Build Canada homes: a five-month snapshot

Build Canada Homes (“BCH”) is a novel office aiming to double the pace of residential construction across Canada by combining “flexible finance tools, land access, and development expertise under one roof”.[1] This article provides a high-level backgrounder to BCH and the progress it has made since its initial launch.

Key moments over the past five months

BCH launched in September 2025, with a mission to build affordable homes, finance affordable homes, and catalyse a new housing industry.

In November 2025, the Canadian Federal Government announced CAD $13 billion in its budget on a cash basis (CAD $7 billion on an accrual basis) to support the Build Canada Homes venture over the next five years.

By February 2026, BCH has advanced multiple initiatives across the country – from Ottawa to Winnipeg to Nunavut – representing over 7,500 new homes.[2]

On 5 February 2026, the Government of Canada proposed new legislation called the Build Canada Homes Act, which upon receiving royal assent, will establish the BCH as a Crown corporation. Currently a special operating agency within the Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, as a Crown corporation, BCH shall have more operational autonomy and independence to take on risk.

Housing priorities

Initially set up to combat Canada’s housing crisis, BCH focuses its efforts on the following types of housing:

1. Transitional housing: Non-market short-term housing (up to three years) that bridges the gap from homelessness to permanent housing, often including support such as case management and life skills training to prepare residents for independent living.
2. Supportive housing: Non-market permanent housing with integrated support systems for those in need, related to mental/ physical health, developmental disabilities, and substance use.
3. Community housing: Also known as social housing or subsidised housing, non-market short-term or permanent housing for low-income earners who cannot afford market-rate apartments.
4. Affordable housing: Market rental or homeownership that costs 30% or less of its residents’ gross household income.

The above is often represented on a “housing continuum”, which BCH helpfully illustrates:[3]

Operational priorities

The BCH office anticipates achieving its homebuilding goals by leveraging the following tools:

1. Developing public lands under the portfolio of Canada Lands Company (“CLC”) – CLC has an index of real property which has been transferred to BCH, such that under its “Direct-Build initiative”, BCH will be the developer/ contracting authority (not the builder) on these lands.
2. Prioritising factory-build housing and innovative construction methods (“MMC”) – MMC is an umbrella term for homebuilding methods and technologies that improve productivity, efficiency, and speed of homebuilding, such as factory-build manufacturing of components or modules, repeatable, standardised designs, and integration of digital design and production technologies.
3. Sourcing Canadian materials – Concurrent with the Buy Canadian Policy and the Buy Ontario Act, BCH will prioritise proposals that feature Canadian materials, such as steel, mass timber, and softwood lumber.

Opportunities for the industry

As of February 2026, BCH has published a Request for Information (RFI), Request for Qualifications (RFQ), and a Request for Proposals (RFP).

The RFI aims to engage Canadian firms specialising in MMC and has a deadline of 5 March 2026.

The RFQ was seeking builders for its Direct-Build initiatives at Dartmouth and Longueuil.

The RFP is for proposals that meet BCH’s Investment Policy Framework – such that they increase the supply of housing referenced above, use the tools referenced above, and demonstrate financial viability and leverage other sources of funding.

Specific opportunities continue to roll out on the Build Canada Homes webpage.

Contact us

Our office in Canada supports international clients with their construction and infrastructure project needs. The team has experience in the affordable housing space and are licensed to practice in BC and Ontario. Should you have any questions on this article or require tailored advice in respect of future opportunities or projects in Canada, please contact Andrés Durán and Sherry Hussain.

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[1] Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Build Canada Homes

[2] The Government of Canada Introduces the Build Canada Homes Act   – Canada.ca

[3] Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – About Build Canada Homes