Build Canada Homes forecast to build 26,000 units: PBO
Ottawa (Ontario), December 2, 2025
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) has released an analysis of federal housing spending and the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new agency focused on creating housing.
From 2025–26 to 2029–30, Build Canada Homes plans to spend $7.3 billion, with $6.7 billion in new funding. Including loans and asset development, total planned disbursements will reach $13 billion, of which $11.6 billion is new money.
“Build Canada Homes is expected to add only a modest amount to the housing supply,” said Jason Jacques, Interim PBO. “We estimate about 26,000 units will be created over five years, a 2.1% increase in housing completions relative to our baseline projection.”
Planned spending by Build Canada Homes includes: • $625 million to help community housing providers buy rental apartments • $1 billion in contributions for transitional and supportive housing • $5.4 billion in grants, contributions, and loan concessions for affordable housing
“This new agency can fund about 13,000 new units for low-income households,” added Jacques. “But this comes as overall spending falls and support shifts away from programs like the Canada Housing Benefit and funding for existing social housing.”
The PBO’s report also finds that planned federal spending on housing programs is forecast to fall by 56%, from $9.8 billion in 2025–26 to $4.3 billion in 2028–29, despite new funding for Build Canada Homes. This drop comes from programs ending and cuts announced in Budget 2025.
The federal government says it wants to double housing construction over the next decade. However, no detailed plan to reach that goal has been released.
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