The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has introduced a collection of free home designs aimed at expediting housing approvals. This initiative targets the so-called "missing middle" in established lower-density neighborhoods. The designs include options like fourplexes, six-plexes, and laneway houses, which are intended to bridge the gap between traditional single-family homes and larger apartment buildings.

CMHC states that by providing technical design packages, the catalogue helps builders and communities streamline the planning process for new housing projects. While the catalogue is not a comprehensive solution to the housing crisis, it draws inspiration from a similar program implemented after World War II. Many modest homes from that era, known as "Victory Homes," still exist today, often without any indication of government involvement in their construction.

The new designs, while intended for backyard construction, resemble many contemporary homes. However, the success of this initiative depends on municipal cooperation. An off-the-shelf design cannot eliminate bureaucratic hurdles alone. The challenges of building new housing often intensify when faced with opposition from local residents who prefer to maintain the status quo. The tension between anti-development groups, often referred to as NIMBYs (Not In My Backyard), and pro-development advocates, known as YIMBYs (Yes In My Backyard), frequently favors the NIMBY perspective.

The federal Liberal government has faced criticism for not enforcing development conditions in politically sensitive areas. For instance, Toronto recently received funding from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, despite not meeting all the specified criteria, such as keeping development charges below April 2024 levels.

Despite some objections, the concept of a design catalogue has garnered general support. Individuals are not required to use the plans if they choose not to. However, some critics have raised concerns about the aesthetic quality of the designs. Former federal leader Stockwell Day expressed skepticism on social media, suggesting that some designs resemble Soviet-era architecture. Conservative commentator Howard Anglin questioned the effort to prioritize aesthetics, while Kelden Formosa criticized one design as a mix of shipping container and farmhouse styles.

While opinions on the designs vary, the pressing issue remains the ongoing housing crisis. In Toronto, the average price of a detached home has skyrocketed from seven times the median household after-tax income 25 years ago to 14 times today. This stark increase highlights the urgent need for more housing options. Approximately one-third of Canadians currently reside in apartments, indicating a significant demand for diverse housing solutions. The CMHC's catalogue aims to address this need, even as debates about design aesthetics continue.