Why You Can’t Build Cities Without Affordable Housing: A Conversation with Ana Bailao of Dream

Commercial Real Estate Podcast

In this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast, hosts Aaron and Adam connect with Ana Bailao, Head of Affordable Housing & Public Affairs at Dream, an asset manager, owner and developer of real estate. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience across government, private, and non-profit sectors, Ana is passionate about creating more livable, inclusive, and affordable cities.

She shares her journey from politics to real estate, focusing on the significance of affordable housing in city development. She explains the collaboration between the City Council, the Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and the federal government’s role in housing policy. Ana highlights successes in fostering partnerships and policy reforms while discussing Dream’s efforts to build mixed-income communities. The episode concludes with insights on risk, return, and the need for immediate housing construction solutions.

Here are the key talking points from the episode:

• Importance of Affordable Housing in Building Cities
• Relationship between City Council and Toronto Community Housing Corporation
• Role of the Federal Government in Affordable Housing
• Ana’s Role at Dream and Building Mixed-Income Communities
• Importance of Risk and Return in Development Process
• Clearing Misconceptions Surrounding Developers and Affordable Housing

More about our guest…

With over 20 years of senior leadership experience across government, private, and non-profit sectors, Ana Baila is passionate about creating more livable, inclusive, and affordable cities. After establishing a successful career in the private sector, she transitioned to public service and was elected to Toronto City Council in 2010, where she was re-elected three times. She served as Deputy Mayor and the City’s Housing Advocate during her tenure, securing billions in federal and provincial funding to revitalize Toronto’s housing initiatives.

She played a key role in the 2020-2030 Toronto Housing Plan by expanding the affordable housing budget. In 2023, she ran for Mayor in the largest by-election in Canadian history, finishing second. Engaging with thousands of Torontonians during the campaign was a deeply rewarding experience, and she remains optimistic about the city’s future. Today, she works with industry leaders to advance affordable housing projects in Toronto and Canada.

Episode Resources

• Ana Bailao on LinkedIn
• Dream Website
• Aaron Cameron on LinkedIn
• Adam Powadiuk on LinkedIn
• First National Website

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