💡 TARIFFS & TRADE RISK: HOW WE’RE NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTY IN CONSTRUCTION

With trade tensions rising between Canada and the U.S., new tariffs are creating fresh challenges across the development landscape. For clients, lenders, and partners working on large-scale concrete and rental projects, these supply chain disruptions have real consequences for budgets, timelines, and delivery certainty.

At Purpose Driven Development, we’re actively managing these risks on current projects in construction. Working alongside our general contractor, consultant team, lenders and trades, we’re leveraging proactive strategies to reduce exposure and maintain momentum—even in the face of uncertainty.

Here’s How We’re Leading Through It

March 2025: Soroptimist House construction site at Cambie & 13th.

🔍 Early Identification of At-Risk Materials
Together with our subcontractors, we’ve pinpointed components most vulnerable to tariff cost spikes—like electrical wire, lighting, metal hardware, fire alarms, and distribution panels.

🔄 Alternate Sourcing Strategies
We’re proactively working with subs to identify and propose alternative products not sourced from the U.S., especially where risk is highest.

📦 Stockpiling Key Materials
Trades are evaluating and implementing early purchasing and storage of high-risk products—at no additional cost—helping protect both budget and schedule.

📊 Procurement vs. Tariff Cost Analysis
We’re running cost-benefit assessments to determine when early procurement is more cost-effective than absorbing tariffs—for example, on electrical components, it’s already proving valuable.

🔁 Smart Product Substitutions
Substitutions are reviewed in partnership with Ledcor and consultants to ensure all performance, warranty, and regulatory standards are upheld before any changes are made.

📈 Real-Time Risk Tracking
We’re continuously monitoring at-risk items, with early mitigation planning to prevent supply or budget impacts before they escalate.

📣 Fast, Collaborative Communication
Strong coordination between our team, the lenders, general contractor, and the consultant team ensures we move quickly when changes or approvals are needed.

We don’t just manage risk—we lead through it. If you’re navigating similar challenges at your project’s planning, development or construction phase, we’re here to help apply proven strategies to keep your development on course.

SOUTHWYND PLACE: Building One of Canada’s Largest Nonprofit-Led Affordable Housing Communities

Rendering of Southwynd Place.

We believe the best projects don’t just transform land—they transform lives and communities.

That’s why we’re incredibly proud to announce a landmark project and recent milestones with our long-standing client, the Kiwanis-Soroptimist Senior Citizens Housing Society, on the redevelopment of Southwynd Place in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood.

In collaboration with this visionary nonprofit—dedicated for decades to providing affordable housing for seniors—we are leading the largest affordable housing project in Vancouver’s history. The proposed redevelopment, currently in rezoning, will deliver 847 mixed-income rental homes across four buildings, just steps from the Marine Drive SkyTrain station.

But this is more than housing.

It’s a safe, affordable home for a senior aging in place, a single parent raising their family with dignity, and a young worker finally able to live near their job and transit without being priced out.
This is intergenerational community building—inclusive, affordable, and deeply rooted in well-being, social connection and belonging.

📍 Southwynd Place will offer:

• Deeply affordable and mixed-income homes

• Walkable access to transit, shops, and green space

• A vibrant community for seniors, families, and young professionals alike

• Design for well-being and aging in place

• Spaces and design to foster social inclusion and connectivity

🟩 Recent milestones include:
✔ Predevelopment financing secured with one of our key partners, Vancity
✔ A successful Public Open House, with strong community support
✔ Critical progress and support in the City of Vancouver rezoning process

We are honoured to work alongside a mission-driven organization like Kiwanis-Soroptimist.
Together, we are delivering more than buildings—we’re creating a blueprint for what’s possible in nonprofit-led housing at scale.

Read more about Southwynd Place in this recent article.

This is our moment to build more than just homes.

We’re building hope.
We’re building home.
We’re building a community and city where everyone has a place to thrive.

At Purpose Driven Development, we remain steadfast in our mission to lead developments that drive long-term value—for people, communities, and the planet. Whether you’re managing a project in construction, exploring a new opportunity, or leading a nonprofit, First Nation, or public institution—we’re here to be your trusted development partner.

Let’s keep building with purpose.

Get in touch to learn more about how we can collaborate and innovate to create lasting community impact—ensuring that affordable housing remains accessible to those who need it most.