The federal government’s new Build Canada Homes (BCH) program signals a bold return to building housing at scale.
The goal—accelerating the delivery of affordable homes—is critical. But BCH risks missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity: activating community land trusts (CLTs).
CLTs already deliver on many of the directions stated within the BCH Market Sounding Guide:
- They lock in affordability by removing land from speculation.
- They manage large portfolios, from hundreds of homes in Toronto to rural projects in Québec.
- They leverage private and philanthropic capital, including millions raised through community bonds.
Despite its promise, BCH leaves out key ingredients that CLTs are ready to deliver:
- Permanent affordability that lasts beyond 99 years.
- Deep affordability for seniors, students, workers, and people with disabilities.
- Community-driven solutions shaped by residents.
- Leadership by equity-deserving organizations, ensuring those most affected by the housing crisis are in the driver’s seat.
- Right-sized rural housing and mixed-use spaces for small businesses and culture.
Build Canada Homes tackles the financing puzzle, but without structural change, today’s investments could leak back into speculative markets within a generation. CLTs are that structural change. They keep land permanently affordable, locally accountable, and community-owned.
Canada has an opportunity to build more than homes. We can build permanence, equity, and trust.