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

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Logo

Government of Canada logo

NORTH GRENVILLE, ON, July 29, 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 North Grenville has endorsed the Housing Design Catalogue, becoming the latest municipality to join dozens more across the country as an official Local Partner. North Grenville is proactively supporting the Catalogue by pre-reviewing designs to support streamlined approvals--making it easier for builders and homeowners to plan their projects.

The municipality has already demonstrated a commitment to standardized housing designs and gentle density as part of its approach to addressing local housing needs. North Grenville introduced a pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Unit plan and incentive program, in addition to implementing zoning amendments to enable infill development in existing neighbourhoods. These key initiatives, all part of its Housing Accelerator Fund action plan, complements the Housing Design Catalogue and will help create more housing options in the community.

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:

"Our new government is working together to build a stronger Canada--one community at a time. Across the country, partners are focused on the same goal: increasing the supply of housing so that more Canadians can find a home they can afford. By partnering with North Grenville, we are accelerating housing construction in a way that reflects the community's needs today and for generations to come." – The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"North Grenville is proud to be recognized as a Local Partner in CMHC's Housing Design Catalogue initiative. This recognition reflects years of purposeful work to increase housing choice and improve affordability in our community. Through the leadership of Council, the Mayor's Task Force on Affordable Housing, and strong partnerships with CMHC and others, North Grenville has embraced innovative approaches ¬– from securing Housing Accelerator Fund support, to launching our Additional Residential Unit program, to advancing planning and policy changes that make it easier to build the homes our residents need. We're proud that North Grenville continues to be recognized as a municipality that is willing to lead, innovate, and collaborate. This partnership builds on that momentum by giving homeowners, builders, and developers access to practical, high-quality housing designs that can help reduce costs, shorten timelines, and create more housing options. We look forward to continuing this work with CMHC and our partners as we help shape a more affordable and sustainable housing future for our community." – Nancy Peckford, Mayor of North Grenville

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]