In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the impossible trinity that broke Canadian housing. They explore the implications of stagnant neighborhoods, population growth, and government policies that hinder housing affordability. The conversation delves into the complexities of urban planning, the impact of NIMBYism, and the need for realistic solutions to address the housing crisis.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Gregor Robertson’s rough start as Minister of Housing

03:51 Increased government housing would impact home prices

05:06 Understanding the Impossible Trinity that broke housing

07:37 Examples of cities doing two of three

10:03 Not allowed to grow up or out equals spiking prices

11:21 The illusion of legalized fourplexes

14:15 Ottawa’s zoning reform and stupid two-story height limit

17:33 Toronto’s wealthiest areas are the least dense

18:20 Proposed solutions for housing affordability

Research links:

The Impossible Trinity that Broke Canadian Housing

Can Homes Become Affordable Without Prices Going Down?

Toronto Star fourplex piece

How Community Consultation is Ruining Democracy

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:13 Job market statistics

02:10 Why the job market is so bad right now

04:27 Different ways to measure the job market

07:02 Things are particularly bad in Ontario

09:02 High unemployment fractures the social fabric

11:25 The impact of a slow job market on lifetime earning

13:32 How youth unemployment shapes political priorities

14:58 Will the soft job market result in increased school enrollment?

17:40 Is an improved credential worth the cost?

20:41 Job searching lasting over six months

22:08 Solutions and policy recommendations

Research/links

Canadian Labour Market Update Q1 2025: Jobs in Purgatory

Ontario’s unemployment rate jumps to 7% even as ‘moderate’ job creation continues

Alex Usher blog - Opportunity and Talent

Something Alarming Is Happening to the Job Market

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson review – make America build again

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

He's got 215,000 YouTube subscribers and millions of views. The urban planner and YouTube creator Uytae Lee sits down with Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt to have a fun and wide-ranging conversation about housing and the systemic hurdles to building more of it. Uytae shares insights on creating engaging content about housing, urban planning, design and the realities of YouTube monetization. The discussion also touches on the challenges of prefabricated housing, the need for innovation and some free advice for the new prime minister of Canada.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:14 Understanding the B.C. housing situation and housing taxes

04:12 Getting lucky with single egress video

05:41 The impact of building codes on housing

08:49 Creating engaging YouTube content

12:55 The reality of YouTube monetization

14:34 How long it takes to make an About Here video

15:41 Are you hopeful about housing?

17:44 Political discourse on housing

18:15 Caution around factory built homes as a panacea

21:30 Uytae’s favourite form of housing

23:35 Good governance could mean good housing policy

25:17 Immigration, housing and the backlash

27:24 Start with what you want to create and work backwards

Research/Links

Uytae Lee’s YouTube page:

The Housing Tax Crisis

Why North America Can't Build Nice Apartments (because of one rule)

How Breaking Rules Could Create Better Apartments

Why is it So Hard to Mass-Produce Housing?

How a SoftBank-Backed Construction Startup Burned Through $3 Billion

How Elevator Rules Cost Us Homes: An Interview with Market Urbanism

Eight Pieces of Housing Advice to the Prime Minister

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.