OTTAWA - The newly established Build Canada Homes agency will manage the construction of 4,000 homes on six federally owned sites, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Sunday. While the specific locations for these homes have not yet been disclosed, Carney indicated they will be situated in Dartmouth, N.S., Longueuil, Que., Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. Construction is anticipated to commence next year, according to a senior government official.

Carney addressed the challenges in the housing market, stating, "The core challenge present in the housing market is it's just too hard to build," during a press conference in Nepean. He has instructed his colleagues to identify government-owned land suitable for housing development, which will be added to the existing list of 88 properties available on the Canada Land Bank. This initiative aims to "help lower costs for builders and most importantly, lower the rents and new home prices for Canadian families," Carney explained.

The government’s rental protection fund, which assists community housing groups in acquiring private rental units to maintain affordability, will continue to operate under Build Canada Homes. Additionally, the agency will feature a $1 billion fund dedicated to transitional housing projects designed to support individuals at risk of homelessness.

Build Canada Homes is intended to be the primary agency overseeing affordable housing projects involving the federal government. Carney emphasized that the agency will focus on utilizing cost-effective and modern construction methods, including factory-built, modular, and mass timber housing. He also mentioned that the agency will implement the federal government’s recently announced "Buy Canadian" policy, which aims to prioritize Canadian materials and inputs to strengthen the economy amid U.S. tariffs.

Ana Bailão, a former Toronto city councillor and deputy mayor, has been appointed as the CEO of Build Canada Homes. Bailão has also served on the board of Toronto Community Housing.