About HART

Who we are and what we do

Who we are

Canada’s housing crisis affects millions. HART provides the data-driven tools governments need to build the housing we need.

HART is an award-winning research group that builds data-driven tools helping governments and non-profits build the housing we need. Our tools support communities to make better housing policy, address unique community needs, and set targets that will meaningfully address housing gaps. Our tools are used in every province and territory, at every level of government.

What we do

Our suite of tools

HART helps governments and housing providers make decisions that are backed by evidence. We’ve saved communities hundreds of thousands of dollars in data analysis costs, mapped public land to build thousands of homes, and supported communities to preserve existing housing affordability.

Our tools are always free, online, for all.

Housing Needs Assessment Tool

A census-based tool that measures core housing need and affordable shelter costs by income category, household size, and priority populations. Our methods help governments to set effective housing targets that will lift Canadians out of chronic housing need and homelessness.

Use the Tool

Land Assessment Tool

A mapping tool that assesses suitable public land for non-profit affordable housing, based on proximity to key services and amenities. It supports governments to effectively use land, including housing on top (of libraries, health centres etc.) to maximize deeply affordable homes.

View the Maps

Property Acquisitions Tool

A set of policy-based tools that help prevent the loss of existing affordable housing to redevelopment. The tools include a policy map of acquisition policies globally, a report on property acquisitions, and six handy How-To Guides, supporting governments, non-profits, and community land trusts to acquire and preserve affordability across Canada.

Download the Guides

Federal Housing Needs Assessment Template

This HNA Template, developed in collaboration with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), is meant to support communities across Canada to satisfy the requirements of federal funding programs, like the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF), and the Permanent Transit Fund.

Use the template

BC Housing Needs Report Calculator

This calculator has automated the overwhelming majority of provincial requirements for the BC Housing Needs Report, meaning communities in BC can focus on providing meaningful insight into their communities, not on procedural numbers and calculations.

Use the Calculator