Canada’s rental housing crisis demands bold, proven solutions. Between 1974 and 1981, the Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB) program used targeted tax incentives to spark a rental-construction boom, producing nearly 200,000 apartments nationwide. According to CMHC’s evaluation, MURB “mobilized private capital at scale, reduced early risk, and stabilized project economics.”
Today, the National Apartment Council says it’s time to bring it back – and to work collaboratively with federal leaders to design and deliver practical, modern solutions based on real-world experience.
“Private developers built 90 percent of Canada’s apartments,” says Derek Lobo, President of the National Apartment Council. “A modernized MURB would once again unleash private capital and deliver the rental homes Canadians urgently need.”
Applying the same ratio of apartments-per-capita achieved in the 1970s, a 21st-century MURB could deliver about 327,000 new rental units – roughly 36,000 per year – helping Canada close the gap toward the 430,000 annual housing starts economists say are required to restore balance.
The National Apartment Council’s proposal for a modernized MURB program calls for predictable, multi-year eligibility windows, integration with CMHC’s financing tools, and streamlined administration. The organization also recommends pairing MURB with a new Assisted Rental Program to ensure long-term viability in selected projects.
“Rental housing is essential infrastructure,” adds Lobo. “With clear federal leadership and private-sector speed, we can get more homes built – fast.”
More apartments mean lower rents and improved access to housing. The National Apartment Council notes that private developers, who have built the majority of Canada’s rental housing, can mobilize quickly when supported by effective policy tools such as tax incentives, financing flexibility, and streamlined approvals. A renewed MURB program would strengthen communities by stimulating job creation, improving affordability, and enhancing equity across the housing system. With thoughtful collaboration, the program could also include measures to ensure a share of new units remain affordable for middle-income Canadians.
This article is part of the National Apartment Council’s ongoing work to highlight practical solutions for Canada’s housing challenges. Learn more at nationalapartmentcouncil.ca.
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