In 2009, housing activity, including new home construction, and the sale and renovation of existing homes, contributed C$307 billion to the economy. According to the 2010 Canadian Housing Observer, a publication released by the national housing agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), this housing activity was more than one-fifth of Canada's total gross domestic product.

Since housing represents such a significant segment of the national economy, the lack of a national housing policy seems strange, but through CMHC the federal government does keep itself associated with many community-based housing initiatives. By announcing CMHC's involvement in promoting these projects, the federal government periodically attracts media attention to housing—not enough attention, but it's a start and there is room for improvement.

One of the latest "newsworthy" CMHC involvements is the EQuilibrium^TM EQuilibrium^TM Communities Initiative (ECI), launched on June 1, 2009. This is a three-year, C$4.2 million collaboration of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and CMHC under the Government of Canada's ecoACTION umbrella. ECI provides financial assistance for technical and promotional activities, not capital construction costs. Target projects are selected because of their push to improve on energy efficiency, environmental protection, land-use planning, and sustainable transportation approaches.

The Initiative continues momentum created by the initial EQuilibrium^TM Sustainable Housing Demonstration launched by CMHC in 2006 with support from NRCan. These government programs help private developers to "bring to market neighbourhoods that are affordable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable."

Those interested in having more affordable, accessible housing in their neighbourhood and community may see opportunity in watching how and what the federal government does with this Initiative.

• Does your group have constructive ideas on what government's role in housing development could evolve into?

• Can you see how social media could solve some of the challenges that non-profit housing projects face in developing the range of housing needed in every community?

• CMHC offers more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians house themselves and their neighbours. Has enough advantage been gained by using this resource?

• Can you see opportunities that are being overlooked?

• Even though , the Honourable Diane Finley , and the other government organizations have not solicited your feedback, perhaps it's time to start a dialogue with them, or your local Member of Parliament.

For instance, the EQuilibrium^TM Communities Initiative was designed to showcase Canadian residential developers, planners, designers and municipalities who are intent on improving energy efficiency and the environment. ECI held a national competition and selected six projects that improve on community planning, water management and financial viability, and that will create sustainable, energy-efficient communities. Funding awards have been made to four:

• Ty-Histanis Neighbourhood Development, near Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations received C$433,990 to support this project with its central community core of multi-family buildings, a school, health clinic and community centre, designed to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption.

• Regent Park, Toronto, Ontario This urban revitalization, which will transform Canada's oldest and largest social housing community into a mixed-income development for 5,100 households, received C$550,000.

• Ampersand, Ottawa, Ontario The compact, mixed-use South Ottawa development received C$550,000.

• Station Pointe, Edmonton, Alberta "Research into 'passive house' designs and 'district energy systems' as well as on-site waste water treatment will help us reach our target of a 75 percent reduction in energy use while maintaining affordable home prices," said Brian Scott, Vice-President of The Communitas Group Ltd. The developer received C$481,000 to support the community renewal project located on former industrial lands, and planned as a transit-oriented development which includes 220 affordable and market homes. Communitas, which has worked with a range of housing clients, including continuing housing cooperatives, home ownership cooperatives, mixed-tenure cooperatives, community-based land trusts, co-housing groups and non-profit companies on projects in Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, has earned a reputation for involving end-users in the development process.

To receive ongoing information and results regarding EQuilibrium^TM Communities Initiative, send an email to: equilibrium.communities@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Published: November 16, 2010

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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.