Amount: up to a maximum of $5 million per project.

The Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative’s (RHII) goal is to advance innovative homebuilding solutions and boost productivity within the homebuilding sector in Canada.  Through the Initiative, the Agency is prioritizing projects that support innovative homebuilding solutions and demonstrate a clear connection in expediting change in the way homes are built in southern Ontario.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, your business must:

  • Be incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario.
  • Have at least 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
  • Have at least 3 years of business operations, as demonstrated by your financial statements.
  • Demonstrate market traction in the form of a commitment letter from at least one end-user/buyer of the project’s homebuilding solution, product or service.

Eligible activities

Priority may be given to businesses and/or organizations applying for projects that:

  • Increase productivity or output in manufacturing and construction technology (e.g., modular and/or pre-fabricated housing, panelized construction, 3D printing, etc.).
  • Promote the innovation, demonstration, commercialization and/or update of new materials/methods for homebuilding.
  • Support the development of industry tools that accelerates homebuilding innovation through improvement/adoption of off-site manufacturing technologies and practices.

Examples of the eligible projects:

  • Investing in advanced manufacturing technologies that improve productivity in housing construction (e.g., 3D printing, modular, and mass timber construction).
  • Adopting and scaling innovative construction methods, such as prefabrication and net-zero housing practices, that accelerate housing development.
  • Investing in automation and sustainable materials that enhance construction efficiency and support climate resilience.
  • Demonstrating and commercializing new technologies and materials for residential construction to improve supply chain capacity.
  • Developing and updating industry tools and technologies that drive efficiency in construction (e.g., prefabricated components, off-site construction practices).

Amount

Applicants can request up to a maximum of $5 million per project. Projects are normally within the range of $500,000 to $2 million. Exceptions may apply. Funding is normally offered in the form of a fully repayable, interest-free contribution.

Funding

To address housing pressures across the country, on April 12, 2024, the Prime Minister unveiled Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan to address housing shortages across Canada. To support the plan, Budget 2024 allocated $50 million over two years to Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to advance new homebuilding methods and boost productivity.

Timelines

Applications are accepted from October 22, 2024, to December 20, 2024, 4:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.