"...the spaces we live in shape our well-being and sense of belonging..."

This month, we are pleased to showcase WUDI committee member Kelly Lin, a key member of our executive team who helps shape programming and mentorship opportunities for women in the industry.

As a child, Kelly saw firsthand how people can be deeply affected by mental health challenges and difficult living conditions. These early experiences instilled in her a belief that the spaces we live in shape our well-being and sense of belonging, ultimately leading her to real estate development.

Originally trained as an architect and urban planner, Kelly believed in the power of design to influence lives. But she quickly realized that while governments set visions for cities, it’s developers who bring those visions to life—or not. Her work taught her that budgets, timelines, and feasibility—not just ideas—determine what gets built and who benefits.

She also saw the limitations of market-driven development. Many individuals and families were being left out, unable to afford market rates. That awareness propelled her toward social purpose real estate, a space where projects are driven first by the needs of the community, and second by financial returns.

Now, as a Partner at Terra Social Purpose Real Estate, a social impact developer and advisory group, Kelly leads complex projects with construction values ranging from $10 million to over a quarter billion dollars that prioritize community, equity, and sustainability. Her work spans shelters and affordable housing to market and mixed-use developments in partnership with Indigenous communities and governments across Canada.

To Kelly, social purpose real estate is about maximizing “social profit” over financial profit. Developers begin not with revenue goals, but by asking: who needs housing, and how can they afford it? This approach attracts mission-aligned partners—non-profits, governments, and private developers—united by the goal of building inclusive communities.

Believing that opposition to this type of work is often the result of difficult trade-offs, Kelly is committed to helping communities understand the importance of affordable and inclusive housing. With an approach centered on finding common ground between market and non-market developers, Kelly believes that all parties at the table should be listened to with their needs considered.                

For Kelly, partnerships are at the heart of social purpose development. She understands that non-profits often prioritize programming and tenant support over real estate capacity. That’s why trusted collaboration with public and private sectors is essential for funding and long-term viability. Each partner brings unique interests, resources, and risk profiles, helping to turn these developments into true community efforts.

While her path hasn’t always been conventional, her purpose has remained clear: “To create environments where everyone can thrive.”      

In a divided world, Kelly’s work is a reminder of what’s possible when we build around shared values and mutual respect.

____

Kelly Lin, 
Partner
at Terra Social Purpose Real Estate,
2024-2025 Women of UDI Committee

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author from the Women of UDI Committee and do not necessarily represent the official views and stance of UDI.