In This Newsletter:
- Register NOW Modeling a Regional Approach to Tackle Key Challenges: CAOs highlight actions and potential next steps towards regional initiatives – May 29, 4:30pm via Zoom
- Getting to Affordable: A collaborative social finance and housing project and event
- Celebrating & Elevating Entrepreneurs with a Triple Bottom Line – May 24
UPCOMING EVENT: Wednesday, May 29, 4:30-6 pm via Zoom
Modeling a Regional Approach to Tackle Key Challenges: CAOs highlight actions and potential next steps towards regional initiatives
Speakers:
- Andrew McNeill, CAO, Wasaga Beach
- John Ferguson, CAO, Clearview
- Karen Govan, CAO, Grey Highlands
- Shawn Everitt, CAO, The Blue Mountains
- Sonya Skinner, CAO, Collingwood
Many municipalities are currently updating Official Plans, Strategic Plans, Sustainability Plans, and Community Improvement Plans. This community conversation focusses on the fact that our most pressing challenges are too big for any one municipality to solve on their own. Affordable housing shortages to infrastructure strains, rapidly growing population to the escalating impact of extreme weather events call for new ways to solve problems, work on initiatives together, and do things we’ve never done before.
This virtual event aims to provide a platform for a public discussion featuring regional CAOs highlighting current actions addressing key challenges faced by municipalities. We will hear their thoughts on conditions for success to nurture alignment on objectives, pool resources, and tackle these issues regionally. Participate in the community conversation Q & A! Register NOW!
Getting to Affordable – How Do the Numbers Work???
An update on the collaborative research proforma with Rental Rescue, University of Toronto (U of T), and the Institute inspired by the collaborative Social Finance & Housing event held in Meaford Hall last November. More of the formula for success will be shared in the June virtual event Getting to Affordable!
By Jack Vanderkooy, Co-lead Social Finance & Affordable Housing Group
It started with a “gleam in the eye” for our Social Finance & Affordable Housing Group “what if we can find our local nonmarket/affordable housing developers and support their capacity to do more through social finance?” Who would we work with and how would this accelerate finding solutions to our housing crisis? The biggest thing we struggled with was how could we get the numbers to work and use real case studies in our region.
This all became a reality when we met the principal of Rental Rescue, Krystal Valencia, at last November’s affordable housing event. Rental Rescue empowers Canadian nonprofits to compete in the real estate market through acquisition of existing affordable housing stock, retaining affordable rental rates, and safeguarding tenants at-risk of precarious housing. Krystal had connections with Mr. Bo Pelech, a lecturer and advisor at the Rotman School of Management, U of T. He had a group of students who were keen to dig into this case study. The U of T students’ project was partially funded by a major Canadian builder – EllisDon, who provided valuable information to the students as they developed their financial calculations.
During the winter semester, the students got to work on four identified properties – two in Collingwood, one in Owen Sound and one in Meaford. They did the research as to what could be built on these sites as-of-right, based on zoning bylaws. They also produced a robust pro-forma document which identified the costs related to developing a multi-unit purpose built rental building on each site and identified the cost savings by using modular building techniques vs traditional stick-built structures. They also identified the funding shortfalls and how local investors though a community bond with several tranches could assist in the financing of these projects. A sub-team of the Social Finance & Affordable Housing Group met bi-weekly with Mr. Pelech and his students to discuss their findings and to challenge their assumptions based on the knowledge we held about our unique communities.
READ MORE and meet the Rental Rescue and University of Toronto team and be sure to attend the upcoming June event Getting to Affordable! Registration link will be in the next newsletter!
Business Brilliance BBQ: Elevating and Celebrating SGB’s Entrepreneurial Community
Join Vanessa Locicero of Locicero Legal and the Soul Attorney Inc., along with over 100 entrepreneurs from the South Georgian Bay community for an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and empowerment. Business Brilliance BBQ aims to celebrate the resilience and achievements of entrepreneurs and will be held at Duntroon Highlands on Friday, May 24th.
Experience the essence of social entrepreneurship as we mix collaboration, community, and celebration. Enjoy an inspirational address, networking opportunities, live music, delicious food, and raffle prizes supporting local entrepreneurs and Home Horizon. $10 from each ticket sale and all raffle proceeds will go directly to Home Horizon.
“At the Business Brilliance BBQ, we’re not just celebrating entrepreneurship, we’re redefining how business is done.” With an unwavering commitment to community support and collaboration, Vanessa embodies the spirit of social entrepreneurship, where impact and purpose drive every endeavour. See you there – get your tickets today!
