About the Video Series
What does it actually cost to build affordable housing in Canada? How do you handle community pushback to your project? What makes a capital stack work? These are real questions nonprofit developers face – so we made this video series to answer them. Each video is short, practical, and grounded in real Canadian projects and case studies. You’ll hear firsthand from non-profit organizations, like St. Clare’s Housing and the Kensington Market Community Land Trust, who are leading this work.
If your organization is thinking about social purpose real estate, affordable housing development, or even just eager to learn more, then this series is for you!
Video topics include:
- The various roles nonprofits play in affordable housing;
- How meaningful community engagement builds stronger projects;
- Why effective governance is the backbone of long-term project success;
- What it really costs to build housing;
- How to develop a sustainable capital stack for your project; and
- The costs and benefits of investing in sustainable, green development.
Videos will be available to the public on the Infrastructure Institute’s YouTube channel in December 2026.
This 6-part video training series was created in partnership between the Infrastructure Institute and the Community Housing Transformation Centre (the “Centre”).
Videos
What Role Do Nonprofits Play in Making Housing Truly Affordable?
with Andrea Adams, Executive Director of St. Clare’s Housing
This introductory video highlights ways that nonprofit organizations are uniquely positioned to lead affordable housing solutions in Canada due to their strong community-based and mission-driven objectives. Through the case study of St. Clare’s Housing, we explore challenges, roles, and best practices for non-profit stewardship and development of affordable housing.
Learning objectives include:
- What are some roles and models for affordable housing?
- Types of affordable housing
- Benefits of non-profit leadership in affordable housing development
- Key challenges for non-profits in affordable housing development
- Best practices for non-profit affordable housing management and development
What Happens When Community says “Yes” to your Project?
with Kizito Musabimana and Jonathan Okubay, Co-Founders of Ubuntu Land Trust & Developments
Affordable housing and supportive housing projects face higher instances of community push back than other types of development. Amidst push back, concern, and even community support, community engagement is a tool to bring neighbours, funders, partners, and clients in alignment with your project. Through conversation with Kizito Musabimana and Founder & Executive Director of Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre, in this video, we learn why and how to meaningfully engage with community members, and equitable, and sustainable developments emerge from culturally responsive, community-based project origins.
Learning objectives include:
- Community engagement strategies
- Guiding principles for meaningful consultation
- Benefits and limits of community engagement
- The Why, What, When, Who and How of community engagement
How do you Design Strong Governance for SPRE Success?
with Celia Wandio, Co-Director, Development, with Kensington Market Community Land Trust
In this video, we explore the importance of a good governance structure to develop and operate SPRE projects. The video presents considerations to have in mind when designing a governance structure. We discuss partnership options available for non-profits, how to identify roles and responsibilities to manage risks and timelines, and how to assess internal capacity. The case study of the Kensignton Market Community Land Trust is presented as an example of how strong governance can help you achieve your organization’s mission.
Learning objectives include:
- Learn how to build and strengthen governance structures
- Explore common partnership structures
- Assess internal organizational capacity effectively
What Does It Really Cost to Build Housing? (And Can You Do It for $500K?)
with Scott Dutchak, President of Catalyst Community Development
This video examines how to start financial planning for your SPRE project, exploring construction and development costs. The video presents key aspects of development that have a considerable impact on a project’s cost, such as location, material costs, policy requirements, and more. We introduce the concept of Pro Formas and business plan development. We interview Scott Dutchak with Catalyst Community Development to learn more about the finances of real-life SPRE projects.
Learning objectives include:
- Present key concepts of real estate financial planning
- Explain what drives changes in project costs
- Introduce pro formas and the process for business plan development
Funding the Mission: How Do You Build Your Capital Stack?
with Nick Yeo, Director of Client Services with Tapestry Capital
This video explores how non-profit organizations can fund their SPRE project. It presents strategies to combine multiple funding sources and discusses core concepts of real estate capital stack, debt and equity. We sat down with Tapestry Community Capital to discuss how non-profits can fundraise and finance projects through community bonds.
Learning objectives include:
- Introduce key terms related to capital stack
- Present the options non-profit organizations have for funding
- Discuss ways to combine multiple funding sources
What are the Costs and Benefits When You Invest in Going Green?
with Sheena Sharp, Cool Earth Architecture
This video explores what non-profits should consider for environmental sustainability when developing SPRE projects. Although building green might initially add costs to the construction, going green can help your organization save on future operation and maintenance costs. The video highlights some of the main green building standards and funding opportunities for sustainable building. We interview Cool Earth Architecture to show how organizations incorporate sustainable design to better serve their community and achieve their vision for the project.
Learning objectives include:
- Present key standards for green constructions
- Explain how sustainability can be aligned with an organization’s mission
- Highlight funding opportunities for building green