Rethinking What’s Slowing Us Down: Factory-Built Housing, Spring Thaw Rules, and Ontario’s Housing Crisis
Every so often as a REALTOR®, I talk to people who are ready to give up on the dream of homeownership. First-time buyers, young families, newcomers to Canada—they’re all saying the same thing: “I just don’t see how I’ll ever afford a home in Ontario.”
I don’t blame them.
Home prices have far outpaced incomes. Construction delays and red tape are choking supply. And while demand keeps growing, the number of homes being built simply isn’t keeping up.
That’s why I’m proud to support the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA)’s recent advocacy:
👉 “Building More, Building Faster”—a practical, Ontario-made plan to unlock more homes by using factory-built (also known as modular or prefab) housing.
🧱 So, What Is Factory-Built Housing?
Factory-built housing refers to homes (or parts of homes) constructed in a controlled factory setting, then delivered to the site and assembled quickly. These are not trailers or temporary shelters—they’re high-quality, CSA-certified homes that meet or exceed Ontario Building Code standards.
They can look just like any other home on the street. In fact, many modular homes are being used in places like Toronto, London, and Peterborough for affordable housing, student residences, and even seniors’ communities.
And best of all? They can be built up to 50% faster than traditional homes. Source: OREA
❄️ The Problem You’ve Probably Never Heard Of: “Spring Thaw” Rules
One of the biggest (and strangest) obstacles to building more homes quickly in Ontario is a regulation called the spring thaw truckload restriction.
Every spring, from March to May, Ontario restricts how much weight trucks can carry on certain roads. The idea is to protect roads from damage while they’re soft from melting snow.
For most industries, this makes sense. But for factory-built homes, which are delivered in large, heavy modules, it can mean a 3-month pause in construction and delivery.
OREA is calling on the government to modernize these rules, recognizing that prefab home deliveries are not the same as repeated heavy loads. If we’re serious about housing supply, we need policies that reflect how homes are actually built today.
🚫 The Other Challenge: NIMBYism
Let’s talk about the “Not In My Backyard” mindset.
As a REALTOR®, I hear concerns when people find out that a modular or prefabricated housing project is coming near their home:
- “Will this lower my property value?”
- “Is it going to look cheap?”
- “Is it safe?”
Let me be clear: these fears are outdated.
Modern prefab homes are: ✅ Structurally sound
✅ Energy-efficient
✅ Visually indistinguishable from traditionally built homes
They’re also a lifeline for families who are being priced out of the market.
OREA is advocating for public education and clearer building standards so that these homes aren’t unfairly blocked by outdated zoning laws or misunderstandings at the municipal level.
🔑 OREA’s 5 Policy Solutions That Just Make Sense
Here’s what OREA is asking the government to do:
- Create a province-wide definition of factory-built housing so all stakeholders—municipalities, lenders, and insurers—are on the same page.
- Lead collaboration across Canada to standardize prefab building codes and materials.
- Cut red tape at the municipal level, fast-tracking permit approvals and eliminating unfair zoning rules.
- Launch public-private partnerships to build 5,000–10,000 factory-built homes each year.
- Exempt prefab home deliveries from spring thaw trucking limits—because one truck should not hold back thousands of homes.
💬 Why I’m Speaking Up
We can’t keep saying we care about affordability if we continue blocking the very things that would make homes more affordable.
As an Ontario REALTOR®, I’ve seen the heartbreak of buyers who lose bidding wars over and over again. I’ve seen seniors unable to downsize because of a lack of accessible housing. I’ve watched younger generations wonder if owning a home in this province is even possible.
Factory-built homes are not a silver bullet, but they’re a smart, scalable solution—and we should support them.
👏 Let’s Choose Progress Over Perception
If you’re a homeowner concerned about your neighborhood—know that these homes are well-designed, safe, and beneficial for everyone.
If you’re frustrated with the housing market—know that real, meaningful advocacy like this is happening behind the scenes.
OREA is doing the hard work to push policy forward, and they need our voices too.
Let’s welcome smart, fast, high-quality housing solutions that:
- Lower costs
- Create jobs
- Respect communities
- And get people into homes faster
Let’s stop blocking progress—and start building. Read more on OREA(BUILDING MORE, BUILDING FASTER) Have feedback or questions? Please drop an email to Opel Ou, Real Estate Broker: opel@opelou.com
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