Moncton 
In the vast prairies, one might often come across catalogue houses built in the early 1900s, a unique feature of the region.
The concept of catalogue houses emerged due to the scarcity of quality lumber in prairie regions. Companies like Eatons in Winnipeg, Sears in the United States, United Grain Growers, and the Alladin company in Vancouver capitalized on this need, offering house kits complete with plans and building materials.
FYI: If you would like to go on a road trip to see historic catalogue houses, do a Catalogue House Drive Tour. This driving tour takes you by the catalogue houses between Empress and Oyen in Alberta.
A few decades later, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), formerly known as the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, also used this idea to speed up housing production post-World War II.
Between the 1950s and 1970s, CMHC published catalogues featuring various house designs, including architect-designed plans with blueprints available for purchase. This initiative was a significant part of the federal effort to enhance the construction sector’s capacity.
CMHC Small House Designs Catalogue Cover Page
As housing shortages and new construction prices soar, the federal government is exploring similar solutions to enhance housing quality and availability.
Sean Fraser, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, has announced the launch of a housing design catalogue initiative, set to commence in early January 2024. This program aims to standardize housing designs, primarily focusing on low-rise constructions initially.
It will also explore options for higher-density buildings, like mid-rise structures, and various building methods, including modular and prefabricated homes. The initiative intends to support municipalities, provinces, and territories in adopting similar catalogues and enhancing nationwide housing development.
This collaborative effort involves consultations with diverse partners and stakeholders across the housing sector, seeking their insights and expertise. The government’s goal is to expedite the delivery of homes, tapping into innovative construction methods.
“In order to build more homes faster, we need to change how we build homes in Canada. We are going to take the idea of a housing catalogue which we used the last time Canada faced a housing crisis, and bring it into the 21st century,” said Sean Fraser in a news release.
“This is going to help accelerate future developments, and tap into new and innovative construction methods that will make a real difference in building communities across Canada.”
