“Perhaps the most promising (housing) avenue lies in adaptive reuse of commercial buildings,” write Leilani Farha and Julieta Perucca. “With office vacancy rates around 18 to 19 per cent nationwide, converting existing buildings can deliver homes 50 to 75 per cent faster than new construction while reducing emissions by the same percentage.”

Ottawa must ensure public-private relationships protect tenants and commit to producing social and deeply affordable housing.