Red tape, lack of coordination delay Ottawa’s affordable housing push

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeReal EstateRed tape, lack of coordination delay Ottawa’s affordable housing push'We have been failing young Canadians ... and we have to change it,' said Benjamin TalBuild Canada Homes chief executive Ana Bailão takes part in a housing announcement in Ottawa on Sept. 22, 2026. Photo by Blair Gable/Postmedia filesBuild Canada Homes, the federal government’s housing agency, committed to building 19,000 homes in its first year, 2,300 of which are currently under construction. It’s part of Ottawa’s effort to speed up the delivery of affordable housing across the country.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“We think sometimes to deliver housing, the only issue is funding, and it’s not,” said Build Canada’s chief executive Ana Bailão during an Empire Club of Canada event in Toronto on Friday.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Sometimes the issue is more on the delivery, the things not being aligned between governments, such as taking too long to take your permits and then funding doesn’t come at the same time,” she said.SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe federal housing agency has struck 19 financial partnerships over the past year, including agreements with provinces and municipalities such as Quebec, British Columbia, Ottawa and Toronto. In addition to the 2,300 homes currently being built, there are about 3,000 supportive and transitional housing units, Bailão said.The agency has also helped unlock nearly $12 billion worth of investment and designated 24 sites across more than 1,100 acres of federal land for affordable housing.Bailão described the agency’s first year as “steady progress against stiff headwinds.”“If you ask me if I’m satisfied with the results, the answer is no,” she said. “But if you ask me if I’m encouraged, the answer is yes.”Bailão said Build Canada is trying to address delays by getting governments and other partners aligned earlier. The agency has signed agreements with 10 provinces and territories and created implementation tables to coordinate projects, investments and priorities.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.She also previewed a yet-to-be announced partnership to build 1,000 affordable homes across several small and mid-sized communities. The initiative will bring together municipalities, a modular housing manufacturer, non-profit housing providers, financing partners and the provincial government.“We are creating a multi-year, multi-project delivery system,” Bailão said. “It is repeatable, it is scalable, and it stretches our public dollar much farther.”Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist at CIBC Capital Markets, who moderated the discussion, said the stakes are high.“We have been failing young Canadians,” Tal said. “And we have to change it.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.