Canada needs more homes, faster. Traditional construction methods are struggling to keep up with demand, especially in fast-growing regions like British Columbia. The Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) was created to address this gap by funding new ways to design, manufacture, and build housing at scale.
Under PacifiCan’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation stream, RHII supports housing innovation in Western Canada by helping businesses and organizations adopt advanced construction methods that increase supply, productivity, and resilience.
RHII is a federal funding program that supports innovative homebuilding approaches. The Government of Canada committed $50 million over two years starting in 2024–2025 to launch RHII across regional development agencies, including PacifiCan in British Columbia.
In the Pacific region, RHII focuses on projects that:
RHII is highly relevant for builders, manufacturers, and housing innovators. It supports those working on faster ways to deliver homes. It is also valuable for groups aiming to reduce the cost of home construction.
RHII has broad eligibility compared to many construction programs. Under PacifiCan, eligible applicants include:
Projects must be based in British Columbia to qualify under PacifiCan’s RHII delivery.
RHII funding is not for traditional residential developments. It is designed for projects that change how homes are built.
Funded activities can include:
For example, a manufacturer scaling a modular housing line or a builder piloting automated panel production could be a strong fit.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly filter RHII and similar housing innovation programs by province and organization type.
RHII funding amounts are project-based and assessed individually.
Key funding details include:
PacifiCan does not publish a fixed maximum per project. This means strong proposals with regional impact can access meaningful support.
RHII directly supports the federal Housing Plan by focusing on speed, scale, and innovation.
By funding off-site manufacturing, automation, and new construction techniques, RHII helps:
This approach is especially important in regions where skilled trades and available land limit traditional development.
Applying with a standard housing development
RHII is not for building conventional single-site housing projects. Your project must involve innovation in construction or manufacturing.
Ignoring manufacturing efficiency
Projects that only focus on design, without improving production or scalability, are less competitive.
Weak regional impact explanation
PacifiCan looks for clear benefits to British Columbia’s housing ecosystem, not just your organization.
Underestimating project readiness
RHII favours projects that are ready to launch and scale, not early-stage concepts without pilots or partners.
Q: Is RHII funding repayable?
In most cases, RHII provides non-repayable contributions, especially for not-for-profits and innovation-focused projects.
Q: Can non-profits and post-secondary institutions apply?
Yes. Sector organizations, colleges, and universities are eligible, either as lead applicants or partners.
Q: Does RHII cover equipment purchases?
Yes. Equipment that improves manufacturing efficiency or supports innovative homebuilding methods is an eligible cost.
Q: Is RHII only for modular housing?
No. Modular housing is a strong fit, but RHII also supports panelized systems, 3D printing, and net-zero construction approaches.
Q: Can municipalities apply directly?
Yes. Municipal and regional governments, including Crown corporations, are eligible under PacifiCan’s RHII stream.
After reviewing your options, GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.
RHII offers support for organizations working on modular, off-site, or advanced construction methods in British Columbia. To improve your chances, focus on projects that clearly boost housing supply, manufacturing efficiency, or regional impact. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare a project plan that highlights measurable benefits and readiness to deliver.
If you want to compare RHII with other federal and provincial programs, GrantHub can help you identify funding opportunities that best fit your innovation goals. Staying informed about requirements and deadlines will help your organization make the most of available resources.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.