Richard Lyall

LATEST STORIES BY RICHARD LYALL

RESCON: Factory-built homes could be part of the solution

In Sweden, prefabrication now accounts for 84 per cent of the country’s residential construction market share

January 13, 2023 Homes

Pre-fab and modular factory-built construction of new homes has the potential to cut costs while reducing waste and making work-sites safer.

In a housing shortage, the only way to go is up

The city has limited the height of buildings along one stretch of the Danforth but times have changed

December 9, 2022 Homes

We are in a housing crisis, and it is time to rethink the restrictions. Taller buildings and higher-density development, especially in neighbourhoods along main transit lines in the city, must be allowed.

RESCON: Streamlining the approval process

Pilot project to implement a digital platform to streamline and modernize the residential development approvals process should pay dividends

November 11, 2022 Homes

Processes for residential projects are presently lengthy and complex which results in delays and increased costs that lead to higher housing prices, lower supply, and fewer affordable housing units.

RESCON: New housing plan requires action

It will require an all-hands-on-deck approach by all three levels of government if we are to provide the housing that’s needed

October 7, 2022 Homes

Municipally, major changes are needed so that planning and development divisions will have to expedite housing applications and approvals with mandated timelines.

RESCON: More is needed to boost housing supply

While progress is being made, a slow approval process and higher development fees are hurting us

September 9, 2022 Homes

Developers are eager to work with government to address housing supply and affordability challenges, but key barriers such as a slow approval process must still be removed to build faster.

RESCON: Decision to hike development charges in Toronto makes no sense

Hiking DCs at a time like this is pure insanity and will undoubtedly affect bringing new home projects to market. Cancellations have already started.

August 12, 2022 Homes

The province has announced it wants to build 1.5 million new homes in the next decade. Actions such as an increase in development fees taken by the city are moving in the wrong direction.

RESCON: Can Toronto afford an exodus?

There is much work still to be done if the provincial government hopes to reach the goal of building 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years

July 8, 2022 Homes

Toronto was number 10 on the list of declining cities, with a decrease of 16,563 persons in 2021 – in stark contrast to recent years when it was one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and Canada.

RESCON: Keep housing on the political radar

There was plenty of talk about the housing supply crisis during the recent provincial election campaign, with all parties committing to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years.

June 10, 2022 Homes

. Toronto is the worst city in Canada when it comes to the number of housing units – at 360 per 1,000 people.

RESCON: A sure-fire way to kill new housing

Proposed hike in development charges would be a major setback to new home construction industry

May 16, 2022 Homes

With the average price of a detached home in Toronto now hovering around the $1.45-million mark, this is not the time to put more obstacles in the way of development.

Building more homes is something we can do

It’s hoped that the proposals in the More Homes for Everyone Act will get the ball rolling on more housing supply

April 8, 2022 Homes

At a recent housing supply summit hosted by RESCON, Richard Lyall stated the housing situation is indeed a crisis and the time for talk is over.