A year after its launch, Build Canada Homes is still far from its promise of 19,000 affordable homes.

Build Canada Homes pledged roughly 19,000 affordable units, but only about 2,000 are currently being built, according to the agency’s latest figures.

The organization only became a Crown corporation in July, after the Build Canada Homes Act received royal assent. In its first year it focused on clearing bureaucratic hurdles, securing land transfers and finalising intergovernmental agreements.

Canada stopped funding and building new affordable housing for roughly three decades, creating a large supply gap that left many families waiting for homes.

CMHC chief economist Mathieu Laberge warns that between 417,000 and 469,000 units must be built each year by 2036 to restore affordability to 2019 levels, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

To speed up delivery, Build Canada Homes is partnering with Alberta to build at least 1,460 affordable apartments and townhouses. Federal Housing Minister Gregor Robertson said the project is “much needed” in the fast‑growing province.

The agency also promotes modern construction methods such as modular, factory‑built and prefabricated housing, which can shorten build times and lower costs, a point Robertson highlighted when discussing industry modernisation.