A G7 of Housing: Addressing the Global Housing Crisis

As world leaders converge in Canada for the G7 Summit, discussions will inevitably focus on significant global issues: security, climate change, innovation, and economic resilience. However, one critical challenge may not even reach the agenda—the housing crisis. This issue, affecting cities from Toronto to Tokyo and Paris to San Francisco, is urgent. Housing affordability is in decline as rents rise faster than wages, homeownership slips out of reach for many, and even those with middle incomes are grappling with the rising cost of living in urban centers. While the crisis may seem local, it is fundamentally a global concern, yet it lacks the coordinated international response seen in other urgent matters.

Rethinking Housing as an International Challenge

Traditionally, housing has been viewed as a local issue, managed by municipalities and provincial governments. What if we were to treat housing with the same level of international urgency and collaboration as other G7 priorities? The concept of a ‘G7 of Housing’ could pave the way for a coordinated global strategy that addresses the myriad complexities of the housing crisis.

Vienna: The Model of Lasting Affordability

Vienna serves as a benchmark for sustainable housing practices. In this city of nearly two million, over 60% of residents live in rent-controlled or publicly subsidized housing, a testament to decades of policy that views housing as critical infrastructure. Vienna actively shapes its housing market through strategic planning and funding, ensuring high-quality, sustainable developments that remain affordable. Unlike cities such as Toronto, where local governments lack the requisite powers and resources, Vienna’s robust public land ownership model and stringent design standards exemplify what is possible when public interests guide housing policy.

Japan: Zoning Flexibility and Housing Supply

Despite facing significant housing shortages globally, Japan has managed to maintain affordability in its bustling cities, including Tokyo. The key lies in its nationally standardized zoning system, which allows for a wide range of land uses across different zoning categories. This inclusive approach permits various housing types to coexist, preventing local opposition from stifling development. The result has been a steady supply of housing that meets demand, even amidst population growth. Canada could greatly benefit from adopting similar zoning reforms to align supply with its growing population and sustainability goals.

France: Activating Public Land Strategically

France stands out in its systematic approach to public land management. The government actively maps and organizes public land for housing development, prioritizing not just rapid offloading but strategic outcomes tied to housing affordability and sustainable design. By employing tools like long-term leases and public-private partnerships, France has managed to maintain a balance between land availability and social equity. Such practices could offer valuable insights for countries dealing with high housing pressures, illustrating that strategic land use can yield long-term benefits.

Finland: The Long-Term Benefits of Public Ownership

Finland’s Housing First model has emerged as a global benchmark for addressing homelessness, fundamentally shifting perspectives by viewing housing as a basic human right. By offering stable housing first and complementing it with essential support services, Finland has drastically reduced chronic homelessness rates. Moreover, through municipally owned development companies, the country continues to generate affordable rental housing, reinforcing the stability of supply and keeping rents manageable—an approach worth exploring for other nations, including Canada.

Germany: Balancing Tenant Protections for a Healthy Market

Germany exemplifies how a renter-friendly system can function effectively. There, long-term leases, rent increase limitations, and robust tenant protections contribute to a stable rental market where renting is valued as a primary residential option. This balanced approach supports both renters and landlords, showcasing how protective measures can work harmoniously within a well-structured housing strategy. By learning from Germany, Canadian jurisdictions could refine their rental market legislation to institute transparent and equitable systems.

Sweden: Sustained Public Investment for Affordability

Sweden has long championed housing as essential social infrastructure. The Million Programme, launched in the 20th century, stood as a commitment to rapid building, resulting in a significant number of enduring homes. Today, Sweden continues to blend public land ownership, non-profit housing providers, and rental subsidies within coordinated national planning efforts, ensuring both affordability and quality. The Swedish model serves as a roadmap for countries striving for sustainable housing futures.

Canada: Harnessing Public-Private Partnerships

Despite facing numerous challenges, Canada is exploring innovative mechanisms for delivering affordable housing through partnerships between government and the private sector. Initiatives like the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) and the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) illustrate a shift in addressing systemic barriers. By streamlining zoning laws, reducing unnecessary limitations, and enhancing community density, Canada is beginning to adopt strategies that could propel the nation towards a more robust housing supply. However, the key lies in scaling these efforts and maintaining long-term commitments.

A Call for Global Coordination

The absence of a coordinated global response to the housing crisis is striking. Countries possess valuable lessons and practices that could be shared, tested, and scaled to combat housing issues worldwide. Imagine annual meetings for housing ministers from each G7 nation—not merely to issue reports but to compare results, share successful strategies, and hold one another accountable.

In a world increasingly shaped by urban living, where housing affects public health, economic stability, and climate resilience, it deserves comparable attention and international cooperation as other critical issues. As Canada hosts the G7, there exists a unique opportunity to lead by example. A G7 of Housing could lay the groundwork for a more coordinated and humane approach to one of today’s most pressing challenges—a crisis that no longer respects borders.

By uniting countries in pursuit of shared housing goals, we can reshape the narrative around housing from a local issue to a global responsibility, thus beginning to solve a crisis that impacts us all.