — driving growth into poorly-made high-rise condos that sit empty, or which become ghost hotels; and the systematized reno-viction of lower-income apartment buildings being prime examples. Still, PE wouldn't be attracted by exploiting tight margins if we just had a healthy market to begin with. It strikes me that cracking down on PE might do more harm than good. Better to undermine the business model of vultures, imo.
2) Heavily restrict short-term rentals, absolutely. Montreal does this and it's a godsend.
8) I would love to see Ottawa crack down on aesthetic restrictions on new builds. Setback rules and height bans (Halifax, e.g. generally forbids anything downtown taller than Citadel Hill. Stupid.) You can get a lot of NIMBYism done by inciting "local character."
Basically hard agree on the rest. I'd add in: If you want to take away NIMBYs' power, crack down on public consultations — or find a way to recalibrate them to include the views of future residents, not just existing ones.
All good ideas! Thanks. It’s complicated.