The federal housing agency Build Canada Homes has officially launched a new online portal to fast-track proposals for housing projects across the country, with a particular focus on shovel-ready developments and innovative construction techniques.
A New Tool to Tackle the Housing Crisis
Chief Executive Ana Bailão announced the new initiative during a keynote speech at the Empire Club in Toronto. She framed the current housing situation as a critical test for the nation. "For decades, we've talked about housing as a challenge and now today, we know it's more than that. It's a test of who we are as a nation," Bailão stated, referencing Prime Minister Mark Carney's housing initiative. She highlighted the severe pressures facing Canadians, including rising rents and young people being forced out of their communities.
Funding Focus: Transitional and Innovative Housing
Following her address, Bailão elaborated in a Q&A session, revealing that the portal will concentrate on two primary project types. A significant $1 billion is allocated specifically for transitional housing, which the agency considers an area of immediate need. Bailão emphasized the importance of collaboration with municipal and provincial governments to provide the necessary operating and support services for these projects.
The online portal explicitly states that Build Canada Homes is particularly interested in proposals using innovative building methods, such as factory-built, prefab, and modular construction. The agency also encourages the use of Canadian-sourced materials. Bailão noted that many municipalities already have valuable experience with modular methods for developing housing quickly.
Criteria for Shovel-Ready Projects
Beyond transitional housing, the portal will actively seek "shovel-ready" projects that can begin construction within the next 12 months. The evaluation process will prioritize proposals that deliver the highest number of affordable housing units while utilizing modern construction techniques. "We're going to be looking at who is able to provide the highest amounts of affordable housing using the modern methods of construction," Bailão said, adding that the agency will also assess the nature of partnerships and the level of innovation presented.
While Bailão, a former Toronto city councillor with a background in housing and development, declined to comment on any specific partnerships already under discussion, she expressed hope that the new portal would help speed up and scale these processes significantly.
The program will also consider specific community needs, such as proximity to transit. For the purposes of this initiative, affordable housing is defined as costing no more than 30 percent of local median incomes.
Bailão concluded by underscoring the pressing need for such measures, pointing out that Canada ranks among the lowest OECD countries for social housing. This creates a demand for housing "across the entire spectrum of affordability, including supportive and transitional housing for those who need it the most."
