Adam Gant is a Victoria-based real estate investor who is committed to expanding housing access for families in North America and beyond. With experience in residential, commercial, and specialized sectors like senior care and hospitality, he has worked in private real estate funds and publicly traded investment vehicles. Known for his practical method for solving housing challenges, Gant has been a strong advocate for shared equity models and is actively involved in charitable efforts aimed at providing shelter for vulnerable populations.
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Q: Affordability declined in most Canadian cities this year, research shows. What’s driving that change in 2025?
Adam Gant: The main challenges are rising borrowing costs and climbing home prices. Even though we’ve seen a few price drops, like in Toronto, most markets continue to push upward. The qualifying interest rate, which is based on the mortgage stress test, sits now at close to 6.5%, and that’s excluding a lot of potential buyers from the market. These dynamics are forcing families into a holding pattern, waiting for relief that’s slow to come.
Q: Your advocacy work often mentions “shared equity.” How does that model fit into the solution for housing affordability?
Adam Gant: Shared equity creates a pathway to ownership without demanding that buyers pay the full financial burden up front. It works by allowing investors or non-profits to co-own a portion of the home, reducing the required down payment and mortgage size. As home values grow, both parties share the equity gain. This helps close the gap between renting and full ownership, particularly for younger families or middle-income households.
Q: There’s been a push to build more homes quickly. Do you think supply-side policies are keeping pace with demand?
Adam Gant: Unfortunately, no. Federal and municipal incentives like the Housing Accelerator Fund are a good start, but we’re still well below construction levels to accommodate population growth or compliance with immigration. Zoning reform, permitting timelines, and infrastructure limits all slow down new supply. Until those things are worked out, demand will surpass what’s available.
Q: With affordability eroding, how should young families or first-time buyers adapt in today’s market?
Adam Gant: Flexibility is important. Many people are redefining homeownership. They’re co-buying with family, moving to secondary markets, and considering non-traditional housing models. Using tools to understand personal affordability is essential, but so is thinking creatively. Shared equity, or lease-to-own programs can provide transitional certainty and longer-term opportunity without needing to make an immediate leap into full ownership.
Q: Are there signs that affordability might improve in the foreseeable future?
Adam Gant: There are glimmers. The Bank of Canada is under pressure to lower rates, and that could help make mortgage options more accessible. Additionally, if government incentives for new construction continue to expand and gain traction, we might start to see some inventory relief. But fundamentally, we need sustained investment, innovation in financing, and a commitment to long-term affordability.