Best Unaffordable Rent Podcasts (2025)

1
Fixing Canada’s Health Data Rules Without Killing Innovation 11:39

Play Pause

8d ago11:39

11:39

Is Canada’s life sciences and health tech sector heading toward a code red? In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt unpack how outdated and fragmented privacy laws are slowing innovation, and why aligning too closely with European regulations could make things even worse. They explore the “Brussels effect,” where the EU’s regulatory powe…

1
Ep. 104: Why We Don't Build Condos with Muhammad Alameldin (Incentives Series pt. 7) 1:07:48

8d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Why do many U.S. states build so few condos? Muhammad Alameldin explains the role of construction defect liability laws — and how to fix them. This is part 7 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Alameldin, M., & Karlinsky, S. (2024). Construction Defect Liability in California: How Reform Could Increase Affordable H…

1
Grading Provinces on Housing: Who Earned an A and Who Deserves Detention? 23:23

13d ago23:23

23:23

In this episode of the Missing Middle, hosts Cara Stern and Mike Moffatt break down his latest “home score” report, grading every Canadian province on housing. Atlantic provinces like New Brunswick and P.E.I. lead the way, while Ontario struggles, with high costs forcing young people to stay home longer and many residents moving away. The grades ar…

1
Are We Ignoring a Generation of Struggling Young Men? 18:21

15d ago18:21

18:21

In this episode of the Missing Middle Podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down a major shift in Canada’s income trends: men over retirement age are now earning more than men aged 25–34. They explain how seniors’ incomes have increased through pensions, investments, and government supports, while younger workers face slow wage growth, h…

1
How Housing Prices Shape Families 25:34

22d ago25:34

25:34

This episode of the Missing Middle podcast explores a new University of Toronto study that highlights housing affordability as a key factor in declining fertility rates in the United States. Hosts Mike Moffatt and Cara Stern analyze the findings, including the study’s estimate that over half of the fertility decline since 1990 is linked to the shor…

1
Ep 103: Fire Safety in Multifamily Housing with Alex Horowitz (Incentives Series pt. 6) 59:24

23d ago59:24

59:24

In which types of homes are people safest from fires? Alex Horowitz shares research showing that multifamily is safer than single-family housing, newer homes are much safer than older homes, and that a single stairwell’s just as good as two. This is part 6 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Rodnyansky, S., Horowit…

1
Are Boomers Bankrupting the Future? 15:36

29d ago15:36

15:36

The conversation highlights the pressing issue of intergenerational tensions in Canada, particularly focusing on the financial burdens faced by younger Canadians. Sabrina discusses the potential consequences of failing to address these issues, including the risk to public healthcare and the erosion of political support for senior programs. The need…

1
Canada Is Finally Regulating Stablecoins – Here’s Why It Matters 14:05

1M ago14:05

14:05

Canada is moving toward regulating dollar-backed stablecoins, and in this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down what that means. They explain how stablecoins work, why Canada has been behind other G7 countries, and the potential benefits for payments and innovation. Mike and Sabrina also discuss the balance between protecting Canadi…

1
Ep 102: Minimum Standards vs. Affordability with Benjamin Schneider (Incentives Series pt. 5) 55:33

1M ago55:33

55:33

We’ve been grappling with trade-offs between stricter building codes and declining affordability for over 100 years. Benjamin Schneider helps us trace the history. This is part 5 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Schneider, B. (2025). The Unfinished Metropolis: Igniting the City-Building Revolution. Island Press.…

1
Why Rent Control Might Be Hurting the People It’s Meant to Help 19:29

1M ago19:29

19:29

Host Cara Stern is back from parental leave, and she and Mike are jumping right into one of the most debated topics in housing policy — rent control. Inspired by Zohran Mamdani's campaign rent freeze proposal, they dig into how these rules shape the housing market, not just for landlords and tenants, but for entire cities. While rent control offers…

1
How Canada Fell Behind the World on Housing Affordability 19:44

2M ago19:44

19:44

This week on The Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux bust some myths and take a hard look at Canada’s place in the global housing landscape. Drawing on new OECD data, they reveal why Canada’s housing affordability crisis is among the worst in the developed world—with home prices having risen more than twice as fast as incomes …

1
Ep 101: Beyond Zoning with John Zeanah and Andre D. Jones (Incentives Series pt. 4) 1:10:15

2M ago1:10:15

1:10:15

Your city just legalized “missing middle” housing in its zoning code… now what? With Memphis, Tennessee, as a case study, John Zeanah and Andre D. Jones discuss the hidden non-zoning barriers to developing small apartment buildings — and how to lower them. This is part 4 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Zeanah, …

