OTTAWA: Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, has announced the Government will launch the first round of the Housing Supply Challenge in October.
The first round, Data-Driven, seeks solutions to address gaps in housing data which is often outdated, inconsistent, and not openly available, making it more difficult to manage housing supply issues.
Participants will create technology or methodology-based solutions to improve data collection, sharing, analysis, and integration, thus improving decisionmaking on housing supply.
This first round will disburse up to $25 million to fund a variety of new solutions. The Data round aims to create long-term partnerships between data experts, housing experts, researchers, and communities, which will enable the creation of housing supply solutions.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in collaboration with the Impact and Innovation Unit in the Privy Council Office and Infrastructure Canada, will be running several rounds over the course of the five-year program, each targeting a different barrier to housing supply.
Upcoming rounds will focus on various issues, including housing development, northern housing, and the future of housing.
Ahmed Hussen said: “Our goal is to encourage innovative and disruptive thinking within the
housing ecosystem. Challenge-based initiatives have proven effective in uncovering new ideas and different points of view in other contexts, and I am confident it will help address housing supply needs.”
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, said: “The issues relating to housing supply are complex and cannot be solved by one organization alone. We need the right type of housing, with proximity to public transit, schools, and other services.
Through the Housing Supply Challenge, we are looking for the best ideas and the right solutions while encouraging collaboration among innovators, researchers, industry and all levels of Government.”
• According to the 2016 Census, approximately 1.7 million Canadian households were in core housing need in 2016. Canada requires more housing supply, but there is no single solution to address this need.
• To help municipalities grow their housing supply, Budget 2019 provided $300 million in funding over five years to launch a Housing Supply Challenge to address housing supply and unlock new solutions for Canadians searching for an affordable place to call home.
• The Challenge will help address barriers to housing supply and affordability, showcase new ideas and solutions, and cultivate collaboration and partnerships.
• The Challenge is a component of Impact Canada, a Government of Canada-wide initiative to help departments accelerate the adoption of innovative funding approaches to deliver meaningful results to Canadians.
• The Challenge also aligns with the National Housing Strategy and CMHC’s goal, that by 2030 everyone in Canada has a home they can afford. – CNW