HART for Government
Free housing needs assessments, maps, and policy tools for Canadian communities
Housing Needs Assessment Tools
Know exactly what your community needs
What sets us apart:
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- Income-based affordability metrics
- Existing deficits and projected population growth
- Measurement of housing need amongst equity-seeking groups
- Comparable data over time, across every community
Here’s you need HNA tools: If your community needs 3,000 apartments under $600/month, building 5,000 high end condos isn’t doing the right work. You need the right data to advocate for the right solutions.
đź“Š Key Insight
90% of households in housing need are paying more than 30% of their income on housing. Income-based planning is the most effective way to build communities that work for everyone.
Our tools use reliable Statistics Canada census data, updated every five years. We produce the only free public tool that breaks down housing need by income, household size, and priority populations in a straightforward, easy-to-use format.
Land Assessment Tools
Find the best sites for affordable housing
Discover government-owned land suitable for non-profit housing development—ranked by vacancy, proximity to essential services, infrastructure, and suitability for construction.
How they work:
- Identifies land owned by three levels of government
- Spots “lazy land” opportunities (e.g., post offices, libraries with development potential)
- See which sites are best suited for housing based on proximity to essential services
Double benefit: Our tool can also reveal gaps in your community. If a neighborhood ranks poorly for grocery store access, there might be an opportunity to build housing above a new grocery store on that land.
Property Acquisitions Tools
Learn from best policy practices worldwide to preserve existing affordability
What’s the best strategy for your community?
Our Property Acquisitions Tool includes:
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Strategy database with Canadian, US, and global examples
Learn from communities that have successfully preserved affordable housing through acquisition programs. -
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Interactive map showing where strategies work
See which approaches are used in communities similar to yours—and how they can work for you. -
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Policy how-to guides for communities of all sizes
Practical, step-by-step guidance helps you select and implement strategies suited to your unique resources and needs. -
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Strengths and weaknesses of each approach
We don’t just show you what exists; we help you understand the trade-offs so you can make informed decisions.
Resources to go more in depth
Access additional tools and learning materials to maximize your use of HART data.
Need more info?
Check out our FAQ page to answer your most burning questions, or get in touch!