1
Do You Have a CRA Horror Story? 15:47

2M ago15:47

15:47

The Canada Revenue Agency is facing a public crisis: long delays, wrong assessments, and frustrated taxpayers. Hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt unpack the CRA’s 100-day “fix,” why it’s only a Band-Aid solution, and the deeper structural issues inside Canada’s tax system. From call-centre chaos to a tax code even accountants struggle to under…

1
Ep 100: The Big 100!! Listener Questions, (Re-)Meet the Hosts, and Book Club 1:28:19

2M ago1:28:19

1:28:19

The hosts gather to celebrate the 100th episode of UCLA Housing Voice. We also answer listener questions and announce the first book for our book club. Show notes: Appelbaum, Y. (2025). Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity. Penguin Random House. Appelbaum, Y. (2025 February 10). How Progressives Froz…

1
The Rental Paradox: Why Lower Prices Aren't Enough 23:47

2M ago23:47

23:47

Rents are finally dropping in many Canadian cities, yet finding an affordable, decent apartment still feels impossible. What’s going on with the rental market? In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux sits down with Max Steinman, CEO of RentSync and Rentals.ca, to unpack what’s driving the recent rent declines, how rent control policies backfired, and why…

1
Nightmare on Craven Road: When Local Politics Derail Citywide Housing Goals 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

What happens when one city councillor gets Toronto council to vote in favour of “studying” garden suites on a single block, potentially undoing years of zoning reform? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Meredith Martin dig into the Craven Road and Parkmount Avenue dispute to reveal how neighbourhood politics, NIMBYism, and endl…

1
Eastbound and Outpriced: The Great GTA Family Migration 21:39

3M ago21:39

21:39

Ontario’s family housing crisis is spreading fast, and it’s not just a GTA problem anymore. In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt delve into a new report that reveals how the shortage of family-friendly homes in the GTA is driving young families east and south, reshaping entire regions from Peterborough to…

1
Ep 99: The ‘International’ Code Council with Jesse Zwick (Incentives Series pt. 3) 43:54

3M ago43:54

43:54

North American buildings are built different — literally. Councilmember Jesse Zwick explains how the organization behind our unusual standards is built to fail, and he makes the case for a new approach. This is part 3 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Zwick, J. (2025). Out of Code: The Hidden Costs of US Building…

1
From Kraft Dinner to Condos: The Great Shrinkage 26:23

3M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux dig into the rise of shrinkflation, from grocery store products like cereal and Kraft Dinner to Canada’s shrinking condos, and reveal how companies, developers, and government policies are quietly giving Canadians less for more. From deceptive packaging and behavioral economic…

1
Ep 98: Elevators with Stephen Smith (Incentives Series pt. 2) 1:15:24

3M ago1:15:24

1:15:24

Elevators in the U.S. and Canada cost 3–5 times as much as elevators in other high-income countries. Stephen Smith explains why and how our well-intentioned elevator standards make cities less safe and accessible. This is part two of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Show notes: Smith, S. (2024). Elevators. Center for Building …

1
Ontario’s Housing Sales Collapse: It’s Not Just Toronto Condos 13:13

3M ago13:13

13:13

Ontario’s housing market is in crisis, and it’s not just condos in downtown Toronto. In this episode of The Missing Middle Podcast, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux break down a bleak new report on housing starts and sales across 34 municipalities. From plummeting pre-construction sales and stalled ground-oriented homes, to the looming loss of 21,…

1
Who Really Wins with Return-to-Office Mandates? 17:28

3M ago17:28

17:28

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down Ontario’s new return-to-office mandate and the big banks’ similar policies, asking what they really mean for younger workers and families already facing high housing costs, long commutes, and stagnant wages. They explore the trade-offs between productivity, commutin…

1
Ep 97: Single-Stair Buildings and Eco-Districts with Michael Eliason (Incentives Series pt. 1) 1:23:25

4M ago1:23:25

1:23:25

This is the first episode of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy. Michael Eliason shares insights from his book, Building for People, on building code reforms and eco-district redevelopment projects throughout Europe. Show notes: Eliason, M. (2024). Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities. Island…

1
Condo Crashes, Shrinkflation, & The Death of Homeownership? 16:33

4M ago16:33

16:33

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into Canada’s condo market crash, the rise of “housing shrinkflation,” and what it all means for young Canadians chasing the dream of homeownership. They unpack why falling condo prices aren’t actually fixing the housing crisis, how developers and government policies have …

1
The Secret Life of Think Tanks: Funding, Influence & Careers 20:43

4M ago20:43

20:43

Ever wonder what people at think tanks actually do all day? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt pull back the curtain on the mysterious world of think tanks. From how they’re structured and funded, to the challenges of staying independent, they explore what really goes on behind the scenes. You’ll also hear abou…

