New institute at Laurentian University will support research and development of innovative housing solutions for the north

April 16, 2026

SUDBURY — The Ontario government is investing $589,226 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for Laurentian University in Sudbury to establish the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation. As part of its plan to protect Ontario, this funding will help drive innovative research and real-world applications to help build more sustainable housing in growing northern communities.

• “Built on innovation, a skilled workforce and research that will help communities grow, the north has a strong future,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment will support made-in-northern-Ontario housing solutions, ensuring our region remains a great place to live, work and study, while energizing local industries, creating good-paying jobs and driving economic opportunities.”

Laurentian University is using NOHFC funding to expand the McEwen School of Architecture’s workshop to establish the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation. The workshop will feature advanced fabrication equipment and robotic technologies that support the research and development of sustainable solutions tailored to address housing challenges in northern Ontario.

“Ontario’s researchers are driving critical innovation that build a stronger, more prosperous Ontario,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “The establishment of the Institute for Northern Housing Innovation will ensure that students at Laurentian University can keep developing hands-on solutions that will get more homes built in northern Ontario for decades to come.”

The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the north remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.

Quick Facts

• Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
• Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,000 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 12,500 jobs.

Quotes

“This investment provides wide-ranging advantages for northern Ontario and beyond. The Institute for Northern Housing Innovation will positively impact housing accessibility, forge new partnerships with industry and offer critical hands-on opportunities for our students. We are sincerely grateful to the NOHFC for their support of this vital initiative.”

– Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University 

Additional Resources

• The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.