Like it or not, federal and provincial downloading has forced Canadian municipalities into the housing business. Homelessness is the most visible symptom of this shifting in responsibility but it is not the only housing problem faced by Canadians. Demand for housing suitable for single parents, elderly individuals needing supportive services and those with disabilities continues to grow.

Across Canada, municipalities fight to provide adequate housing for their citizens by turning the process that regulates real estate development into a tool to provide housing opportunities for our diverse population.

Unfortunately, many of the measures available to municipalities work best in hot markets, large developments or higher-density neighbourhoods – conditions that do not describe enough of this vast country. Municipal efforts are also frustrated when concessions made to developers are not passed on as savings to consumers. Furthermore, not every province has specific legislation to back up municipal initiatives.

However, some municipalities have winning strategies:

Published: July 18, 2000

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" - intent on "Challenging The Best to Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 8 books and more than 1800 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy...Your Choice!", which is filled with suggestions and cautions on protecting, building and managing home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?: Cut The Crap, Hit The Mark & Stick!" will be published in 2012. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors - and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking - a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on keynotes, blogs, books and information on a range of 21st-Century topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.