Canada's Modular Housing Call

From Opinion to Action: How Prefab Solutions is Operationalizing Canada's Modular Housing Call

A recent opinion piece in Daily Hive by Tore Jacobsen and Baldev Gill of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board delivered a powerful and timely message: for Canada to solve its housing crisis, prefabricated and modular construction must move from the margins to the mainstream of our national strategy. The authors rightly argue that it’s time to stop with lip service and start implementing the policies and financing that will turn factory-built housing into a made-in-Canada manufacturing boom.

At Prefab Solutions, we don't just share this opinion—we are actively building the framework to make it a reality. The challenges and solutions outlined by Jacobsen and Gill are the very pillars of our daily work: demystifying the prefab process for homeowners, advocating for intelligent policy reform, and championing Canadian innovation like our PrefabIQ platform. This article isn't just an agreement; it's a diagram for how we are translating this critical call to action into tangible progress.

Validating the Core Challenges: The Headwinds Are Real

The Daily Hive article accurately identifies the systemic barriers that have, for too long, kept prefab housing a niche solution. At Prefab Solutions, we know many encounter these headwinds directly, be it aspiring home owners, or industry partners:

1. The Financing Mismatch: As noted, project financing is designed for traditional construction, releasing funds based on visible on-site progress. This creates a crippling cash-flow problem for manufacturers who incur costs upfront on the factory floor. In our advocacy and through our blog, The Modularity Blog, we consistently highlight this as one of the biggest obstacle to scaling the industry. We've proposed concrete solutions, such as milestone-based lending tied to factory production stages, which align perfectly with the call for a 'prefab-ready lending stream' within CMHC programs.

2. The Zoning Patchwork: The article's point about municipalities forcing redesigns is a daily frustration. A prefab home designed for Ottawa might not comply with setback or height rules in Toronto, killing economies of scale. Our policy recommendations always emphasize the need for provincial leadership in zoning harmonization. We advocate for the creation of pre-approved, modular design catalogues that municipalities can adopt to fast-track permits, providing the consistency manufacturers need.

3. The Demand Vacuum: Without predictable, large-scale demand, manufacturers cannot justify the massive capital investment required for automation and skilled workforce development. The authors' proposal for a multi-year government procurement roadmap is exactly the kind of demand-side stimulus we support. Public projects, from social housing to schools—should lead the way in creating a stable pipeline for the industry.

Prefab Solutions: Building the Bridge from Problems to Progress

So, how do we move from identifying these problems to solving them? At Prefab Solutions, we operate on three interconnected fronts:

• For Homeowners & Buyers (Demystification): We cut through the complexity and act as a trusted, unbiased guide. Many Canadians are curious about prefab but are overwhelmed by questions about builders, permits, and process. We help them understand their options, connect with reputable partners, and navigate the journey from planning to move-in. By building informed consumer demand, we help create a stronger market pull for quality prefab homes.

• For Policymakers & Institutions (Advocacy & Strategy): Our work doesn't stop at individual homes. We publish thought pieces and policy recommendations aimed at the very barriers the Daily Hive piece outlines. We champion the need for modernized financing products, streamlined zoning, and strategic public procurement. We see ourselves as a crucial bridge, translating industry pain points into actionable policy proposals for all levels of government.

• For the Industry (Innovation & Tools): We are putting our ideas into code through PrefabIQ. This made-in-Canada software platform is designed to be the digital backbone the industry lacks, integrating everything from site analysis and 3D design to project management and logistics. Tools like PrefabIQ directly address the inefficiencies that inflate costs and create delays, helping builders deliver on the promise of speed, quality, and affordability.

The Stakes: A Made-in-Canada Future

Jacobsen and Gill conclude with a vital warning we fully echo: without decisive action, Canada risks importing solutions instead of manufacturing them. We have the timber, the land, the skilled workers, and the innovative companies like Intelligent City, cited in the article. What we need is the coordinated industrial strategy to bind them together.

Prefab Solutions is committed to being part of that binding agent. By educating the market, advocating for smart policy, and building the tools for efficiency, we are working to ensure that the homes that solve Canada's housing crisis are not only built faster and smarter but are built here, creating jobs and reinforcing a resilient, modern Canadian economy. The opinion is clear. The path forward is known. Now is the time for concerted action. At Prefab Solutions, we're already building.

References & Further Reading:

1. Jacobsen, T. & Gill, B. (2025, December 7). Opinion: Canada can achieve more new homes by building them in factories. Daily Hive. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-prefabricated-modular-housing-solution

2. Prefab Solutions. (n.d.). The Modularity Blog: Prefabricated Home Resources & Policy Analysis. https://prefabsolutions.ca/prefab-home-resources-the-modularity-blog

3. Brock Commons Tallwood House, University of British Columbia. (n.d.). A case study in mass timber and modular construction efficiency.

4. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). (n.d.). Apartment Construction Loan Program. https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/project-funding-and-mortgage-financing/funding-programs/apartment-construction-loan-program