Recommendation 1

That the federal government ensure the availability of comprehensive and publicly accessible housing data to adequately assess housing needs in Canada and the actual effectiveness of federal programs designed to address these needs.

Recommendation 2

That, as a special operating agency, Build Canada Homes establish clear objectives and annual performance indicators, and ensure a high level of transparency to Canadians and to Parliament by regularly publishing detailed information on its activities, tenders, expenditures and results. Furthermore, when reviewing Bill C-20, which would transform Build Canada Homes into a Crown corporation, parliamentarians should ensure that it is bound by strict governance and accountability rules.

Recommendation 3

That Build Canada Homes ensure it attracts and retains highly qualified personnel from across the public service and from outside government in order to maintain and enhance the federal government’s expertise in affordable housing.

Recommendation 4

That the federal government promptly announce its intentions regarding the future of the National Housing Strategy and the level of funding to be allocated in the medium and long term to federal programs related to access to homeownership, and the construction and financing of affordable and non-market housing.

Recommendation 5

That Build Canada Homes ensure environmental considerations are incorporated into project selection, including by assessing environmental impacts, prioritizing construction in areas at lower risk of natural disasters, and taking into account the environmental performance and disaster resilience of construction materials.

Recommendation 6

That Build Canada Homes and the Canada Lands Company begin exploring the acquisition of additional land for the construction of non-market housing, particularly in areas where the federal government holds limited land and where non-market housing needs are significant; and that they explore the feasibility of transferring federal lands to Indigenous housing providers.

Recommendation 7

That the federal government give Build Canada Homes the mandate and tools to serve as a single window for organizations seeking to create, acquire or preserve non-market housing. In that capacity, Build Canada Homes should:

• support early project planning in order to reduce the costs and risks associated with pre-development;
• facilitate coordination and partnerships among different levels of government, municipalities and community stakeholders; and
• offer flexible financing tools tailored to project needs.

The Committee also believes that Build Canada Homes should take into account the distinct needs of diverse populations, including Indigenous people, newcomers and students, particularly with respect to housing affordability, size and accessibility, as well as the importance of preserving the existing supply of affordable housing.

Recommendation 8

That the federal government work with the provinces and territories to ensure that transitional housing supported by Build Canada Homes systematically includes a full range of support services. These services should include mental health, addiction and social services support, as well as tailored support based on needs, including those of Indigenous people.

Recommendation 9

That, to foster wider adoption of modern construction methods, the federal government:

• provide Building Canada Homes with enough funding to carry out affordable housing projects using modern construction methods and thereby enhance predictability and reduce the risks associated with the major initial investments in these methods; and
• work with the provinces, territories and municipalities to reduce regulatory and administrative barriers that could impede broader adoption of these methods, including by improving coordination between municipal approval processes and regulatory frameworks, in order to encourage their large-scale adoption.

Recommendation 10

That the federal government:

• pursue its efforts to encourage other levels of government to reduce or review development charges when they act as a barrier to new housing construction;
• continue supporting municipal infrastructure projects that underpin housing, and work closely with other levels of government to explore alternative and predictable funding mechanisms for municipal infrastructure related to residential development; and
• ensure that effective collaboration and communication mechanisms are in place with other levels of government and municipal associations to ensure that measures taken in the area of housing are consistent and coordinated.