Why do you invest your money? The typical answer is about growing wealth, abundance, retirement income, etc… But more and more people are using their money to generate a financial return AND make a positive impact on their world. In 2018 the Responsible Investment Trend Report showed that the dollar amount that Canadians invested in socially responsible products grew 41.6% from 2015 to 2017 (from $1.5 Billion in 2015, to $2.13 Billion in 2017).
Are you a socially conscious investor? Even CHMC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) now has an Affordable Housing Innovation Fund to support developers in creating affordable housing! One example is funding for an inmate training program that is building affordable housing in Whitehorse. Another example is funding for high rises, right here in Calgary, that will provide over 200 affordable units, and in a building that uses mixed energy sources including wind, solar and battery. That building is expected to be 40% more energy efficient than typical apartment rentals. Basically, CMHC is entering into a joint venture partnership with builders to create jobs, improve the environmental impact of multi-family housing, and provide more homes at affordable prices. Another corporate example is the Calgary Residential Rental Association. They have been a tremendous leader in supporting survivors of domestic violence to find safe housing and have created a Domestic Violence toolkit for Landlords.
But back to the smaller stage, what about the individual or family with one to five rental properties? With real estate investments, there are endless opportunities to grow your wealth AND make a positive impact in your community, or for society as a whole. We work with some investors who are constantly donating significant amounts from their portfolio’s to their favourite causes: save the whales, Kidsport, Make a Wish Foundation—to name just a few. This fall we will be starting our first project that will include solar panels on a home in Canmore. Some of us are using Rent-to-Own properties to help good quality tenants get into safe and well-managed homes that they will own in 2-3 years.
Are you looking for ways to align your values with your investment dollars? Real Estate investments provide a huge variety of options to amalgamate your purpose and mission in life, with your financial goals. Its time to dig deep—what really matters to you? Then figure out how to use your investment dollars to grow financial freedom for your family—and make a difference in the future of the planet. It is more than possible!
