The Decibel Carney’s plan to build Canada out of the housing crisis
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May 26, 2025 Carolyn Whitzman, an adjunct professor and senior housing researcher at the University of Toronto, discusses Canada’s pressing housing crisis. She highlights Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ambitious plan to build millions of affordable homes using modular construction. The conversation analyzes historical housing policies from the 1940s and explores innovative solutions to overcome challenges in the current market, including zoning laws and rising costs. Whitzman emphasizes the need for collaboration among different government levels to create sustainable housing solutions.
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Post-War Housing Anecdote
- After WWII, Canada faced housing shortages for industrial workers and returning servicemen.
- The government built simple, mass-producible bungalows called 'strawberry boxes' using factory-built components.
Changing Housing Needs Over Time
- From the 1940s to the 80s, substantial non-market housing was built meeting societal needs of the time.
- Since then, changing demographics and reduced government involvement have led to today's housing crisis.
Build Canada Homes Strategy
- Build Canada Homes focuses on land use, financing, and prefab factory-built housing for affordability.
- Pre-approved, replicable housing designs and factory construction can speed approvals and construction times dramatically.