Joel Roberts

Imagine how we would feel if this happened in a Canadian community.

@JohnPasalis Don't think so. it's a rebranding exercise. Development role will be very minor. Focus is on providing low cost financing (like CMHC) for 'affordable' projects and prefab/modular. Maybe sell some federal lands (to whom and for what purpose tbd)

That’s why Build Canada Homes matters. It’s the federal government stepping back in, not just to fund programs, but to build, buy, and preserve affordable housing. 5/

The federal government’s new Build Canada Homes program is a welcome step in tackling Canada’s housing crisis. I want to clear up a couple of misconceptions I keep hearing 🧵⤵️

@DrCameronMurray At least the communist approach proposed means to realize the target

Funny how countries like Australia and Canada now have "5 year plans" for the housing market. A strangely communist approach theglobeandmail.com/canada/british…

It’s worse than “Gaza is being starved and destroyed and no one cares.” It’s that hundreds of millions *do* care and are powerless to stop it. We need a world where that can never happen, where the masses actually have political power.

14 examples of Israeli genocidal barbarities in Gaza. No one can say they did not know. 🧵 1. Shooting holders of white flags, aid seekers

@PHfloor x.com/joelrexroberts…

Home production goes ⬆️ when demand and prices are accelerating. Home production goes ⬇️ when demand slows and prices are decelerating. Home price = what the market is prepared to pay. Let me know when you observe the marketplace behaving differently.

Threatening an entire city of 10 million people, decrying the “waste of human life” from an offensive illegal war that he helped launch, and complaining about the lack of a deal that he blew up by starting that war. Not to mention Trump is the one who broke the ORIGINAL deal back in his first term. What an absolute catastrophe this man is for the country and the world.

@PHfloor Definitely not possible unless they get a public builder to flood the market. Their target is based on CMHC 'housing shortage' estimates which are extremely dubious to begin with (and yet they've gone unchallenged)

@JoelRexRoberts Yeah, would be hard to make the case that: 1) It's possible 2) It's needed

Congratulations Toronto YIMBYs🥳 You made Toronto's new condo supply look like Canada's population growth chart...

A rent freeze would be catastrophic for new construction. Developers simply won't build if they know rents won't increase. The only way to correctly lower rents is to allow developers to build. Supply goes up, rents fall. And builders uh, hang on. Builders keep building? Wait,

Evidence from Canada is clear. More housing supply ≠ lower house prices. Instead, high prices = more supply 1/

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Just in time for xmas! Perfect stocking stuffer for those confused about why housing costs so much! BROKEN CITY summary of reviews Reviews of Broken City: Land Speculation, Inequality, and Urban Crisis by Patrick Condon highlight its comprehensive analysis of the housing crisis and urban land speculation. The book is praised for its clarity, practical solutions, and call to action. Themes and Analysis: Reviewers commend the book's exploration of how land speculation inflates urban land prices, exacerbating inequality and displacing low-income residents. Condon critiques traditional housing solutions, such as deregulation or increasing supply, as insufficient, emphasizing the need for systemic changes like land value taxation, community land trusts, and public investments in housing and infrastructure Comparative Models: The book draws attention to successful approaches, like Vienna's housing policies, where significant investment in affordable and cooperative housing has reduced speculative pressures. Condon contrasts this with cities like Vancouver, where high-density developments have not curbed rising land costs​ Writing and Accessibility: Condon's clear and engaging style makes complex topics like land economics approachable for general readers and policymakers. His use of case studies and practical examples strengthens the book’s arguments​ Reception and Critique: Reviewers, including urban planners and academics, describe the work as timely and essential, offering bold and feasible strategies for equitable urban development. Some note the book's innovative combination of tax and planning policies as key to addressing the housing crisis​University of Chicago Press. Overall, Broken City is celebrated for its ability to unpack the "hyper-financialization" of land and provide actionable recommendations for creating livable and equitable cities.

@PHfloor could I have your e-mail so I can explain?

@JoelRexRoberts I do

This chart shows % population increase and % home price increase since 2004. The trend line excludes Alberta because it is such a huge outlier being the fastest population grower with so little home price appreciation (comparatively) Anyway, do whatever Alberta is doing.

@PHfloor Pierre, do you have average house price data for cities? Wondering if you could help a brother out.

@JoelRexRoberts Here is AB vs BC

@JoelRexRoberts You are right. As for the chart I put together, I didn't theorize anything, I just ran the numbers on two variables to see what would come out. Was surprised to see such a strong correlation ex Alberta. Maybe oil explains it. But wages and GDP/capita in AB are strong.

@PHfloor IMO u should theorize homeownership like any other financial asset. Expectations are what matter, not 'supply and demand'. everyone expects strong returns in BC and ON. AB may be a different story. Expectations in AB likely reflect changes in oil prices.

@JoelRexRoberts It was just to show homeownership rates. Also take my charts and my hot takes with a grain of salt, they are often tongue-in-cheek. Not sure Alberta is doing anything drastically different than anywhere. In fact BC is outpacing AB in terms of housing production to capita.

@PHfloor Not sure what you’re getting at here