The Canadian government is reviving a war-time housing program to address the current housing crunch in the country. The program, originally run by Wartime Housing Ltd., provided standardized housing blueprints during the Second World War, resulting in the construction of hundreds of thousands of homes.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser confirmed that the government will be revamping the program and introducing a catalogue of pre-approved designs for various types of homes, such as multiplexes, mid-rise buildings, student housing, and residences for seniors. The goal is to reduce construction timelines and increase efficiency in the housing industry by aligning the pre-approved designs with existing building codes. The government plans to initiate consultations on the matter in January and make the designs available for developers next fall.
The modern revamp of the war-time housing program in Canada aims to accelerate home construction and alleviate the housing crisis in the country. By reintroducing standardized housing blueprints, the government hopes to streamline the construction process and reduce timelines by up to 12 months.
The program will include a range of designs for different types of residential properties, including garden suites, laneway homes, and small-to-medium scale residential buildings. Builders will still have the flexibility to construct projects outside of the pre-approved designs, but using standardized plans could lead to more favorable terms from lenders and insurance companies. The government intends to collaborate with provincial and municipal partners to ensure a faster and more cost-efficient construction process while maintaining quality standards.