Kindred Works taking steps to help Canada’s housing crisis
by CM Staff
The new, independent developer is working towards the goal of housing 34,000 people in the next 15 years.
TORONTO — A new property developer has joined Canada’s construction landscape, but not for the usual reasons.
This new company, calling itself Kindred Works, has announced plans to build a solution to Canada’s housing crisis.
With 600 homes in active pre-development and stated goals to expand this number to 1,500 by the end of the year, the new developer is executing its efforts to house 34,000 people across the country in the next 15 years.
Kindred Works also says it will refurbish existing residential infrastructure and other properties in large urban and small communities to provide people with homes as well as places where they can gather.
All units will be rental, and one third of them will be available below market prices.
According to Tim Blair, CEO of Kindred Works, the company operates on the belief that housing is fundamental to a person’s ability to thrive. This in turn can be good for business.
“We are demonstrating that it’s possible to provide equal benefits for your business, for the people you serve, for wider society and the environment,” said Blair in a statement.
Kindred Works explained in its announcement that it serves as asset manager to the United Property Resource Corporation — an organization created through the United Church of Canada in an effort to ensure church properties contribute positively to society.
The company’s housing strategy resulted from the collaborative efforts of the UPRC, investors and experts with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, architectural firms, sustainability experts, community and culture workers.
Kindred Works says it will spend at least 80 per cent of its project costs on employing local labour. Additionally, the company aims to produce 80 per cent less carbon in construction than the present industry standard.
After completing construction of these new spaces, Kindred Works plans to deploy caretakers to these properties to ensure proper maintenance and look after the needs of people living in these spaces.
