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The City of Yellowknife has partnered with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to promote the Housing Design Catalogue – one of several initiatives to improve housing affordability for Yellowknifers. The Catalogue provides adaptable design options for homeowners and builders to meet a variety of housing needs, helping to reduce upfront development costs and deliver designs tailored to our northern community.

"Canada’s new government is stepping up with a bold new approach to increase the supply of housing in Canada, and with today’s release of the Housing Design Catalogue’s full technical designs, we are taking another important step to empower local builders to get shovels in the ground. By drawing on the expertise of Canadian architects, engineers, and designers - and collaborating closely with other orders of government - we are cutting red tape and helping to speed up approvals.” – The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

The designs that are available for use in Yellowknife include options for Accessory Dwelling Unit – Municipal, Accessory Dwelling Unit – Tanked, Rowhouse – Municipal (which can be used as a duplex), Fourplex – Municipal, and Sixplex – Municipal. The designs were created by northern architecture and engineering professionals to be adaptable to various accessibility needs, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient. They are cost-effective through standardization, responsive to regional climate zones, housing needs, and construction methods, and fully compliant with local codes and regulations.

The Catalogue designs are code compliant and ‘near permit-ready’. As such, minimal modifications are required to prepare permit-ready drawings. A ‘qualified professional’ (for example a licensed designer with BCIN number or architect) is needed to finalize a ‘Complete Design’, ensuring the design is adapted to your unique site conditions. For more information, please refer to the catalogue.

If the public wishes to learn more about the process and steps, please visit our website, contact us by email at  malam@yellowknife.ca, or in-person at City Hall.