New tool for builders launched as part of Canada's plan to unlock public land for housing
Canada has unveiled a list of federal lands available for leasing, along with a new tool aimed at helping builders address the country's ongoing housing crisis.
The federal government has released a list of 56 properties that can be leased by builders to create much-needed housing. These sites, including five new properties now ready for leasing, are offered on a long-term lease basis, which is intended to keep housing affordable while ensuring that public land remains publicly owned.
One of the properties included in the initial release is located in Calgary, Alberta. The site is available for the construction of a six-storey condominium apartment building with 99 units, including at least 30% affordable housing. Another property, located in Edmonton, will accommodate 45 new townhomes, with half of them designated for affordable housing.
The Canada Lands Company, in collaboration with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has also issued a call for proposals from housing providers to access properties in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montréal.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader Public Lands for Homes Plan, which aims to speed up housing construction by using federal land.
"We need to build more homes in Canada, and one of the largest costs in building is land,” minister of housing Sean Fraser said in a media release. “By building on public lands, we can make it easier to build, and by leasing those same properties, we can make sure the homes built stay affordable for the long term."
The plan also includes a new online platform where builders and community organizations can provide feedback and propose housing solutions. This feedback will help inform the development of the properties and ensure that they meet the needs of the local population.
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The government is also accelerating its real property disposal process to streamline the development process for builders. Public Services and Procurement Canada is adopting new service standards to deliver properties quickly to interested partners.
"We need to do things differently and work in partnership to build more homes, faster. We are leading a Team Canada effort to unlock public lands for housing at a pace and scale not seen in generations, thus leveraging these properties to build strong communities and more affordable housing for the benefit of all Canadians," added Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of public services and procurement.
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