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Housing

Build Canada Homes Unveils First Project in Toronto's Downsview Park

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The federal Liberal government's new housing agency, Build Canada Homes (BCH), has announced its first project in Toronto's Downsview Park. BCH will oversee the construction of 540 new homes, with at least 40% designated as affordable. The project aims to speed up construction by prefabricating and assembling units on-site. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson made the announcement, highlighting the government's plan to bridge the divide and make the housing market more accessible for Canadians.

Key Takeaways:

  • BCH will construct 540 new homes in the Arbo neighbourhood of Toronto's Downsview Park, with at least 40% designated as affordable.
  • The project will prioritize factory-built homes, with a requirement that builders use Canadian materials.
  • BCH will launch a request for qualifications to find partners to design and construct the units.
  • The project is part of the 25-hectare Arbo neighbourhood, one of 15 communities being built under a major mixed-use redevelopment of Downsview.
  • The federal government has pledged up to $283 million to upgrade Toronto's outdated Black Creek sewer system, which will support the development of over 60,000 additional homes in the area.
  • BCH received an initial spending allowance of $13 billion to finance, incentivize, and oversee the construction of new homes.
  • The agency will also have access to public lands formerly under the Canada Lands Company.
  • Despite concerns from critics on both the left and right, BCH has already faced objections regarding its focus on market-driven development incentives.

Statistics:

  • 540 new homes will be constructed in the Arbo neighbourhood of Downsview Park.
  • At least 40% of the units will be designated as affordable.
  • The project will prioritize factory-built homes, with a focus on using Canadian materials.
  • BCH will launch a request for qualifications to find partners to design and construct the units.
  • The federal government has pledged up to $283 million to upgrade Toronto's outdated Black Creek sewer system.
  • The project is part of the 25-hectare Arbo neighbourhood, which will accommodate 115,000 residents and 52,000 jobs.
  • The federal government has given BCH an initial spending allowance of $13 billion.
  • The agency will have access to public lands formerly under the Canada Lands Company.

Sources:

  • "Build Canada Homes Unveils First Project" by Ben Spurr, Toronto Star
  • "Federal government announces $283M to upgrade Black Creek sewer system" by Ben Spurr, Toronto Star
  • "Liberal government's new housing agency launches, announces 3,000 units to be built in Quebec, Ontario and other provinces" by Rachel Gilmore, Canadian Press

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