1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
4:00 p.m. ‐ 5:30 p.m.
A brief context presentation followed by a roundtable discussion with municipal public sector leaders on the challenges and lessons learned of delivering affordable housing in the 21st century.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn of the City of Toronto's housing strategies with representation from some of the key agencies responsible for delivery
2. Discussion of challenges to the provision of affordable housing (both in operations and development)
3. Discussion of how current housing developments differ from the projects that they are replacing
4. Discussion of the concept of "complete communities" and how today's focus on quantity has its own unique challenges.
Jessica Hawes, Acting Chief Development Office, Toronto Community Housing
Jessica Hawes is the Acting Chief Development Officer at Toronto Community Housing. TCHC’s Development team of architects, planners, engineers, project managers, and engagement and relocation specialists lead some of Ontario’s largest community renewal projects. The team is also actively supporting the City of Toronto in its mandate to increase the delivery of new affordable housing for Toronto residents.
As a licensed architect, registered planner and urban designer, Jessica has more than 20 years of experience in the sustainable planning of new communities with a focus on urban renewal and intensification. She has extensive planning and architectural experience in the design, approval, and construction of complete communities. This work has included the delivery residential buildings, public spaces, art centres, retail centres, community facilities, waterfront communities, as well as office and commercial developments. Her professional work extends internationally throughout North America, Europe and Southern Africa.
Noah Slater, Director, Housing Development, Renewal and Improvement at the Housing Secretariat, City of Toronto
Noah Slater is the Director, Housing Development, Renewal and Improvement at the Housing Secretariat at the City of Toronto. In this role, he is responsible for the delivery of net new affordable housing units in accordance with the City’s Mandate to Urgently Build More Homes. Through that work, Noah leads the team in the delivery of residential construction projects, taking them from conception to occupancy.
Previously, Noah was the Director of Capital Planning, Design & Engineering for Toronto Community Housing (TCHC). There, he oversaw the ongoing renewal of over 50 million square feet of residential space -- a public asset portfolio worth over $10B. As an architect with nearly 20 years of senior experience, he has led the delivery of a wide variety of complex mixed-use, residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Noah’s recent work is focused on implementing a transformative capital action.