A discussion that centres around making accessibility a standard feature and affordability a reality with Jake Cohen, COO of The Daniels Corporation—one of Canada’s largest builders and developers.
Abilities: Affordable housing has been front and centre in the recent news but there’s not been much talk about “accessible housing.” Why do you think that is—given its very obvious contribution to both independence and lifestyle?
Jake: You’re right – the need for accessible housing has been overlooked for far too long, and it’s time it took a more prominent role in public discourse. Part of the challenge is that accessibility is too often seen as a specialized or niche issue, rather than a core principle of thoughtful design and community building.
While housing affordability is critically important, accessibility is essential for many. At The Daniels Corporation (Daniels), we believe that accessibility is foundational and should be a fundamental part of the housing conversation. Everyone deserves a choice and a home that meets their needs—not just now, but as their needs evolve over time.
Abilities: What do you consider “affordable” in the context of your offerings?
Jake: Affordability can mean different things to different people, which is why we take a flexible and community-driven approach. For us, affordability means creating housing options that people can realistically handle based on their income. That means creating innovative ownership models, or partner-ships with government and non-profit organizations. It’s about removing barriers, financial and otherwise, and expanding the definition of who can own or rent a home.
Abilities: Is building accessible homes more expensive?
Jake: Sure, retrofits have been proven to be more costly and disruptive for residents but they don’t have to cost more when accessibility is integrated into the design from the outset.
The cost of building a portion of homes within our residential buildings as accessible homes and ensuring common areas and amenities are also accessible is negligible when compared to the overall project budget.
When we look at our accessible homes the return isn’t just financial—it’s social. We’re designing homes that are welcoming, support independence, aging in place. Our team is also thinking about those who live and visit the community That’s not just good design—it’s responsible building.
Abilities: Accessible features are notoriously known for their institutional/medical look and feel. How have you and your team tried to create more pleasing environments?
Jake: We recognized that “undesirable look” early in our accessibility journey. That’s why, when we launched our Accessibility Designed Program in 2017, we made a commitment to create our accessibility-designed homes with the same cohesive look and feel as every other home in our buildings.
From the start, we’ve collaborated with accessibility consultants and people with lived experience to ensure these homes are both functional and beautiful. Features like wider hallways and doorways, lever-style door hardware fixtures, roll-in showers, roll-out balconies, roll-under sinks, colour contrast, grab bars, and more are all integrated subtly and seamlessly into the overall aesthetic.
A home should work for everyone. It’s not only about function but also the beauty of the space.
Abilities: Is there a formula that can make home ownership possible for someone on a low income in one of your projects?
Jake: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but we’ve seen that homeownership can be possible for lower-income households when you combine the right tools. We’ve pioneered models like down payment assistant programs, second mortgages and partnerships with various non-profit housing providers.
Our team also invests in financial literacy and homeownership workshops. These tools used in collaboration with municipalities and non-profit partners can create innovative pathways for individuals and families who have traditionally been excluded from the homeownership market.
Abilities: Would you consider an accessible condo a good investment? What have you seen with resale values and time on the market?
Jake: Absolutely. Accessible condos are not just a smart investment—they’re becoming increasingly sought after. As public awareness grows and our population ages, more buyers are looking for homes that can meet their needs long term. As I see it, they’re no longer viewed as specialty units— they’re future-ready homes.
Abilities: Is there more supply than demand right now or is it the other way round?
Jake: There is significantly more demand than supply when it comes to accessible homes. The lack of inventory is a pressing issue across the housing spectrum, but especially for people living with disabilities, who are too often left out of the conversation. We need more developers, policymakers, and industry leaders to prioritize inclusive housing solutions.
Abilities: Do people buy them as an investment to rent or are most owner occupied?
Jake: In our experience, most of our accessible units are owner-occupied, often by individuals or families who need the features right away or are planning ahead. That said, there is growing interest from investors who recognize the long-term value and the potential to access an underserved segment of the rental market—such as older adults or individuals with mobility challenges.
Abilities: Have many older adults opted for accessible units or are the units mostly younger people?
Jake: We see a broad and diverse group of buyers. Yes, many older adults are looking for homes that allow them to age in place, but we also see younger people with disabilities and families planning or caring for a loved one with mobility needs. The beauty of accessible housing is that it’s not limited by age or stage of life.
Abilities: Can you talk about some of the challenges you face as a developer in this sector?
Jake: One of the biggest barriers is overcoming the misconception that accessible housing only benefits a small portion of the population.
That mindset can limit both innovation and inventory. However the most persistent hurdle is a lack of awareness about what accessibility means, who it serves, and how impactful inclusive design can be. That’s why advocacy is such a big part of what we do. We’re proud to be a founding member of the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, a cross-sector initiative aimed at increasing the supply of accessible housing in Canada. Through this coalition, we’re working alongside the accessibility community, peers in real estate development, civic action and education leaders to drive systemic change. Collaboration like this is key to moving from intention to action—and creating a housing landscape that truly works for all Canadians.
Abilities: Moving forward, how do you see the future of condo development in the city?
Jake: Universal design is the future of housing, it just makes sense. We’re already seeing interest grow among our peers, and we’re optimistic that inclusive design will become a standard, not a standout.
Jacob Cohen is the President of The Daniel’s Corporation. Jake is known for his energy, collaborative spirit and positive mindset. He fosters a culture where talent flourishes and communities thrive.
Image: iStock
