What’s new

• BCH is actively reviewing submissions from governments, non-profits, and private developers – and triaging which projects to advance
• Projects being prioritized are near-term (≤12 months to construction), deliver affordability at scale (using BCH definitions), leverage strong partnerships, and incorporate faster delivery methods (e.g., modular/offsite)
• Early commitments include RFPs for development partners on surplus federal lands (‘direct build’ stream) and partnerships with municipal and provincial governments to deliver affordable housing (including transitional and supportive) elsewhere (‘partnership stream’)
• BCH is emphasizing efficient capital deployment, including openness to stacking with programs such as CMHC to improve project viability
• Scaled to 25+ staff – including hires from municipal governments, federal ministries, and the private sector – though full operational build-out will likely take another ~6-12 months

Why it matters

• This is no longer about submitting – it’s about getting prioritized
• Early announcements demonstrate momentum, but the real test will be BCH’s ability to structure partnerships with private and NFP developers
• BCH is looking for larger, higher-impact opportunities – portfolios, partnerships, and projects that deliver measurable public value at scale
• Partnerships with private and NFP developers will be driven as much by confidence in delivery as by the project itself
• Early projects are already setting internal benchmarks – and later submissions will be judged against them

What most people get wrong

• Applying a traditional program mindset (e.g. CMHC) with fixed intakes and prescriptive guidance – when BCH is advancing projects as they emerge and intentionally flexible (within Investment Framework guardrails)
• Taking a “submit and wait” approach – when projects that move are actively positioned, reinforced, and advanced through the system
• Assuming fundamentals alone will carry the file, without building alignment across civil service and political channels (fundamentals)

What to do

• Advance projects that are affordable, shovel-ready (or near approvals), and aligned with BCH’s core prioritization signals (scale, partnerships, and speed – including Canadian offsite components and materials)
• Don’t just submit – have a deliberate engagement strategy and align with internal evaluators while building support with political decision-makers and influencers
• Structure with municipal, provincial, and/or non-profit/community partners to strengthen delivery credibility and build political support
• For offsite providers: engage developers/sponsors as a solution partner – via public land RFPs, developer partnerships, or BCH-led matchmaking

Building Edge Strategies is a government relations firm with principal-led strategy and execution – supported by senior advisors – helping developers, project sponsors, manufacturers and non-profits advance complex files where government decisions sit on the critical path.