Housing and Municipal Affairs
Summary
- BC Housing is seeking construction manager-manufacturer teams for the first two housing projects using the Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) program tools to cut the time needed for building approvals
- The housing will include approximately 40 affordable rental homes in Prince George, and 50 spaces of women’s transitional housing in Abbotsford.
- DASH showcases a cutting-edge approach using modern building methods, like prefabricated parts and standardized designs, to speed up the development process and reduce expenses
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People will get the homes they need faster as the Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) program moves from concept to action less than three months after its public launch.
“Putting this made-in-B.C. innovation into action is helping us transform the way homes are built in B.C. and more quickly deliver the homes people need,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “With this housing, women and children fleeing violence will have faster access to safe places to stay and rebuild their lives, and people will be able to walk through the doors of their new, affordable rental homes even sooner.”
Two developments provide 90 homes
The Province, through BC Housing, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the first two demonstration projects to be designed and built using DASH.
BC Housing is looking for proposals from teams of general contractors and manufacturers who will work together to design and build the projects using prefabricated materials.
BC Housing expects to issue RFPs for two additional DASH projects in the months ahead. With these early developments, BC Housing is testing the DASH tools and the homebuilding industry’s readiness to implement them and transform the way B.C. delivers housing.
About DASH
- DASH is a new online platform that is helping developers and non-profits design and build three- to six-storey buildings more quickly, with components manufactured in B.C.
- By using digital review, standardized designs and prefabricated building parts, DASH is expected to cut the development process from three years to one.
- DASH, which launched publicly in November 2025, has been recognized nationally for cutting red tape in the development process.
Innovation is a cornerstone of the Homes for People Plan, through which the Province has more than 95,000 homes delivered or underway across B.C. since 2017.
Quotes:
Vincent Tong, CEO, BC Housing –
“BC Housing’s DASH program shows how collaboration with municipal and industry partners can result in cutting-edge innovation. DASH streamlines the development process for B.C. from concept to completion and can scale nationwide, helping bring more homes, faster.”
Sue Paish, CEO, DIGITAL –
“DIGITAL applauds the Province for implementing the DASH program. By bundling projects and integrating teams of construction managers and prefabricated housing manufacturers from the outset, DASH is taking a much-needed practical and efficient approach. This early alignment supports better planning for off-site manufacturing, reduces on-site delays, and helps move affordable housing projects from concept to construction faster – and deliver more homes for B.C families.”
Chris Hill, principal, Chris Hill Consulting –
“Construction costs are rising and skilled workers are harder to find, so building housing the same way is no longer working. This RFP brings construction managers and off-site manufacturers together early, so the people who build homes can work alongside those designing them. By aligning the full team from the start, DASH aims to reduces risk, improve efficiency and help deliver housing faster and more reliably.”
Quick Facts:
- The DASH platform includes a set of digital tools that are available at no cost to builders, developers and manufacturers all over B.C.
- DASH builds on B.C.’s leadership on digital permitting and construction, including work to digitize the BC Building Code and Building Permit Hub.
- This work is consistent with the objectives of Look West, a strategic plan to accelerate major projects, expand skills training and grow key sectors to strengthen B.C.’s economy, creating good jobs and opportunities for people and businesses, and benefiting all of Canada.
Learn More:
- For an explainer video about DASH, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRQfnPXSbLo - To explore the DASH platform, visit:
https://www.acceleratedhousing.ca/ - Learn how B.C. is working to deliver more homes for people:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/more-homes-for-people - Read the full Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada strategy here:
https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
