The federal government has announced it will invest up to $10 million in a series of research projects that explore specific, impactful ways to help Canada meet its housing and infrastructure needs.

From building a national housing data platform to studying the impacts of transit investments on low-income and racialized communities to combatting youth homelessness, the projects aim to generate innovative solutions to Canada’s housing and infrastructure challenges.

“These important projects will support innovative solutions that will help build more critical infrastructure and housing, faster across Canada,” said Housing Minister Sean Fraser.

For example, Queen’s University in Kingston is advancing studies of 3D concrete printing technology to build more durable housing and infrastructure by conducting large-scale proof-of-concept tests.

The Canadian Urban Institute will also receive $1.7 million for its Infill Housing for Canada’s Transit Corridors and Main Streets. The project proposes a new method of identifying under-utilized land to increase housing density along transit corridors, while considering environmental, fiscal, social, and equity factors in determining the most suitable locations for housing infill.

Also in Ontario, a $1.7-million project ked by Archangel Ventures Inc. aims to repurpose commercial office buildings into affordable, sustainable housing, focusing on low-carbon redevelopment and delivering economic feasibility studies.