Why Canada Makes Housing So Hard To Build ft. Chris Spoke | Ep.29 BLD Financial Podcast

“The harder it is to build housing, the less housing gets built… and then we have an affordability crisis.” Canada says it wants more housing… So why does the system make it so difficult to actually build it? In this episode of the BLD Financial Podcast, we sit down with developer, housing advocate, and Toronto Standard partner Chris Spoke to break down the real reasons Canada’s housing affordability crisis continues to get worse despite years of policy changes and government intervention. From zoning restrictions and building code requirements to CMHC financing policies and development economics, this conversation explores how many of the systems designed to improve affordability may actually be making housing harder and more expensive to build. Chris also shares his journey from software and housing policy advocacy into real estate development, and explains why he believes missing middle housing could play a major role in solving Canada’s supply crisis if governments stop getting in the way. This conversation goes deep into what’s actually preventing housing from being built in Canada today, why developers are struggling to make projects viable, and what needs to change if the country wants to improve affordability for future generations. We break down: ✅ Why Canada makes housing so difficult to build ✅ The real problems with CMHC financing programs ✅ Why overregulation is making affordability worse ✅ The challenges facing missing middle development in Toronto ✅ Why many small multifamily projects no longer work financially ✅ The hidden costs inside building code and zoning requirements ✅ Why developers are avoiding certain projects entirely ✅ The growing affordability crisis facing young Canadians ✅ How policy, financing, and construction costs are colliding ✅ What actually needs to change to increase housing supply As Canada continues to face rising housing costs, affordability challenges, and slowing development activity, this episode provides a real, unfiltered look at the policies, incentives, and structural issues shaping the future of housing. Whether you’re a real estate investor, developer, mortgage professional, policy enthusiast, or simply trying to understand why housing has become so expensive in Canada, this episode offers an insider perspective on the realities of building in today’s market. About Chris Spoke Chris Spoke is a Toronto-based real estate developer, housing advocate, and partner at Toronto Standard, a development firm focused on midrise rental housing and missing middle development in Toronto. Before entering real estate development, Chris spent years studying housing policy and advocating for zoning reform and increased housing supply in Canadian cities. He is widely known for his work and commentary around housing affordability, urban planning, development policy, and missing middle housing. Chris is also a founder of the Missing Middle Summit, an annual conference focused on housing policy, urban development, and the future of housing in Canada. Through Toronto Standard and his public commentary, Chris has become one of the leading voices in Canada discussing the intersection of housing policy, development economics, financing, and affordability. Follow & Connect with Chris Spoke: Website - https://chrisspoke.com/ LinkedIn -   / chris-spoke   X - https://x.com/chrisspoke Instagram -   / chrisspoke   Toronto Standard - https://www.torontostandard.co/ Missing Middle Summit - https://missingmiddlesummit.com/ Follow & Connect with Josh & Ehren: Instagram -   / bldfinancial   Facebook -   / bldfinancial   YouTube - @bldfinancial Listen to the BLD Financial Podcast on your favorite Podcast Streaming Service: Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3M2qJk6... Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/191... 00:00 Intro Who Is Chris Spoke? 00:53 From Software To Housing Development 02:23 Finding A Profitable Development Model 04:25 Why Small Multifamily Projects Are So Difficult 07:21 The Equity Gap In Missing Middle Development 11:24 Why Understanding Policy Creates Opportunity 13:10 Biggest Problems With Housing Policy 15:28 Why Canada’s Building Code Makes Housing More Expensive 17:15 How CMHC Policies Are Backfiring 20:02 Why Overregulation Hurts Housing Affordability 22:14 Energy Efficiency vs Real Affordability 26:22 How Canada Could Actually Fix Housing 29:12 Young Canadians Are Losing Hope 35:07 Future Of Construction & Prefabrication 43:22 CMHC Financing Problems Developers Face 48:33 Final Thoughts & Future Of Housing In Canada DLC National License: 12360 #HousingCrisis #RealEstateCanada #TorontoRealEstate