What is BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region?

What makes your projects unique compared to other affordable housing initiatives?

BUILD NOW: Waterloo Region is an ambitious plan to provide innovative, affordable, and attainable market housing across Waterloo Region. Driven by a desire to address critical gaps in the housing market, the team behind BUILD NOW has created a sustainable model for the development of “missing-middle” homes through strategic partnerships and community collaboration with the private and public sectors as well as not-for-profit organizations.

BUILD NOW stands out for its focus on including affordable home ownership options including family sized homes. Strong community engagement, support from all sectors, and a plan to keep this housing affordable long into the future makes this work one of a kind.

Who is this housing for?

Our goal is to create diverse, inclusive communities. We expect homes to support a range of incomes and household sizes – from seniors and single parents to young professionals and multigenerational families. This housing is for families and individuals who are priced out of the market. Our targets are middle-income earners, those who earn too much for subsidies but can’t afford market prices, with a focus on ownership housing.

What safeguards are in place to ensure the homes remain affordable over time?

Drawing on years of experience from Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region and their proven tools, we will keep ownership housing affordable. Resale prices will be relative to purchase price mean the homes stay affordable even after resale. By requiring future buyers to also meet specific eligibility criteria, our approach helps homeowners build security and equity, while preventing investment property purchases and profit-driven resales that drive up prices.

Partner not-for-profits, co-operatives, and charities will take ownership of the rental units. By placing the rental stock in the hands of these trusted partners, we will ensure that rents remain affordable now and in the future. This fits with our rental partners own core missions to serve the community.

What are the total number of homes being built?

The program aims to build over 10,000 new homes in low- to mid-rise buildings, what’s known as “missing middle” housing, with a diverse mix of studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom, family-friendly units.

We are currently building 60 affordable ownership homes at 14 Holborn Court in Kitchener, offering a mix of one- and three-bedroom homes.

Planning is also underway for our 2025 University Avenue East development. We are excited to confirm 85 affordable rental homes being developed in partnership with Union Community Housing that have just began construction, with more homes and announcements to come.

Will the homes you are building be single detached or a condo style of living?

Our developments intend to balance the need for more homes to meet our housing needs and designs that creates a truly livable community. There will be a mix of sizes, condo ownership, and rental, but no single detached homes.

Getting a BUILD NOW Home

When do houses go on sale? Can I get on a list?

Construction for both the Holborn Court and University Avenue East sites is set to begin in 2026. We anticipate the first homes will be available for purchase in mid- to late- 2028.

Buyers will work with a Realtor of their choice throughout the purchasing process.

We are not maintaining a list of interested buyers.

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes looks. We’ll be sharing any news related to home sales there in real time.

I signed up for the newsletter a while ago but I haven’t received anything. Did I miss it?

To view past editions of our newsletter, please click the links below:

• February 25, 2026
• July 15, 2026

Who is eligible to purchase one of these homes?

As we continue finalizing the criteria to purchase one of our homes, the following will serve as our starting point:

• The owner must be 18 years of age at the time of purchase.
• The home will be used as a primary residence and the owner will occupy the unit, and will not use it as an investment property.
• No member of the household may currently own, or have owned within the past five years, any real estate in Canada or abroad.

What will the homes for ownership cost?
What will the homes for rent cost each month?

Prices for ownership will range based on the number of bedrooms, square footage, future material costs, and how many more partners we can bring in to lower our costs. What we’re sure of, with all the cost and profit we’ve been able to strip out, these will be some of the most affordable homes on the market.

The price for rent will range depending on the not-for-profit housing operator and how they operate their particular program. They are experts in this and we’re excited to support them in their work to bring affordable rental options to the community.

What will be the mortgage and down payment structure?

Buyers will obtain a mortgage from a bank or lender of their choice. The chosen lender will set the mortgage terms. When it comes to down payments, that will be handled entirely through your chosen bank or lender.

If I’m on the Region’s affordable housing waitlist, will I be considered for these homes?

For affordable homeownership opportunities, buyers are not selected from the Region’s affordable housing waitlist. If you’re interested in purchasing a home, you’ll work directly with a Realtor and follow the standard purchase process.

For the rental homes, eligibility and tenant selection will be determined by the specific not-for-profit housing operator based on their own programs and policies. Whether the Region’s affordable housing waitlist is used will be at the not-for-profit housing operator’s discretion.

I’m a current homeowner but I am on a fixed income. Can I still qualify for an affordable ownership home through this program?

You would not qualify for a BUILD NOW home. One of the eligibility requirements is that applicants cannot own any property or land. The program is designed to create opportunities for individuals and families who do not own property and have been priced out of the housing market.

Employment

Are there employment or volunteer opportunities available with your organization?

At this time, there are no vacancies available on our team, and we do not currently offer volunteer positions. Any future employment opportunities will be posted on our social media accounts as they become available.

For volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, please visit their website.

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^{Note: Due to the high volume of inquiries we receive, we’re unable to respond to questions that are already addressed in the FAQs above. We appreciate your understanding.}