Build Canada Homes (BCH) was proposed during the federal election campaign as a new federal housing entity aimed at massively scaling up the government’s role in affordable housing development. The plan’s goal is to double Canada’s residential construction to nearly 500,000 units annually, aiming to reverse decades of under-building and address the national housing crisis.

As the national voice of community housing, CHRA is working to ensure that Build Canada Homes reflects the needs, experiences, expertise, and priorities of the community housing sector.

Building Affordability into Build Canada Homes

t the end of August 2025, CHRA submitted Building Affordability into Build Canada Homes - our submission in response to the Build Canada Homes Market Sounding Guide, informed by a series of engagements and consultations with CHRA members.

Read the full submission.

Report: Accelerating the Creation of New Community Housing

At the end of June 2025, CHRA hosted an in-person workshop in Ottawa to help shape our approach to Build Canada Homes. CHRA members shared practical ideas and insights on how to deliver more affordable community housing, and the workshop concluded with a dialogue with federal officials, including Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson.

CHRA released Accelerating the Creation of New Community Housing in September, 2025; a report that summarizes the key takeaways from the community housing providers that participated in the workshop.

The workshop facilitation process generated five key insights:

  1. Community Housing at the Centre: As experts in creating and delivering long-term affordable housing options, community housing providers need to be central partners in the co-design and delivery of government processes and programs.
  2. Urgency and Momentum: The sector is ready, with active development pipelines and growing capacity, but needs decisive government action to minimize any delays or uncertainty that risk losing existing and proposed projects.
  3. Predictability and Scaling: Unpredictable funding and overly complex application processes make it difficult to plan or scale – sustained long-term funding mechanisms that support portfolio-level development are essential for achieving scale.
  4. Simplification and Speed: Complex, opaque, and duplicative processes slow delivery and drain resources. Streamlining approvals, underwriting, and decision-making processes are critical enablers to speed and scale.
  5. Deep Affordability and Indigenous Housing: Deeply affordable housing must remain a core objective, and there is an urgent need for dedicated funding and governance structures that reflect Indigenous leadership and rights.

Read the full report.