Build Canada Homes: 6 Big Opportunities for Nonprofits and How to Get Ready

A New Era for Housing in Canada? What the Build Canada Homes Strategy Could Mean for Ontario

With the 2025 federal election now in the rearview mirror, a new political chapter is unfolding that could reshape the housing landscape in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly elected Liberal minority government has unveiled the Liberal Build Canada Homes (BCH) strategy, signalling a shift in how we approach affordable housing.

More than a plan to increase housing supply, the BCH strategy could reframe who gets to lead the charge. For the first time, nonprofit housing providers would be recognized not as peripheral players, but as central to solving the crisis. Though implementation is still on the horizon, the government’s message is clear: addressing Canada’s housing shortage means embracing new partnerships and rethinking old assumptions.

Here are six potential opportunities nonprofits should be looking at and how to prepare now so you can lead the charge:

1. Build Canada Homes: A New Federal Housing Agency on the Horizon.

The federal government strategy, Build Canada Homes (BCH), would be a new national housing agency that would take the lead on developing homes. It will also transfer all affordable housing programming from the Canada Mortgage and Housing to BCH.

Why it matters:

Navigating Canada’s housing programs can often feel like navigating a maze. BCH has the potential to simplify access to funding, land, and key development partners, making it easier for nonprofits to get projects off the ground. If done right, this could significantly shift how community housing gets built.

What you can do now:

Begin mapping out your upcoming development plans and funding requirements. When BCH opens its doors, having a clear pipeline of projects will help you move quickly and take full advantage of new opportunities.

2. Real Capital for Mission-Aligned Housing

BCH is set to deploy $10 billion in financing for affordable and deeply affordable housing, with a clear focus on equity and impact:

• $4 billion in fixed-rate loans

• $6 billion in capital for supportive, Indigenous, shelter, student, and seniors housing

• Homelessness reduction targets tied to Housing First strategies

Why it matters:

This isn’t just more capital—it’s the right kind of capital. It’s structured to support the work nonprofits are already doing, which means fewer compromises and more opportunities to stay true to your mission while scaling your impact.

What you can do now:

Get your house in order. Assemble your track record, impact metrics, financials, and compelling case studies. The BCH will look to “fast-track the applications for those who have a proven record with government funding.”

3. A New Path to Acquiring Existing Housing

Under the BCH strategy, private landlords could receive tax incentives for selling multi-unit buildings to nonprofits or land trusts, as long as they reinvest in building new rental housing.

Why it matters:

This creates a rare window for nonprofits to step in before speculators scoop up properties. It’s a practical, lower-cost way to grow your portfolio, preserve affordability, and prevent tenant displacement—without waiting years to break ground.

What you can do now:

Start scanning your local market. Are aging rental buildings at risk of being flipped into high-end units? Build relationships with owners and investors now, so you’re ready to move when the opportunity arises.

4. Lower Building Costs and Less Red Tape

The BCH strategy includes different measures aimed at reducing costs and accelerating timelines for affordable housing projects:

• 50% reduction in development charges (up to $40,000 per unit in cities like Toronto)

• Fast-track approvals for nonprofits with a strong delivery track record

• Permitting reforms to enable bulk applications

• Standardized, pre-approved building designs

Why it matters:

High fees and long waits have sidelined too many nonprofit projects. These changes recognize that time is money and affordable housing providers need speed and certainty, not red tape. This could be a game-changer for those who have experienced or worried about a project stalling because of permitting.

What you can do now:

Reconnect with your municipal planning teams. Some cities may already be aligning with the federal vision and unlocking local incentives or streamlined approvals you can tap into now.

5. Prefabricated, Modular Housing, and a push towards sustainability

The $26 billion that was announced would scale up prefabricated and modular construction, aiming to cut building time, reduce costs, and lower emissions—all while using Canadian-made materials like certified wood and mass timber.

Key features include:

• $25 billion in debt financing and $1 billion in equity financing.

• The strategy would prioritize certified wood, recycled content, and low-emission materials.

• Support apprenticeship opportunities

Prefabricated and modular housing can reduce construction times by up to 50 percent, costs by up to 20 percent, and emissions by up to 22 percent compared to traditional construction methods.

Why it matters:

Prefab is no longer on the margins—it’s fast, sustainable, and increasingly cost-effective. This could be a practical way to deliver high-quality housing for nonprofits working with limited capital and capacity without years of delays or cost overruns.

What you can do now:

Start exploring modular solutions. Reach out to local or regional builders with prefab expertise. Identify projects in your pipeline that could benefit from faster, factory-built construction, and be ready to pivot when BCH incentives launch.

6. The Workforce Shift Is Coming—Be Part of It

While BCH doesn’t yet include a full workforce strategy, its scale makes one inevitable. Meeting Canada’s housing targets will require a major ramp-up in skilled trades, green construction expertise, and apprenticeships.

Why it matters:

If your organization is involved in training, social enterprise, or employment support, this could be your moment. There’s growing space to connect housing development with workforce development—and to help shape a more inclusive, climate-ready economy.

What you can do now:

Start building relationships. Reach out to colleges, unions, Indigenous training initiatives, and employment service providers. Look for ways to align your housing mission with the jobs that BCH will generate, especially for those who’ve been left out of the trades in the past.

This Moment Is Different

The BCH strategy marks more than a policy shift; it signals a values shift. With its focus on deep affordability, Housing First, and nonprofit leadership, the federal government recognizes what community organizations have known all along: the path to solving Canada’s housing crisis runs through the nonprofit sector.

The proposed plan isn’t just about building more units. It’s about building the right kind of housing, rooted in equity, affordability, community, and support. Nonprofits already lead the way here. Now, for the first time in a long time, the policy environment might actually be catching up.

Ready to get ahead of the curve?

• Dust off that project plan

• Reconnect with funders and city partners

• Sharpen your impact story

• Revisit your acquisition strategy

• Need Support? Reach out to Sonderbloom—we’re here to help you get BCH-ready