Housing Affordability
Advancing housing affordability across the GTHA through collaboration and action.
Housing affordability is one of the most persistent challenges facing the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. When people cannot afford to live near where they work, the impacts ripple across our regional and national economy, public services, and communities.
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Middle-income workers represent ~50% of the GTHA population and contribute ~60% of Ontario’s GDP.Middle-income workers represent ~50% of the GTHA population and contribute ~60% of Ontario’s GDP. Source: The Why: The Human and Economic Story of Workforce Housing
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Nearly 1 in 2 renters spend more than 30% of income on housing. 1 in 4 spend roughly half.Nearly 1 in 2 renters spend more than 30% of income on housing. 1 in 4 spend roughly half. Source: The Why: The Human and Economic Story of Workforce Housing
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In 2024, 20% of food bank users spent 100% of their income on housing costs.In 2024, 20% of food bank users spent 100% of their income on housing costs. Source: Who’s Hungry Report 2024, Daily Bread Food Drive
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Housing unaffordability is costing the GTHA $5.9–$7.9 billion annually in lost productivity and service strain.Housing unaffordability is costing the GTHA $5.9–$7.9 billion annually in lost productivity and service strain. Source: The Why: The Human and Economic Story of Workforce Housing
Housing Affordability Goals
Elevate awareness of housing affordability and accelerate coordinated & integrated action on affordability across the housing spectrum.
Better guide decision-makers by providing a data-driven, holistic view of issues and opportunities for action at a larger scale.
Build an aligned multi-stakeholder constituency of support for solutions impacting housing & related policy areas and help amplify responses to the housing crisis in the GTHA.
Housing Affordability Collaborative
CivicAction’s Housing Affordability Collaborative was formed in early 2024 and brings together leaders from across sectors—development, finance, construction, academia, non-profit, philanthropy, and government—to advance coordinated solutions for middle-income housing.
This group plays a critical role in shaping CivicAction’s housing affordability advocacy, research, and pathways to action.
Mission: Affordable is CivicAction’s public awareness campaign to highlight the impact of unaffordability on local services, economies, individuals, and communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
CivicAction brings together leaders across sectors to mobilize collective action to support affordability for middle-income workers and households.
The Facts
Housing Affordability Partners
Our cities work when the workers who power them can afford to live there
Fast-tracking the future of housing
Centre for Housing Innovation
As a long-standing civic convener in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, CivicAction is proud to be a partner on the DMZ Centre for Housing Affordability (CHI).
Accelerator for Housing Solutions
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Industry experts & mentorship
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State-of-the-art facilities
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Resources to pilot and scale solutions in real-world settings
Training Program for Housing & Manufacturing Innovation
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Sustainable design
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New homebuilding techniques
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Regulatory compliance
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Innovative building materials
Our CHI Partners
Our work is supported by an array of incredible organizations and individuals committed to giving back to the region they live and work in.
The Centre for Housing Innovation is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
CHI Accelerator Companies