1
Infill Housing Battles: What 15 Years of Data Reveal 20:07

4M ago20:07

20:07

Why do some infill housing projects spark outrage while others fly under the radar? In this episode of The Missing Middle, host Sabrina Matto sits down with former London City Councillor and researcher Jesse Helmer to unpack 15 years of planning committee decisions. They explore why certain housing proposals face fierce opposition, what factors red…

1
Ep 96: Direct-to-Tenant Rent Assistance with Vincent Reina 1:10:08

4M ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Housing vouchers provide critical assistance to low-income renters, but roughly 40% of vouchers go unused, in part due to difficulty finding landlords to accept them. Vincent Reina shares findings from a pilot program that instead gives cash assistance directly to tenants. Abstract: This article examines a new rental assistance program in Philadelp…

1
The High Cost of Losing Your Creative Class 17:00

4M ago17:00

17:00

Canadian cities are facing a creative crisis. Rising housing costs are driving artists, musicians, designers, and other innovators out — and it’s not just culture that’s at risk. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down how losing the “creative class” hurts local economies, tourism, and even a city’s ability to attract tech and…

1
A few announcements! 3:07

4M ago3:07

3:07

Our next interview will be out soon. In the meantime, we're asking for listener questions for a special recording celebrating our 100th episode)(!!), and ideas for a UCLA Housing Voice book club. Send 'em to [email protected] UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

1
Can Tax Reform Help Young Canadians Afford Homes? 30:55

4M ago30:55

30:55

Are young Canadians being taxed like millionaires while living like broke students? Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dive into the jaw-dropping disconnect between salaries, taxes, and the insane cost of housing. From bold tax reform ideas to creative fixes for rent, down payments, and wealth inequality, they tackle the policies (and politics) hold…

1
MURBs & The Housing Plot Twist No One Saw Coming 15:47

5M ago15:47

15:47

What do cheesy Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and Canada’s rental housing crisis have in common? Apparently, more than you’d think! In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt hop in their imaginary time machine to explore how a long-forgotten 1970s tax trick—MURBs—might make a comeback to boost rental housing today. Will…

1
REITs, Rent & Rage: Canada’s Housing Tug-of-War 17:29

5M ago17:29

17:29

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux unpack the controversy around REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and their role in Canada’s housing crisis. Are REITs really blocking affordable housing, or is the real issue deeper than greedy landlords? Mike and Sabrina break down how REITs work, why they’ve become poli…

1
Ep 95: Low-Rise Multifamily with Tobias Peter 1:05:47

5M ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Seattle’s low-rise multifamily zones have produced more than 20,000 townhomes over the past 30 years. Tobias Peter discusses the impacts on affordability, homeownership, and more — including lessons for other cities. Show notes: Peter, T., Pinto, E., & Tracy, J. (2025). Low-Rise Multifamily and Housing Supply: A Case Study of Seattle. Journal of Ho…

1
Young Workers and the Public Service Purge 22:42

5M ago22:42

22:42

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down the massive wave of federal public service job cuts and how they’re slamming young Canadians the hardest. From thousands of lost student and contract jobs to long-term impacts on housing, wages, and health, they reveal how a shrinking government workforce could shut…

1
Encore Episode: Housing Vouchers with Rob Collinson 1:09:36

5M ago1:09:36

1:09:36

Episode Summary: Every year, more than two million low-income households receive rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program, a federal program that helps renters afford housing on the private market. Currently, only about one-quarter of those eligible for vouchers receive them due to lack of program funding, though Democrats and t…

1
The $6.6 Billion Housing Disaster Politicians Won’t Talk About 17:45

5M ago17:45

17:45

Toronto’s housing market is in free fall — new condo sales have plunged 97% since 2021, costing governments $6.6 billion in lost tax revenue every year. In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt break down shocking new data on record-low home sales, how this impacts construction jobs, and why the crisis could get worse before it gets bette…

1
Broken Zoning: Why We Can’t Fix the Housing Crisis Without a Map 16:31

6M ago16:31

16:31

In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt are joined by urban planner Alex Beheshti for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked barriers to solving Canada’s housing crisis: zoning data. Alex makes the case for a Canadian Zoning Atlas—an ambitious but essential tool to bring clarity, consistency, and transparency t…

1
How Cities Keep Screwing up Multiplex Housing 16:29

6M ago16:29

16:29

Why aren’t we seeing more multiplexes in Canadian cities—even after zoning reforms? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt dig into the surprising roadblocks holding back infill housing. From bizarre bedroom caps to height limits that make 10-plexes impossible, they unpack how cities say "yes" to housing... and the…

