Land Assessment Tool
Numerous international reports have identified the use of government land for non-profit housing as one of the most effective means for meeting targets.
What is the Land Assessment Tool?
Land assessments conducted in communities across Canada have generally examined only underutilized or surplus municipal land, and many have lacked a locational focus. Our land assessment considers land owned by federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal governments, and we identify well-located land based on proximity to various amenities and services. The development of a standard approach to land assessment applied across the country enables ready comparison between communities.
In collaboration with partner communities, we have produced a series of interactive maps to display well-located public land for housing in each jurisdiction. For communities that wish to replicate our analysis, we will be publishing a detailed methodology and supplemental training materials. You are welcome to contact us if you would like to see your community’s public land mapped but do not have access to a GIS specialist.
The HART Land Assessment Tool assists communities to use land holdings for social benefit. It also identifies strong candidate sites for the co-location of services and non-profit housing, and empowers communities to advocate for better land use to meet affordable housing targets.
To view more information about the parcels of land included in the map, and to filter parcels by ownership, occupancy, nearby amenities, and more, visit the full-screen tools below:
HART initially mapped twelve communities, and those maps were published in early 2023; in the meantime, those communities have all changed. Due to data-sharing agreements with some communities and costly licensing agreements for others, we’ve removed the maps for 10 of our twelve communities. While the maps are still online, it is important to note that they have not been updated with new data since 2023, and the parcels mapped may look very different. If you have any questions, or if you’d like support to map your community, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Want to understand how we made it?
View our Land Assessment MethodologyLearn more with our e-learning
Enroll in the HART e-learning courseLearn more about the Land Assessment and Property Acquisition Tools in our Microlearning (en français ici):