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In this episode, we dive into the world of affordable housing with Mwarigha, Vice President of Housing Growth Development and Asset Sustainability at Woodgreen Community Services, one of Canada’s leading non-profit organizations. Learn about Mwarigha journey, Woodgreen’s strategies to deliver 5,000 new affordable homes, and their achievements, including the Toronto First National Co-investment Fund project.

We also discuss the significant challenges non-profits face in creating affordable housing, innovative solutions, and the new Affordable Housing Investment Fund. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on future-proofing housing and making a social impact.

• Challenges in Non-Profit Housing
• The Role of Private Developers in Affordable Housing
• Successful Partnerships: The Daniels Corporation Example
• Addressing Housing Supply Shortages
• Woodgreen’s Green Building Initiatives
• Private vs. Government Investment in Housing
• The Shift Towards Density and Its Consequences
• National Housing Strategy and Policy Challenges
• Proposing a New Affordable Housing Fund

Mwarigha M.S. is the Vice President of Housing Growth, Development & Asset Sustainability at WoodGreen Community Services, one of Canada’s leading non-profit affordable housing and human-services organizations. He previously served as General Manager of Peel Housing Corporation (2010 -2017), Ontario’s third-largest municipal housing provider.

A seasoned developer, he leads WoodGreen’s strategy to deliver 5,000 new homes through development, partnerships, and acquisitions. His achievements include delivering Toronto’s first National Co-Investment Fund and Open-Door Program project – 36 homes for low-income and high-needs seniors -completed during the pandemic and fully occupied in 2022.

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In this insightful episode, Payam sit down with Mazyar Mortazavi, the President and CEO of TAS, a Toronto-based real estate company. Mazyar shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to Canada to working in real estate development and asset management. They delve into the core principles and lessons learned from scaling a real estate business, the importance of financial discipline, risk, leverage and timing. Mazyar also discusses the paradigm shift currently impacting the real estate market, highlighting its challenges and the potential for innovation and community-centric approaches. Moreover, they touch on the importance of impact investing, sustainability, and social equity in real estate. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating the current economic landscape and building a resilient, impact-driven real estate business.

• First Development Projects and Lessons Learned
• Understanding Correlation in Business Decisions
• Starting with Impact from Day One
• Scaling and Risk Management in Development
• Nonprofit Leadership and Governance
• The Importance of Community and Collaboration

TAS is an industry leader in impact-driven ground-up development and asset management.TAS manage a best-in-class private equity platform focused on the belief that profit is foundational, but not the only goal.

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In this episode, Sarah Segal, CEO of Simply DBS, delves deep into the world of real estate analytics and what it means to be a data-driven landlord. Sarah shares her extensive background in commercial real estate and offers insights on how data can enhance decision-making across housing, office, retail, and industrial spaces. The discussion covers various aspects, from the importance of predictive analytics and community building to the impact of AI and technology on property management. Learn about the significance of tenant data, trending preferences in housing layouts, and the critical role of community and safety in retaining tenants. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to real estate, Sarah's expertise offers invaluable guidance on leveraging data to improve property management and development strategies.

• Discussion on Real Estate Development
• Purpose-Built Rentals vs. Condos
• Survey Methodology and Data Collection
• Insights from Tenant Surveys
• Addressing Tenant Needs and Preferences
• Balconies and Building Design Considerations
• Safety, Technology, and AI in Real Estate
• AI in Property Management
• Importance of Quick Maintenance Response
• Connected Living Experience
• Essential Amenities for Modern Living
• Community Building and Resident Retention
• Designing for Resident Needs
• Leveraging Data for Development Decisions
• Challenges and Solutions in Property Management

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In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam Noursalehi dives into the fascinating world of digitization, new-age technologies, and construction innovation in real estate development. Joined by three esteemed guests—Amy Villis, Leigh Newman, and Stephan Mansour—the discussion explores the potential of 3D printing, AI, and other digital solutions in transforming the housing industry. Amy, Director of Housing Growth Innovation at Digital, provides an overview of her organization's mission and the projects they're investing in. Leigh, CEO of Print, shares insights on the challenges and successes in adopting 3D printing in construction. Stephan Mansour talks about the importance of standards and certifications in advancing new technologies. Together, they examine the current state of the industry, regulatory hurdles, and the critical role of innovation in meeting housing demands. Tune in for an in-depth conversation on how these pioneering approaches can lead to better, more sustainable homes.

• Housing Growth Innovation
• What is Additive Construction?
• 3D Printing Standards for Construction
• Challenges and Innovations in Construction
• The Role of Data in Housing Innovation
• Easing Innovation into the Construction Ecosystem
• Concerns About New Technologies in Construction
• Challenges with Adoption and Implementation
• Record-Breaking 3D Printed Building Project
• Navigating Regulatory and Permitting Hurdles
• On-site Quality Assurance and Innovations
• Material and Technology Integration

https://mid-rise.ca/

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In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam speaks with Daniel Kolominsky, Senior Planner with the City of Toronto. Together, they explore the City’s Multiplex Monitoring Report, unpack the development review process, and examine how new regulations are shaping multiplex housing across Toronto. The conversation sheds light on the drivers behind permit activity, approval timelines, construction costs, and emerging trends that will influence the next phase of urban planning. Tune in for a data-driven discussion on how Toronto is working to expand housing options and support more accessible, diverse communities.

