The Housing Trilemma: Why You Can't Afford a Home Artwork

The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

Welcome to the Missing Middle, a podcast about why the middle class in Canada is disappearing. We hope to help you understand why life is becoming unaffordable for so many in this country, and what can be done to reverse course.

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The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

The Housing Trilemma: Why You Can't Afford a Home

May 21, 2025 • Cara Stern, Mike Moffatt, and Meredith Martin • Season 1 • Episode 110

In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the impossible trinity that broke Canadian housing. They explore the implications of stagnant neighborhoods, population growth, and government policies that hinder housing affordability. The conversation delves into the complexities of urban planning, the impact of NIMBYism, and the need for realistic solutions to address the housing crisis.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Gregor Robertson’s rough start as Minister of Housing

03:51 Increased government housing would impact home prices

05:06 Understanding the Impossible Trinity that broke housing

07:37 Examples of cities doing two of three

10:03 Not allowed to grow up or out equals spiking prices

11:21 The illusion of legalized fourplexes

14:15 Ottawa’s zoning reform and stupid two-story height limit

17:33 Toronto’s wealthiest areas are the least dense

18:20 Proposed solutions for housing affordability

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