This guide was co-authored by ReHousing and Ha/f Climate Design and funded by the Neptis Foundation
The Low Carbon Guide for Multiplex Conversions was created as an accessible starting point for non-professionals. It offers practical guidance for balancing cost, performance, and carbon impact with a focus on making informed choices about construction materials and building systems like heating and cooling.
Authored by Jens von Bergmann and Nathan Lauster (MountainMath and UBC Sociology), this report explores what zoning might look like if it responded directly to underlying demand for housing — rather than restricting development through outdated low-density rules. Using Vancouver as a case study, the authors model how floor space ratios (FSRs) could be set to meet demand, reduce exclusion, and slow the costly “teardown cycle” that accelerates carbon emissions.
The paper highlights how zoning far below demand not only limits who can live in desirable areas, but also undermines long-term housing resilience. Recommendations call for forward-looking zoning that adapts to changing needs, expands supply, and supports climate goals.
Read how demand-based zoning could reshape housing policy for a more equitable, sustainable future.
Keywords: demand-based zoning; gentle density housing; zoning reform; floor space ratio; Vancouver housing policy; housing demand modelling; exclusionary zoning; teardown cycle; climate impact of zoning; MountainMath
Unlocking the Missing Middle: Harvard’s Three-Part Housing Series
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard is exploring how “missing middle” housing — the scale between single-family homes and mid-rise apartments — can help address the affordable housing crisis in Massachusetts and across the US. Ideal for urban and suburban infill, these housing types offer flexibility across life stages, budgets, and preferences, but face significant zoning, financing, and cultural barriers.
Part 1, Surveying Missing Middle Housing—Trends in the United States and Massachusetts, examines what these housing forms are, where they’re built, and the major obstacles and opportunities ahead.
The final part of the series will identify additional strategies and resources beyond zoning and regulatory policy—including financing, advocacy, construction innovation, and test fits—that are necessary for a robust middle housing market. Stay tuned for more on this.
Explore how research, policy, and practical supports can unlock diverse, affordable housing options.
Keywords: missing middle housing; gentle density housing; housing policy solutions; affordable housing United States; Massachusetts housing trends; urban infill housing; small-scale multi-unit housing; zoning reform; housing development barriers; Joint Center for Housing Studies Harvard
New Poll: British Columbians Back Gentle Density – But Want More Action
A year on from BC’s landmark Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation, new independent polling commissioned by Small Housing shows that British Columbians are clear: they want practical, family-friendly housing options in their neighbourhoods — and they want governments to keep pushing forward.
What People Told Us
Unlocking the Potential
The appetite is there — but barriers still stand in the way. Our research highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what’s needed next to make gentle density a real solution for affordability across BC’s neighbourhoods.
Explore the Findings
Get the full picture in our survey snapshot. See what British Columbians really think, where the gaps are, and how we can keep the momentum going — together.
Keywords:
gentle density, small-scale multi-unit housing, SSMUH, Bill 44 BC, BC housing affordability, laneway homes BC, secondary suites BC, multiplex housing BC, Leger housing poll, housing survey British Columbia, standardized housing designs BC, homeowner developers BC, affordable housing solutions BC, Small Housing BC, gentle density survey results, BC gentle density research
Sightline Institute – Housing Messaging Resource
This online resource from Sightline is a go-to guide for anyone communicating about housing reform. Drawing on years of field-tested research, it offers practical messaging guides, short educational videos, and key “dos and don’ts” to help advocates, policymakers, and community leaders talk about new housing options in ways that resonate. Whether you’re writing a campaign, speaking with media, or just trying to shift the narrative in your community, this toolkit helps frame the conversation for real-world impact.
Do you have any resources to share?
Do you have materials or resources that can advance collective understanding and action on gentle density housing? Share them here, for review by our project team.
Discover why taxes and fees on new homes are driving up housing costs—and what we can do about it.
Small Housing is proud to partner with About Here on a compelling new video explainer: The Housing Tax Crisis. This short, engaging video sheds light on one of the least understood drivers of rising housing costs—development charges, fees, and taxes on new housing.
