What We Do

DCarr Community Solutions is an independent consultancy specializing in strategic planning, program, policy and project development. We help to create or renew affordable housing and social facilities, develop strategies and plans for community-based initiatives, and mentor community leaders in advancing their projects.

We work with non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and municipalities to help translate aspirations into reality. The first step is to ensure we clearly understand the organization’s vision and needs. From there we work together to develop a scope of work, timeline and budget to realize the project. We provide expert guidance to ensure project goals and objectives are realistic and achievable.

Services

  • Project Development and Design

    • Participate in design/development workshops

    • Assist with project partnerships and stakeholder engagement

    • Assist with decisions relating to the unit mix, unit type and built-form

    • Advise on architectural and mechanical/electrical program requirements

    Costs and Financial Viability

    • Capital and operating costs estimates

    • Cash flow schedules for the feasibility and design/development stages

    • Review of overall Project financial viability

    Funding and Financing

    • Advise on funding, financing options and cost saving measures

    • Assist with funding applications including coordination of the professional/technical experts required to complete the applications

    Legal Agreements and Risk Assessment

    • Assist with site purchase price or ground lease negotiations

    • Review of development stage and construction stage legal agreements

    • Review of cost sharing proposals from project partners

    • Assist with the engagement of client consultants

    • Assess and mitigate project risks

  • Project definition:

    • Ensure the right people are engaged in the project

    • Clarify objectives, values and mission that drives the project

    • Define what success looks like

    Research and analysis:

    • Understand the resource and financial requirements

    • Needs assessment

    • Learn from others doing similar work

    • Develop the budget and financial plan

    Seek support for the project:

    • Write the business case and briefing material to seek resources.

    • Complete funding applications

  • Expert advice, coaching and mentoring for:

    • Organizational leaders to help bring their vision for social change or affordable housing to fruition.

    • Non-profit or Coop board members or staff embarking on housing or social development projects

  • Policy development to support affordable housing or other social policy issues:

    • Researching existing approaches and promising practices

    • Comparing options and weighing the pros and cons of each

    • Recommending a preferred approach

    • Recommending strategies for policy implementation

  • Support development of municipal strategic plans, economic development plans, affordable housing plans and social plans by:

    • Conducting surveys and key informant interviews

    • Facilitating engagement sessions

    • Identifying key themes for action

    • Creating concise, achievable goals and objectives based on key themes

    • Providing advice and strategic recommendations

    • Preparing reports for approval by staff and council.

  • • Conduct literature reviews

    • Collect data, through surveys, interviews or other means.

    • Data analysis

    • Distill key themes and lessons learned

    • Recommend ways to move research into action.

    • Summarize results in plain language products

What People Are Saying About Working With Us:

Suzanne Le, Executive Director, Multi-faith Housing Initiative and Veterans House Canada.

“Dennis Carr is an asset to the Affordable Housing sector. He stands as a model to not for profit housing organizations, challenging us to do more, then being ready and enabling us with the tools and skills needed to make sure we get there successfully.

I have been constantly impressed by Dennis's steadfastness, tenacity, and overall professionalism.”