“Most Ambitious”? Build Canada Homes Faces Old Problems (Part 2)

Bready Wu |WBN News – Vancouver | October 1, 2025 Editor: Karalee Greer   Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.

Despite its bold ambitions, Build Canada Homes faces headwinds that have long plagued Canada’s housing system—raising doubts about whether funding alone can solve a deeply entrenched supply crisis.

While the federal government’s return to housing development through BCH has been widely praised, industry stakeholders and housing advocates are urging caution.

Key Criticisms & Concerns:

• Affordability Targets Are Vague: Groups like the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness warn that without clear benchmarks—such as reducing homelessness or ensuring “deep affordability”—the plan risks measuring success by unit count alone (CAEH, 2025).
• Labour Shortages Remain Unresolved: Funding doesn’t solve the shortage of skilled trades, a nationwide issue that continues to delay project timelines (RBC, 2025).
• Municipal Bottlenecks Persist: High fees like Vancouver’s Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) and slow permit processes remain outside federal jurisdiction—adding friction to project delivery.
• New Bureaucracy or Better Delivery? Analysts caution that shifting programs from CMHC to a new agency may increase administrative overlap without improving results.

Looking Ahead:
Build Canada Homes could reshape Canada’s housing future—if it succeeds in navigating the complex web of local, provincial, and federal responsibilities. The plan’s emphasis on modular innovation, public land, and financial supports is promising. But without fast-tracked approvals, a scalable labour force, and coordination across municipalities, the “most ambitious” plan could end up repeating old missteps.

This article is for educational and informational purposes. For localized insights on how this policy may impact your land value, redevelopment potential, or multiplex opportunities, let’s connect via LinkedIn or call me at 778-838-3099 for a strategy session tailored to your real estate goals.

Bready Wu | Greater Vancouver Land Assembly | Strata-wind up Specialist | LinkedIn Profile

Editor: Karalee Greer   Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.

Tags: #WBN News Vancouver #Bready Wu #Kitsilano #Build Canada Homes #Vancouver Development #Housing Policy