Canada announces Amherst as new Local Partner committed to using the Housing Design Catalogue

AMHERST, NS, Aug. 18, 2026 /CNW/ -- Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada's housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country. We are focused on building great neighbourhoods that Canadians want to, and can afford to live in.

The Housing Design Catalogue is part of a broader set of measures introduced by the federal government to double the rate of housing construction, restore affordability, and reduce homelessness. The Catalogue supports standardization in the housing sector, and local governments are key partners in unlocking that potential, through a library of over 50 pre-approved low-rise housing plans to accelerate gentle density nationwide, that's free to use for all Canadians. The designs take into consideration the different building requirements across Canada and were developed by regional architecture and engineering teams.

Today, the federal government, announced that Amherst has endorsed the Housing Design Catalogue, becoming the latest municipality to join dozens more across the country as an official Local Partner. Amherst is proactively supporting the Catalogue by pre-reviewing designs to support streamlined approvals--making it easier for builders and homeowners to plan their projects. Amherst is promoting all seven Atlantic designs, including accessory dwelling units, fourplexes, stacked townhouses and a sixplex.

Also highlighted today is Amherst's success in meeting their Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) commitments and exceeding housing unit targets. Amherst proposed an ambitious Housing Action Plan which included zoning changes that increase flexibility, allow up to six units on residential lots, and support residential density in commercial areas. Through Housing Accelerator Fund reforms, the building permit review process is also faster and more predictable.

Amherst recently received its second HAF installment of $566,038, reflecting the successful implementation of its plan. The HAF rewards local governments that are cutting red tape and taking action to build more homes faster. High-performing communities were eligible for top-up funding to pursue additional initiatives.

Through Housing Accelerator Fund reforms, the building permit review process is faster and more predictable. The Town also implemented measures that lay the groundwork for Catalogue adoption including zoning changes that increase flexibility, allow up to six units on residential lots, and support residential density in commercial areas.

Work continues with local governments across Canada to encourage them to support the Housing Design Catalogue. The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process – helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

Quotes:

"Today, as partners, we're building a stronger Canada. Looking around me, I know that while each of us has different solutions to share, we share the same goal: to increase residential construction and ensure that everyone in Canada has a place to live." – Alana Hirtle, Member of Parliament for Cumberland--Colchester

"As communities across Canada work to address housing needs, it's important that we make reliable information and practical solutions as accessible as possible. This new resource from CMHC gives homeowners, builders and developers another tool to help them explore housing options that can contribute to Amherst's continued growth while reducing some of the time and cost involved in the early planning stages." – Rob Small, Mayor of Amherst

Quick Facts:

• List of Local Partners: Housing Catalogue support for local governments
• Homeowners, builders, and communities interested in receiving updates can sign up on the Housing Design Catalogue webpage.
• The full technical design packages launched in October 2025 consist of architectural and engineering drawings and specifications, including accessible-ready and enhanced-accessible layouts, energy reporting documents and templates, building performance reports, and a user guide. Regional construction cost summaries and guidance on climate resilience and material selection are also now available. The designs cover all regions of the country: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), and the Northern territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut). Designs were developed by regional architecture and engineering teams, and focus on creating gentle density and infill development in existing neighbourhoods in all regions of the country.
• The federal government will continue to engage provinces and territories under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, including collaborating on the Housing Design Catalogue and standardized designs.
• The federal government is drawing inspiration from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)'s post-war housing design catalogues developed between the 1940s and 1970s.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will continue to deliver on its mandate to contribute to the well-being of Canada's housing system through existing programs such as the Apartment Construction Loan Program and Mortgage Loan Insurance products.

Additional Information:

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information. 
• Build Canada Homes is ready to partner with organizations committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Learn more about the portal and the Investment Policy Framework.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is a federal Crown corporation and the foundation of Canada's housing system. For over 80 years, CMHC has supported the functioning of housing markets across the country through housing finance solutions -- including mortgage loan insurance and securitization -- while providing trusted, unbiased data, research and market intelligence to inform policy and decision making. Through its national presence, deep expertise in housing economics and finance, and a system-wide perspective, CMHC helps foster a more stable, well-functioning housing market that supports households, communities and the broader economy.

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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Contacts: Arianna Durgerian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]