We support the Government of Canada’s establishment of Build Canada Homes, a new entity to build affordable housing and leverage the market to catalyze a modern homebuilding industry in Canada.
Key Recommendations
Affordability
Define an affordable home as one that is affordable both to access and to operate.
Efficiency First
Apply an “efficiency first” approach to design and construction requirements, using building codes and standards and integrated project delivery to ensure equipment and building practices deliver effective building performance and low operating costs.
Resilient Design
Incorporate building resiliency into design and construction to address risks associated with increasing extreme weather events and protect investments.
Existing Housing
Incorporate existing housing into the mandate of Build Canada Homes.
Market Stability
Create a market demand for housing that builds supply chains that serve Canadians and opens new markets globally, avoiding boom and bust cycles that threaten investments, harm workers, and result in stagnant industries.
Made-in-Canada Solutions
Incorporate made-in-Canada supplies that can also advance the retrofit market, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning and air quality equipment and systems, prefabrication panels, insulation, and high efficiency windows.
Workforce Development
Support long-term industrial strategy with investments in workforce development.
Background
Report: Valuing Deep Retrofits: How better residential buildings can lower healthcare costs in Alberta
Report: Preparing Alberta's Buildings for Severe Weather
Blog: Why Alberta needs resilient retrofits now
Report: Affordable Home Energy for All
Report: Healthy Buildings in a Changing Climate: Improving health with multi-unit residential building retrofits
Report: Canada’s Renovation Wave: A plan for jobs and climate
