This week, a new catalogue of pre-approved housing designs was revealed in British Columbia, which is raising questions about the availability of a promised federal counterpart. There is a pressing need to speed up the federal promise and make it easier to build more homes, especially prefab homes. Prefab construction involves building most of the structure off-site in a factory and then assembling it on location.
Advocates are pushing for standardized designs to streamline the building process by cutting through bureaucratic red tape. Kelowna, B.C., has already introduced standardized designs, approving them within ten days, compared to 18 months in other areas. A federal catalogue for pre-approved designs is essential, according to experts.
The B.C. government recently released a free catalogue of housing designs compatible with the 2024 Building Code. This catalogue can be customized for different lot sizes and configurations throughout the province. The federal government plans to introduce a similar catalogue by late 2024.
Canada’s housing approach has been fragmented, with each municipality having its own rules and regulations. Standardized designs will not only speed up construction but also reduce costs and avoid delays. The need for action at both the federal and provincial levels is critical to address the housing crisis facing Canadians.
In conclusion, a federal catalogue of designs is crucial to meet the increasing demand for housing in Canada. Initiatives like these have been successful in the past, such as after the Second World War when pre-approved home designs helped accelerate home construction across the country.
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