1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
2:00 p.m.‐ 3:30 p.m.
Consolidated Housing Master Plan (CHMP) was commissioned by Niagara Regional Housing (NRH); one of many initiatives under Niagara Region’s broader Affordable Housing Strategy, it guides the development of new community housing units in Niagara to 2045. To keep pace with demand for community housing units, the CHMP determined that 479 net new units per year would need to be constructed by 2045 to eliminate the projected housing stock deficit. NRH does not have the resources to supply these new units on its own and is seeking new funding sources and partnerships to deliver these new units.
In order to support the construction of as many units as quickly possible, Niagara Region’s Community Services offers formal project management services to Niagara’s housing providers through a team of three Housing Development Project Managers. Each Project Manager supports with the logistics for all phases of development, including applications for funding, concept planning and design, and construction.
This session discusses the findings of the CHMP and offers insight on examples of recent successful affordable and community housing developments in Niagara that are being supported by Niagara Region’s Housing Development Project Managers.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to proactively identify land for affordable housing development and the steps that go into site preparation.
2. Learn how to tailor an affordable housing development to meet the needs of the community and improve its likelihood of being awarded funding support (including building design accessibility targets).
3. Learn how to design an affordable housing building to meet the needs of its target population and its planned internal supporting functions and services.
4. Understand ways to strengthen the ability to build relationships and promote collaboration and partnerships with entities that can deliver a range of housing options.
Alexander Morrison, RPP
Development Industry and Housing Consultant Niagara Region
Alex Morrison is a development industry and housing consultant working in Niagara Region’s Strategic Transformation Office under its Growth Strategy and Economic Development Department. His current portfolio involves managing the implementation of Niagara Region’s Consolidated Housing Master Plan.
Alex is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) who completed his undergraduate program in the School of Planning from the University of Waterloo and has more than eight years of progressive working experience at the Region in a variety planning policy and development review roles. Alex works closely with the Region’s Housing Development Project Managers to support the creation of new affordable housing units across Niagara.
Gordon Szaszi
Housing Development Project Manager, Niagara Region
Gordon Szazsi continues to enjoy his role as housing development project manager with the Niagara Region. He specializes in affordable housing multi‐ residential development in both Government and non‐profit sectors, and is responsible for providing full development consulting and project management services through all project phases. Gord has over 17 years of experience in development financing, planning, design, and construction.
Dean Pilon, CET
Housing Development Project Manager, Niagara Region
Dean Pilon is an accomplished new housing development project manager at Niagara Region since 2019 and brings to the table nearly 30 years of noteworthy experience in the construction industry. Prior to joining the public sector, Dean contributed his expertise to a multitude of projects across Canada while working in the private sector. As a Red Seal certified carpenter and a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET), Dean combines his hands‐on experience with technical proficiency. His strategic leadership and wealth of industry knowledge position him as a driving force behind the success of new development initiatives in the Niagara Region.
Jeff Davies
Housing Development Project Manager, Niagara Region
Jeff Davies construction career began in 2014 when he began studying at Niagara Collage in the Construction Engineering Technology Course. Gradating in 2016, Jeff took an interest in estimating, and project management while working with Horne Construction on various custom homes and commercial projects in the Greater Toronto Area. Since launching his career, Jeff has worked on a number of projects for the Hilton, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and began working for Niagara Regional Housing in January of 2021. Jeff has primarily lead projects for NRH’s Homelessness Division. Over the past three years, he has primarily worked on pilot projects for bridge housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing for women and children. These projects aim to assist those suffering from long‐term homelessness by providing housing, rehabilitation, and eventually moving them into employment and long‐term housing solutions.