An innovative tool to support homebuilding
The Housing Design Catalogue draws on lessons from the history of homebuilding in Canada and applies them to the housing challenges of the 21st century.
Flexible Housing Solutions
- This is one of many initiatives in Canada’s Housing Plan aimed at building more homes.
- The catalogue offers 50 home designs including rowhouses and townhouses, fourplexes, sixplexes and detached accessory dwelling units.
- The designs support gentle density to increase housing options within existing neighbourhoods.
- Designs are tailored to 7 regions: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic provinces and Northern territories.
- Each design was developed by regionally-based architecture and engineering teams to align with local climate zones, regulations, construction methods and materials.
- Designs are intended for use within their designated regions. Using a design outside its intended region may require additional modifications to meet local requirements.
- All designs fall under Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada.
The catalogue supports a range of housing needs by following these design principles:
- Adaptability for a range of accessibility needs
- Energy efficiency and climate resilience
- Cost-effectiveness through standardization
- Reflective of regional climate zones, housing needs and construction methods
- Compliance with local codes and regulations
Inspired by our history
The Government of Canada is drawing inspiration from CMHC’s post-war housing design catalogue, first developed between the 1940s and 1970s. As an innovative solution to housing shortages, the catalogue provided builders with cost-effective standardized plans, simplifying construction and accelerating the delivery of new homes.
The post-war catalogue had a major influence on urban planning and development. Models such as the 1.5 storey “Victory Home” remain common fixtures in neighbourhoods across Canada.
Consulting with the housing sector
The Government of Canada led a targeted engagement process with the housing sector in Canada to seek expert feedback on the opportunities and challenges of implementing this tool. The results of this process are summarized in the What We Heard report.
Read the report