First round of Housing Challenge focuses on data

OTTAWA — Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen has announced the government will launch the first round of its Housing Supply Challenge in October.

The first round, Data Driven, “seeks solutions to address gaps in housing data which is often outdated, inconsistent and not openly available, making it more difficult to manage housing supply issues,” stated a recent release.

Participants are being asked develop technology or methodology-based initiatives to improve data collection, sharing, analysis and integration as a way to improve decision-making on housing supply. The first round will feature allocations of up to $25 million to fund new programs.

“The data round aims to create long-term partnerships between data experts, housing experts, researchers and communities, which will enable the creation of housing supply solutions,” the release stated.  

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in collaboration with the Impact and Innovation Unit in the Privy Council Office and Infrastructure Canada will be running several rounds over the course of the five-year program, each targeting a different barrier to housing supply.

Upcoming rounds will focus on housing development, northern housing and the future of housing.

“Our goal is to encourage innovative and disruptive thinking within the housing ecosystem,” said Hussen in the statement. “Challenge-based initiatives have proven effective in uncovering new ideas and different points of view in other contexts, and I am confident it will help address housing supply needs.”