1
Canada’s GST Rebate is Based On 1991 Home Prices-WTF!?! 18:21

6M ago18:21

18:21

In this episode, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt tackle how GST rebates are affecting new homebuyers, tracing the history of these incentives and how inflation has quietly eroded their value. With fresh rebate structures now on the table—especially for first-time buyers—they examine what’s working, what’s not, and what’s politically possible. And…

1
Politicians vs. Millennials: The Battle for Housing Affordability 31:33

6M ago31:33

31:33

In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the lack of clear housing goals from political parties, including the Liberals' national housing strategy's focus on low-income earners and the NDP's ineffective communication with younger voters. The conversation highlights the struggle of middle-class individu…

1
Ep 94: Ride-hailing for People with Disabilities with Abigail Cochran (Road Scholars pt. 4) 1:05:18

6M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

For people with disabilities, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can be a lifeline or a pain — or both. Abigail Cochran shares what she learned from individuals with disabilities about what’s working and what’s not. Show Notes: Cochran, A. L. (2022). How and why do people with disabilities use app-based ridehailing? Case Studies on Transport …

1
From 40 to 100 million: How will immigration impact Canadian wages? 19:42

7M ago19:42

19:42

In this episode of the missing Middle podcast conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the current state of immigration in Canada. Together they examine a Bank of Canada report that focuses on the implications of temporary foreign workers on wages. Mike and Sabrina talk about the challenges faced by new permanent resi…

1
Ron Butler: Condo Crash Meets Housing Crisis 31:23

7M ago31:23

31:23

In this episode of the Missing Middle podcast, mortgage broker Ron Butler sits down with conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt to discuss the current crisis in the Toronto condo market. Ron outlines the vast scope of the problem stemming from pre-construction purchases made during a speculative boom. He explains how invest…

1
Ep 93: Equity Requirements in US Shared Micromobility Programs with Anne Brown (Road Scholars pt. 3) 1:04:36

7M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Shared micromobility programs offering scooters and bikes have exploded across the US in recent years, but the benefits haven't been shared evenly. Anne Brown joins to discuss the equity goals and mandates cities are requiring of operators, and which seem to be most effective. Show Notes: Brown, A., & Howell, A. (2024). Mobility for the people: Equ…

1
Can Factory-Built Homes Solve the Housing Crisis? 25:02

7M ago25:02

25:02

In this episode, conservative pundit Sabrina Maddeaux and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the potential of factory built homes as a solution to the housing crisis. They explore the promises made by politicians regarding prefabricated housing, the spectrum of factory built homes, and the claims of reduced construction times, costs, and emissions. The…

1
The Housing Trilemma: Why You Can't Afford a Home 20:32

7M ago20:32

20:32

In this episode of The Missing Middle podcast, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt discuss the impossible trinity that broke Canadian housing. They explore the implications of stagnant neighborhoods, population growth, and government policies that hinder housing affordability. The conversation delves into the complexities of urban planning, the…

1
Ep 92: How Housing Influences Transportation Choices with Adam Millard-Ball (Road Scholars pt. 2) 50:16

7M ago50:16

50:16

Do people drive less because they live in buildings that don’t provide parking, or do they live in buildings that don’t provide parking because they drive less? That question has huge implications for how we build and rebuild our cities, yet researchers have struggled for decades to answer it conclusively. UCLA professor Adam Millard-Ball joins us …

1
Where DID All the Jobs Go? The Mystery of Rising Unemployment. 24:52

8M ago24:52

24:52

Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:13 Job market statistics 02:10 Why the job market is so bad right now 04:27 Different ways to measure the job market 07:02 Things are particularly bad in Ontario 09:02 High unemployment fractures the social fabric 11:25 The impact of a slow job market on lifetime earning 13:32 How youth unemployment shapes political p…

1
Ep 91: Neighborhood Change and Transit Ridership with Mike Manville (Road Scholars pt. 1) 51:40

8M ago51:40

51:40

Many studies have looked at the effects of new transit infrastructure on housing prices, gentrification, and other neighborhood changes. But how does housing policy — specifically rising rents and worsening affordability — affect transit? Mike Manville takes the guest seat in the first episode of our four-part series on transportation research: Roa…

1
The Humble Genius of Uytae Lee: The Creator of About Here 30:09

8M ago30:09

30:09

He's got 215,000 YouTube subscribers and millions of views. The urban planner and YouTube creator Uytae Lee sits down with Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt to have a fun and wide-ranging conversation about housing and the systemic hurdles to building more of it. Uytae shares insights on creating engaging content about housing, urban planning, desi…