• The Role and Impact of City Planning
• Challenges and Improvements in Development Review
• Insights from the Multiplex Monitoring Report
• Approval Timelines and Construction Insights
• Geographical Distribution of Permits
• Factors Influencing Multiplex Locations
• Challenges and Considerations for Multiplex Construction
• Tracking and Potential of Multiplex Developments
• Building Structures and Permit Trends
• Cost Estimations and Lot Sizes
• Lessons Learned and Future Steps
• Final Thoughts and Advice for Applicants

Related Links

• https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/planning-studies-initiatives/multiplex-housing/
• https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.PH22.3

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In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, our host Payam sits down with Peter Norman, Vice President and Chief Economist at Altus Group. Together, they explore a wide range of topics critical to the real estate development industry, from shifting demographic demands and historical market data to current trends impacting the commercial real estate industry outlook. They dive deep into the importance of affordability, macroeconomic considerations, infrastructure finance, and the role of government initiatives in housing development. This comprehensive discussion provides invaluable insight for developers, investors, and professionals navigating the evolving landscape of real estate.

• Canada Commercial Real Estate Outlook
• Macro-housing outlook: Canada 2025
• Affordability as a structural driver in the GTA
• Impact of Demographic Shifts
• The shift to rental and multi-unit products in Canada
• Pre-sales risk in Ontario/BC and conversion to rental
• Pent-Up Demand and Future Projections
• Affordability and Productivity in Housing
• Investment Strategies for Real Estate Developers
• Top metrics developers and investors must watch
• Retail and Office Space Market Outlook

Altus Group is a trusted partner to some of the world’s leading commercial real estate (CRE) investors, managers, and advisors, seamlessly connecting its capabilities across the business to deliver the on-demand performance intelligence the industry requires. By leveraging its proprietary ARGUS technology, investing in data standardization, and generating actionable insights, Altus Group empowers clients to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and achieve exceptional returns.

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In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, Payam speaks with Chris Spoke, partner at Toronto Standard, a firm specializing in midrise rental infill in Toronto. The episode dives into Chris’s unconventional journey from a digital background to a real estate developer, his advocacy for midrise projects, the challenges and opportunities in this sector, and the importance of long-term ownership. They also discuss intriguing topics, including policy improvements, the benefits of midrise construction, and a unique approach to sourcing project sites. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in real estate development, especially those looking to understand the evolving landscape in Toronto.

• Challenges and Insights in Real Estate Development
• Mid-rise and Rental Infill Projects
• Micro vs. Macro Trends in Urban Development
• Why Six Stories Is the Sweet Spot for Toronto Real Estate Developmnet
• As-of-Right Zoning & Policy Barriers
• The Long-Term Ownership Model
• Operational Considerations for Long-Term Ownership
• Construction Efficiency & Prefab Insights
• Fixing Ontario’s Building Code

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In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, Payam speaks with Arash Shahi, PhD, P Eng, PMP, and CEO of Land Logic, about Real Estate Innovation. Arash shares his impressive journey in the real estate sector, spanning over 20 years, and discusses his pivotal role in innovations such as the ACO Innovation Lab and One Ontario. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of digitizing the Ontario Building Code, the need for standardized data exchange in real estate, and the future impact of AI on the industry. They further discuss how municipalities and the private sector must adapt to this evolving landscape, as well as the critical role of leadership and public-private partnerships. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of real estate development and the transformative role of technology.

• Real Estate Innovation
• Digitizing the Ontario Building Code
• The Need for Centralized Permitting Systems
• The Imperative for Digitization in Real Estate
• Building Land Logic: Data Exchange as Infrastructure
• Why AI Will Reshape Real Estate Decisioning
• The Municipal Challenge & Opportunity
• Challenges in BIM Adoption
• What Real Estate Professionals Should Watch
• AI’s Impact on Jobs and Industry
• Opportunities in Construction Tech

LandLogic is led by an elite management team with deep expertise across the architectural, engineering, construction, real estate and academic sectors.

Our leaders include top innovators in construction and development, experts in AEC software sales, and seasoned strategists in global marketing. Specialists with robust backgrounds in complex financial landscapes and cutting-edge technologies like GIS and geomatics guide financial and technical strategies. With a proven track record in transforming organizational engagement and elevating brand experiences, our marketing and creative leaders ensure LandLogic remains at the forefront of industry advancements. This formidable team positions LandLogic to drive innovation and leadership in land data insights.

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