Addressing the unique…

Addressing the unique housing needs for rural and Northern Ontario municipalities is a critical exercise to introduce innovation as a viable solution to issues communities are currently facing. CABN is a net zero, sustainable home design and development organization. In partnership with our not-for-profit arm, the CABN.CO Foundation, we work with communities to assess viability for alternative housing solutions, offering sustainable and attainable solutions for on or off grid communities. Given our unique position, we have researched the issue considerably, and are positioned to provide commentary on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing policy proposal. 

Accessible, sustainable and rapid housing is the critical answer to one of the largest issues facing Canadian municipalities. Traditional home construction presents an option that can be cost prohibitive, resource intensive, all while failing to perform optimally in rural and northern regions. There is a demonstrated need for housing that is easy to ship, quick to assemble, and leverages innovations like renewable energy as well as sustainable waste and water solutions.

The average cost of new home construction in Ontario is between $120-$240 per square foot. In addition, building a net-zero home is usually considered a luxury item and not something affordable for average or low-income individuals. Estimates say net zero homes are typically 10% more expensive to build than standard homes. While the design and environmental benefits support a more sustainable future, net-zero homes are still limited in larger scale community deployments, despite clear advantages in rural and northern communities.

However, preliminary CABN Foundation research indicates it is possible to deliver a net-zero home at a price that is less than the cost of the average standard home. Moreover, our lifecycle analysis indicates there may be even greater savings over time by substantially reducing energy costs and eliminating energy poverty. Furthermore, for larger developments, economies of scale allow for the reduction of component costs. The CABN.CO Foundation’s work offers a path for affordable sustainability by increasing access to critical information, thereby elevating demand within the industry.

Traditional, inexpensive home construction is typically accomplished through modular construction, which costs less than stick builds. The average modular construction does not include net-zero features. It’s also expensive to transport modular housing to remote locations because of the processes used. Standard modular homes are put together in the factory and shipped already assembled. However, this often makes the transports oversized, which requires paid accompaniment and makes it difficult to navigate over narrow remote roads.

The CABN Foundation envisions a future wherein these inefficiencies are mitigated through standard-sized shipping, integrated building design, optimized energy profiles, and onsite assembly. With large scale government support and the preapproval of housing designs the standardized component housing approach could reduce time and increase housing capacity if red tape matched the vision. This vision maintains the affordability of standard modular homes, while offering better distribution in remote locations, regions which often have a demonstrated need for innovative, energy efficient housing solutions.

CABN Foundation’s for-profit-arm creates that future through net-zero, sustainable construction that can be delivered anywhere, meeting and exceeding typical building standards for energy efficiency performance. We urge the Ministry and other commenters to review solutions that maximize energy efficiencies, introduce sustainable innovation, and provide meaningful housing strategies that optimize the environmental and regional considerations of rural and northern communities. Innovative housing solutions to provide fast affordable housing need matching government support in the speed of the permitting processes and approvals. We have attached our technical overview document, which highlights how the application of renewable energy, non-invasive technology, biophilic design, and efficient mechanical systems is the solution for diverse housing needs throughout Ontario and the rest of the country, while maintaining affordability.