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Permit-ready Canadian standardised modular homes to follow catalogue publishing in 2025.
Canada is preparing to introduce its first standardised modular housing design catalogue this December to address the ongoing housing crisis. While the initial set of designs will be available for review, builders will have to wait until early 2025 for the permit-ready versions.
Canada’s Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced that the modular housing catalogue will feature up to 50 conceptual designs, focusing on modular and prefabricated housing options. The designs will cover a variety of formats, including row houses, fourplexes, sixplexes, and accessory dwelling units. However, the fully compliant, permit-ready packages won’t be available until next year.
“We need to build more homes, faster to end Canada’s housing crisis and ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call their own,” Fraser stated. “The Housing Design Catalogue will help get us there by expediting approval processes and building times, and reducing the cost of building.”
The modular housing catalogue’s primary objective is to eliminate delays by offering pre-approved designs tailored to meet regional building codes, ultimately easing housing supply constraints. Floor plans, illustrations, and basic technical information will be included, with complete construction details and cost estimates to follow in 2025. This initiative is designed to streamline the construction process, making it more efficient for builders.
The federal government has also enlisted two architectural firms for the project: MGA | Michael Green Architecture, covering British Columbia, and LGA Architectural Partners, responsible for Alberta, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces, and Northern Canada.
Additionally, the government is inviting industry members to submit their existing prefabricated housing designs by 8 November 2024. Companies specialising in modular, 3D-printed, and panelised homes have the opportunity to feature their work in the national initiative.
For the 2024-25 budget, CAD 11.6 million (AUD 13.4 million) has been allocated to support the modular housing catalogue’s development. By accelerating approvals and construction timelines, the government aims to reduce the housing deficit across the country. A design competition will also be launched in November, seeking innovative mid-rise building concepts to feature in future editions of the catalogue.
See: housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/housing-logement/design-catalogue-conception/
