Canada’s search for sustainable, low-carbon housing solutions is driving a new wave of innovation—one that involves giving demolished homes a second life.
A growing model led by Renewal Development is turning houses slated for teardown into urgently needed homes for Indigenous communities across British Columbia.
Speaking with BNN Bloomberg, Glyn Lewis, CEO of Renewal Development, explained how thousands of strong, structurally sound single-family homes are demolished yearly to make way for denser development in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria.
Instead of sending these buildings to landfills, his team salvages them, refurbishes them and relocates them to rural First Nations facing decades-long housing shortages.
Lewis noted that the approach blends affordability, speed and sustainability, making it especially important for remote communities that lack construction supplies, trades or accessible transportation. He stressed that moving a ready-made home is 20 to 40 percent more cost-effective than building new units or importing modular homes.
The relocation process is complex but well-established. Teams assess each building, reinforce its structure with steel beams and jacking systems, attach dollies, and move the home through urban streets before loading it onto a barge. From there, the homes travel along the coast to communities that urgently need housing and community facilities.
According to Lewis, the strategy aligns strongly with federal goals to expand housing supply, strengthen Indigenous-led development and reduce carbon emissions. “There’s an incredible supply of good homes being torn down, and an incredible need for climate-resilient housing. Our work bridges both,” he said.
Renewal Development operates as a for-profit organization with a triple-bottom-line mandate—economic sustainability, social impact and Indigenous partnership. Many of the company’s projects are led jointly with First Nations governments, ensuring that housing solutions reflect local priorities.
The company’s work also mirrors international models. Auckland, New Zealand, moves more than 1,500 homes annually using similar methods, offering a blueprint for large-scale expansion across Canada.
Lewis added that the momentum behind repurposed housing is growing quickly as governments and industry recognize its potential to reduce waste, cut emissions and accelerate housing delivery nationwide.
