Canada to Unveil First Standardized Housing Designs in December

In an effort to accelerate housing construction and address Canada’s ongoing housing crisis, the federal government will launch the first iteration of its standardized housing design catalogue in December 2024. The catalogue will feature up to 50 conceptual designs, including row houses, fourplexes, sixplexes, and accessory dwelling units. However, permit-ready designs won’t be available until early 2025.

Part of a broader initiative to standardize and streamline the homebuilding process, the designs are expected to help expedite construction approvals and reduce costs. The federal government first announced the project in December 2023 as part of a revised version of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) initiative used during post-World War II housing shortages. Known as “victory homes” or “strawberry box homes,” these earlier efforts provided fast, affordable housing for thousands of Canadians.

“The Housing Design Catalogue will help get us there by expediting approval processes and building times, and reducing the cost of building,” said Minister of Housing Sean Fraser, who is expected to announce the initiative in a formal statement. The government hopes that this streamlined process will ensure more Canadians have access to affordable homes faster.

Designs and Collaborations

The initial catalogue will contain floor plans, drawings, and basic information about the proposed housing options. More detailed, permit-ready designs, fully compliant with regional building codes and construction specifications, will be available in early 2025. These packages will also include estimated construction costs, making it easier for builders to assess project feasibility.

MGA | Michael Green Architecture has been selected to design housing for British Columbia, while LGA Architectural Partners Ltd. will handle designs for other regions, including Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces. In addition, the government has opened submissions for prefabricated and modular housing designs from industry stakeholders, with a submission deadline set for November 8, 2024.

Future Plans and Broader Impact

This initiative aims to not only speed up homebuilding but also encourage innovative building techniques, such as modular and 3D-printed homes. A future iteration of the catalogue, focusing on mid-rise buildings, will be developed through a design competition set to launch in November 2024.

The federal budget for 2024-2025 allocated $11.6 million toward the development of the catalogue, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis. However, collaboration with provinces, territories, and municipalities will be essential, as access to federal funding will depend on these partnerships.

This effort to create standardized housing designs signals a significant step forward in tackling the urgent demand for more housing across Canada. By 2025, builders will have access to a suite of pre-approved, code-compliant designs, potentially transforming the speed and efficiency of housing construction nationwide.