BC’s municipal elections are on October 17, and housing is on the ballot. Your local council controls what happens above the provincial baseline: how fast permits move, how much builders pay in fees, what parking and design rules apply, and whether the municipality partners with non-profits to deliver affordable homes. These decisions shape what actually gets built in your community, how much it costs, and who can afford to stay. This voter guide, developed by Small Housing and Strong Towns, gives residents ready-to-use questions to ask candidates at all-candidates meetings, on the doorstep, or by email. Topics range from permitting timelines and standardized designs to infrastructure costs and support for regular homeowners, local builders, and non-profits trying to add housing. Each question includes a short explanation of why it matters.
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might look like if it responded directly to underlying demand for housing — rather than restricting development through outdated low-density rules.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.
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
80% say the Province should do more to restore housing affordability — with nearly half saying it should do a lot more.
83% support gentle density solutions like laneway houses, small multiplexes, and suites.
42% of homeowners with the right property would add a secondary unit if the process were simpler and cheaper.
Yet most British Columbians (57%) have never heard of the Province’s standardized designs for small-scale housing — showing there’s still work to do to turn policy into real homes.
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.
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CMHC’s latest report marks an important shift in how Canada understands and measures housing need. By focusing on restoring 2019-level affordability by 2035 and introducing a rolling 10-year planning horizon, the report provides a more grounded and practical view of the housing supply challenge.
It also outlines the scale of what’s required: nearly doubling annual housing starts, with a significant portion of that supply needed in the ownership market. These insights offer valuable context for anyone working to increase housing options within existing neighbourhoods—including through small-scale and homeowner-led development.
We encourage all Toolbox users to explore the report and understand the updated figures. It provides a timely and data-rich foundation for shaping local housing strategies.
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:
Why these charges exist and how they’re calculated
The impact on small-scale housing development
How we can reform the system to be more fair, transparent, and effective
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.
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.
Vous songez à offrir davantage d’options de logement à votre communauté ? Les Considérations réglementaires relatives à la densification douce – élaborées par Small Housing et la SCHL – est votre feuille de route pour y parvenir.
Cette ressource présente l’histoire de l’habitat à densification douce et propose des mesures aux communautés locales, aux urbanistes, aux élus et aux défenseurs du logement. Qu’il s’agisse d’entamer la conversation ou d’affiner les politiques, ce guide offre des conseils clairs et pratiques pour aider à façonner des quartiers plus inclusifs et plus agréables à vivre.
Qu’y a-t-il à l’intérieur ?
Qu’est-ce que la densification douce ? Découvrez comment les communautés définissent et mettent en œuvre ce type d’habitation à petite taille.
Stratégies d’engagement communautaire – Obtenez des outils pour entamer des conversations productives et répondre à des préoccupations communes.
Plan de travail étape par étape – Suivez une approche structurée pour évaluer les besoins en logement et planifier une densification douce.
Modèles de statuts et meilleures pratiques – Découvrez des exemples et des modèles de politiques pour simplifier votre processus.
Ressources supplémentaires et études de cas – Découvrez comment différentes municipalités font de la densification douce une réalité.
Pourquoi ce guide ?
Pratique et actionnable – Conçue pour aider les communautés locales à mettre en œuvre le changement dès maintenant.
Centré sur la communauté – Il s’agit de rendre le logement plus accessible sans perturber le caractère du quartier.
Facile à utiliser – Un format structuré, étape par étape, vous permet de vous y plonger à n’importe quel stade de votre parcours..
Prêt à passer à l’étape suivante ?
Téléchargez le guide pour commencer à façonner l’avenir de votre communauté dès aujourd’hui !
Thinking about bringing more housing options to your community? The Gentle Density Bylaw Guide—developed by Small Housing and CMHC—is your roadmap to making it happen.
This resource captures the “story so far” of gentle density housing and provides actionable steps for local governments, planners, elected officials, and housing advocates. Whether you’re just starting the conversation or refining policies, this guide offers clear, practical advice to help shape more inclusive, livable neighborhoods.
What’s Inside?
What is Gentle Density? Learn how communities define and implement small-scale, multi-unit housing.
Community Engagement Strategies – Get tools to start productive conversations and address common concerns.
Step-by-Step Workplan – Follow a structured approach to assess housing needs and plan for gentle density.
Model Bylaws & Best Practices – Explore real-world examples and policy templates to simplify your process.
Additional Resources & Case Studies – See how different municipalities are making gentle density a reality.
Why This Guide?
Practical & Actionable – Designed to help local governments implement change now.
Community-Centered – Focused on making housing more accessible without disrupting neighborhood character.
Easy to Use – A structured, step-by-step format means you can dive in at any stage of your journey.
