After more than 25 years in real estate, Howard Paskowitz has witnessed Canada's housing affordability challenges firsthand. As Vice-President of Development and Public Affairs at Starlight Investments, he's now leading the charge to address the critical shortage through purpose-built rental communities.
The Unsung Heroes of Housing
Starlight Investments operates as Canada's largest rental housing provider with an impressive portfolio exceeding 70,000 multi-residential suites. Unlike condo developers who often transfer maintenance responsibilities to individual owners, Starlight maintains long-term ownership and operation of their properties.
"We are building for the long term," emphasizes Paskowitz. "We're investing up front to make sure each community is durable and sustainable. Since we operate and maintain the communities we build, we're incentivized differently than condo developers who might cut corners on materials and construction."
Building Communities That Last Generations
Starlight's approach involves designing communities with a "generational outlook," creating complete living environments that support residents through various life stages. Their properties feature extensive amenities that foster community interaction and enhance quality of life.
In Langford, B.C., The District development will feature nearly 600 suites across four buildings, complemented by a fitness centre, yoga studio, coworking spaces and a rooftop terrace with stunning views. The location was strategically chosen to support active lifestyles, with shops, dining options, trails and lakes just minutes away.
Other notable Starlight properties include Bella Vista in Central Saanich, B.C. with 235 suites and amenities including a rooftop patio, fitness centre and children's play areas. Meanwhile, The Shoreview in Barrie, Ontario offers 215 waterfront suites complete with a gym, pet spa and rooftop terrace.
Expanding Supply Through Innovation
Beyond new construction, Starlight demonstrates commitment to housing supply through multiple strategies. The company maintains buildings dating back to the 1920s and pursues infill projects on underutilized property they already own.
"We're taking surface parking lots or outdated outdoor amenity space and creating vibrant new rental suites," Paskowitz explains. "This approach leverages our existing infrastructure in established neighborhoods, adding density without requiring new land."
As professionally managed spaces, Starlight properties provide a level of cohesion and care that individual rental owners often struggle to match. The company works closely with municipalities to tailor developments and communal spaces to meet specific community needs.
Call for Government Collaboration
Paskowitz identifies regulatory hurdles as significant barriers to addressing Canada's housing crisis effectively. "In key regions across Canada, the approvals process for new developments is often lengthy and unpredictable," he notes. "This creates significant uncertainty and makes many purpose-built rental projects unviable."
Starlight is advocating for municipalities to streamline planning and zoning requirements, reduce red tape and accelerate approvals. The company also seeks reductions in development charges and related fees, particularly for infill projects where they already own the land.
"We already own the land, and still, some of our projects will cost more than they're worth because of development charges and fees," Paskowitz reveals. "This makes it impossible to proceed, so we need to find other ways to make these projects viable."
Personal Commitment to Future Generations
For Paskowitz, the housing crisis extends beyond professional concerns to personal investment. With four children aged 13 to 22, he understands the challenges facing the next generation.
"I've been quite concerned about how my children will be able to afford to live in Toronto," he shares. Through his work at Starlight, he takes pride in contributing to solutions, with thousands of rental suites planned over the next decade.
Paskowitz emphasizes that purpose-built rentals are essential to solving Canada's housing crisis. "If we want our families to live near us and if we want to keep our cities competitive in a global economy, we need to focus on high-density rental housing."
Starlight has already successfully leveraged government incentives to increase rental inventory, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area. Paskowitz acknowledges progress in municipalities like Mississauga, Vaughan and Toronto in addressing development charge costs, but stresses that more action is needed to meet Canada's housing needs.
