There's been lots of talk about nation-building and building infrastructure to help businesses grow the economy.
What about building housing to help Canadians grow the economy? What about building housing that meets the needs of low to middle income Canadians who are struggling the most?
Below are updates, starting with the most recent one, with actions and tools you can use to help us build one million affordable homes in Canada.
UPDATE: November 7, 2025
On November 4th, the federal government released its annual budget. Housing activists were waiting for details on the $13 billion four year commitment made by the Prime Minister to enable Build Canada Homes to focus on building non-market housing. Unfortunately, the details were disappointing.
Of the the $13 billion, only $7.3 billion is earmarked for non-market housing and it will be spread over five years, not four. Over $4 billion is earmarked for first time homebuyers who won't have to pay HST on homes under $1.5 million. While supporting first time homebuyers is understandable, doing so at the expense of people who need affordable homes now makes no sense.
On September 13th, Prime Minster Carney announced the creation of Build Canada Homes (BCH). Its mandate is to work with private developers, non-profit housing providers and other governments to create affordable housing for low and middle income Canadians with $13 billion in government funds. The actions we've been calling for fit perfectly with BCH's mandate.
Build Canada Homes should dramatically increase the supply of affordable homes for Canadians. It will create partnerships between private developers with construction capacity and experienced non-profit housing providers to get shovels in the ground. Once built, the units will be operated by non-profit housing providers and offer affordable rents for low to middle income Canadians.
The September 3rd letter we sent to the Federal Housing Minister asking him to invest heavily in non-market housing can act as a high level "to do" list. After all, it was signed by 16 prominent developers, non-profit housing providers and civil society leaders who are experienced and knowledgeable.
Now we need to amplify BCH'S impact and show the PM we support its mandate and mission.
Take Action!
Send a letter to Prime Minister Carney telling him you support Build Canada Homes and ask him to make building one million affordable homes a nation-building project.
Below are more update with actions, tools and analysis
On September 3rd, we sent a letter to the Federal Housing Minister outlining what actions the Feds could take to build one million units of non-market housing and why this should be a nation-building project.
We believe building one million homes for low to middle income Canadians should be a priority nation-building project that is vital to growing our economy, will protect us from the economic uncertainty we're facing and help Canadians directly.
Read the letter to Gregor Robertson, the Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
