CMHC's Housing Supply Challenge enters its third round

The federal government has announced $80 million in funding for the third round of its Housing Supply Challenge, a round that will focus on breaking down supply issues in Canada’s northern and remote regions.

The round, dubbed “Northern Access: Supply Chain Solutions for Northern and Remote Housing”, is the latest step in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s initiative to incubate geographically tailored strategies that address the long distances that hinder construction supply routes and shipping; the harsh climate that necessitates a short construction season; and the high cost of materials and skilled labour for projects in the nation’s farthest reaches.

“Increasing the supply of housing requires innovative and disruptive thinking, and that’s exactly what the Northern Access round of the Housing Supply Challenge intends to do,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. “By bringing forward the best new ideas, we are working with our partners to turn these ideas into realities and address housing supply chain issues in northern and remote communities across Canada.”

Read more: CMHC on what’s impacting Northern housing

CMHC is encouraging supply-chain professionals; for-profit and non-profit organizations; Indigenous governments, organizations, and groups; post-secondary institutions; and representatives of governments at all levels to participate in the “Northern Access” round.

“The Housing Supply Challenge is all about bringing people together to find local solutions that work for each community. The investment our government is announcing, made possible through the National Housing Strategy, will lead to innovative solutions that will break down barriers and make real positive change in northern and remote communities,” said Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.