In cities like Vancouver, these costs can account for up to 20% of the price of a newly built home. Often referred to as “development fees,” these charges go beyond infrastructure—they frequently fund public art, parks, and amenities that may not directly support new housing supply.
Gentle density housing, including laneway homes, multiplexes, and infill projects, is being hit hardest. These are the exact types of housing our cities need to address the housing affordability crisis.
This video unpacks:
Whether you’re a homeowner-developer, city planner, or housing advocate, this explainer offers essential insights into how our financing system can better support attainable, ground-oriented homes in our neighbourhoods.
Rethinking Housing: Exploring the Missing Middle
What stands between single-family homes and high-rise towers? The Missing Middle—a diverse mix of housing types that can meet the needs of households across incomes, ages, and sizes.
As part of CMHC’s Housing Supply Challenge, the University of Toronto’s School of Cities worked with 18 housing innovators across Canada to uncover what’s holding back gentle density—and how to scale it up. Their research, led by Dr. Carolyn Whitzman, dives into everything from accessory dwelling units and modular construction to zoning reform and financing tools that can unlock small-scale, affordable housing.
Case studies from Edmonton, Kelowna, and Kitchener highlight real-world approaches to enabling change. This resource also outlines practical policy levers, from ending exclusionary zoning to modernizing codes and simplifying approvals.
The webpage and tools are designed to spark ideas and support early-stage planning. Readers are encouraged to consult local policies and experts before applying these strategies in their own communities.
Unlock New Space at Home: Burlington’s Garage Conversion Toolkit
Thinking about converting your garage into a livable suite? The City of Burlington’s Garage Conversion Toolkit can help you explore what’s possible—whether you’re creating a comfortable space for a family member or planning to rent it out as a secondary unit.
Designed to spark ideas and support early planning, the toolkit features sample layouts for one- and two-bedroom units, an accessible design option, and a Supply List with estimated costs. It also outlines key considerations like zoning, permits, and construction steps—tailored to Burlington’s local context.
While the toolkit is a great starting point for inspiration, always consult your local municipality or a qualified professional to ensure your project aligns with regulations in your area.
Download the toolkit and take the first step toward making the most of your garage.
More housing, faster — and with less guesswork! 🏘️
CMHC’s new Housing Design Catalogue is a step forward in making gentle density housing easier to build across Canada.
This free resource features ready-to-go designs for row-houses, fourplexes, sixplexes, and accessory dwelling units—designed to work in different regions across the country. This information offers a head start for homeowners, builders and municipalities in their planning processes.
Why does this matter?
✅ It can help reduce design costs and speed up construction.
✅ It supports smaller builders and homeowner-developers who might not have easy access to design expertise.
✅ It helps communities add gentle density in ways that fit existing neighbourhoods.
The full architectural packages will be available this spring—and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how this can support projects right here in BC.
Check out the Catalogue today!
Unlocking the Missing Middle: Proven Practices for Affordable, Higher-Density Housing
The School of Cities, University of Toronto, presents a comprehensive report on enabling “Missing Middle” (MM) housing development—a key solution to Canada’s housing affordability and density challenges. This report explores proven and promising practices from Canada, the U.S., and New Zealand, offering actionable insights to overcome barriers and enhance reforms for MM housing.
MM housing bridges the gap between single-family homes and high-rise buildings, encompassing:
Designed for households earning 51–120% of the area median household income (AMHI), MM also includes affordable options for low-income households through ADUs, rooming houses, and nonmarket housing. MM housing was once a staple of North American cities, offering compact, diverse housing types in central, well-serviced locations before exclusionary zoning and gentrification limited its availability.
The benefits of MM housing are transformative:
The report outlines barriers to MM development—legislative, administrative, and financial—and identifies enablers to support its growth. Drawing from case studies in Auckland and other cities, it demonstrates how increasing MM housing supply can reduce housing costs and improve access for low-income tenants.
