Canada’s new government has announced the launch of Build Canada Homes (BCH), a federal agency dedicated to rapidly expanding the supply of affordable housing nationwide. With Canadians facing an unprecedented housing crisis, this initiative represents a bold approach to address affordability, homelessness, and the need for long-term sustainable housing solutions.

Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined BCH’s mission: to partner with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private developers to deliver housing at scale. The federal government is committing $13 billion in initial funding to support land acquisition, financing, and project approvals. BCH will act as a one-stop-shop for affordable housing, streamlining federal efforts and leveraging 88 federal properties listed in the Canada Public Land Bank, spanning over 463 hectares.

BCH’s approach is anchored in three key pillars:

1. Public-Private Partnerships – By working with industry and local governments, BCH will reduce project risks through public land use and financial incentives. This ensures faster, simpler access for builders and encourages large-scale affordable housing development.
2. Modern Construction Methods – BCH will deploy innovative techniques such as factory-built, modular, and mass timber housing to cut construction timelines by up to 50%, reduce costs by 20%, and lower emissions during construction. This creates a more productive, sustainable homebuilding sector capable of operating year-round.
3. Buy Canadian Policy – By prioritizing domestic materials like lumber, steel, and aluminum, BCH will strengthen Canadian supply chains, create skilled jobs, and foster a new national housing industry.

To demonstrate immediate impact, BCH has announced several priority projects:

• Development of 4,000 factory-built homes across six sites in Dartmouth, Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, with potential to scale to 45,000 units.
• A $1.5 billion Canada Rental Protection Fund to preserve affordable rentals and protect at-risk housing from market pressures.
• $1 billion investment in transitional and supportive housing to fight homelessness, including partnerships with provinces, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations.
• Collaboration with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to build 700 affordable and supportive units, with 30% constructed off-site using modular methods.

Ana Bailão, former Toronto Deputy Mayor and affordable housing advocate, has been appointed as the first CEO of Build Canada Homes. Bailão brings public and private sector expertise, having led initiatives like Toronto’s Housing Now program.

BCH represents a transformative step toward solving Canada’s housing challenges. By combining federal land, capital investment, modern building technologies, and private sector expertise, the agency aims to double housing construction, restore affordability, and significantly reduce homelessness.

As Prime Minister Carney stated, “Build Canada Homes will transform how government and industry work together—building faster, smarter, and sustainably so every Canadian has a place to call home.”

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