Case Studies & Stories of Practice

Nestled near the Elders Centre in the Tl’etinqox Community, six cabin-like homes are placed to form a circle to represent the four sacred directions, the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of life and more, and to encourage community gathering.

Tl’etinqox began to develop Elders Cabins in 2019 to honour the intentions, prayers, and needs of their Elders by providing safe and affordable living spaces for them to age in place, at the heart of the community. Elder tenancy applications opened for the cabins in September 2020.

Single Egress Stairs: Unlocking Missing Middle Housing Potential

The National Building Code’s two-egress requirement, introduced in the 1940s, limits the design and cost-efficiency of “missing middle” housing. Modern fire safety technology — from sprinklers to fire-rated materials — means single-egress wood-frame buildings can now match or exceed the safety of older two-egress designs.

This case study examines the growing movement to update the NBC, spotlighting efforts by LGA Architectural Partners and David Hine Engineering to permit single-egress residential buildings up to six storeys.

Read how code reform could open new pathways for affordable, small-scale multi-unit homes.

Keywords: Single egress stairs; National Building Code Canada; NBC building code reform; Missing middle housing; Small-scale multi-unit housing; Affordable housing design solutions; Low-rise apartment safety; Fire safety building codes Canada; Gentle density housing; Wood-frame multi-unit buildings

Edmonton’s Fire Flow Assessments: Cutting Costs for Infill Development
In older Edmonton neighbourhoods, redevelopment was often tied to costly infrastructure upgrades — especially for fire flow capacity. But density and fire flows aren’t always linked, and mandatory upgrades can become a major barrier to building new infill homes.

This case study highlights Edmonton’s innovative site-by-site fire flow assessment, which determines whether upgrades are truly needed. In many cases, the result is significant avoided costs without compromising safety.

Learn how targeted infrastructure assessments can unlock more cost-effective gentle density housing.

Keywords: Edmonton infill development; fire flow assessment; infrastructure cost savings; gentle density housing; small-scale multi-unit housing; building code and fire safety; urban redevelopment Edmonton; affordable housing solutions; site-specific infrastructure assessment; missing middle housing

New Westminster’s Infill Housing Program: Expanding Ground-Oriented Housing Options

Since 1998, New Westminster has permitted secondary suites in all single-family zones. By 2017, demographic analysis revealed a major gap in ground-oriented, family-friendly housing — prompting community conversations and strong support for laneway houses, townhouses, and rowhouses.

While updating its Official Community Plan, the City launched Phase One of the Infill Housing Program, enabling laneway and carriage houses in most single-family zones. This case study explores the program’s origins, the key actors behind it, and lessons learned along the way.

Discover how targeted zoning changes can meet family housing needs without high-rises.

Keywords: New Westminster infill housing; gentle density housing; laneway houses; carriage houses; townhouses; rowhouses; family-friendly housing; small-scale multi-unit housing; missing middle housing; OCP housing policy

Kelowna’s Infill Housing Program: Removing Zoning Barriers to Boost Housing Supply
As one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, Kelowna has made infill housing a core part of its growth strategy, supporting the housing goals in its 2040 Official Community Plan.

Historically, restrictive zoning limited new housing supply. The City is tackling this by expanding permissions, unlocking land, and streamlining approvals to enable faster development. Highlights include the Infill Design Challenge Competitions in 2015–16 and 2021, which promoted innovative and diverse housing forms.

Explore how zoning reform and design competitions are shaping Kelowna’s gentle density future.

Keywords: Kelowna infill housing; gentle density housing; zoning reform; small-scale multi-unit housing; housing supply solutions; infill design challenge; affordable housing Kelowna; OCP housing policy; missing middle housing; streamlined development approvals

Gibsons’ Expanding Housing Policies: From Secondary Suites to Garden Suites
Since 2008, the Town of Gibsons has allowed secondary suites in all single-family dwellings, setting an early example of flexible, forward-thinking housing policy.

Over time, these permissions have expanded — in 2020 to include duplexes, townhouses, and lock-off suites in apartments. Garden suite regulations, introduced in 2015, are now under review for possible expansion through community engagement and planning.

See how Gibsons is evolving its zoning to create more diverse, gentle density housing options.

Keywords: Gibsons housing policy; gentle density housing; secondary suites; duplexes; townhouses; lock-off suites; garden suites; small-scale multi-unit housing; zoning reform; affordable housing solutions

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South Bend’s New Neighborhood Homes Initiative: Revitalizing Vacant Lots with Infill Housing
With nearly 400 vacant lots in the Near Northwest Neighbourhood alone, South Bend set out to address housing shortages while breathing new life into its communities.

Launched in 2022, the New Neighborhood Homes Initiative focuses on building affordable, well-designed infill housing on vacant land, aligning with shifting demographics toward smaller households and walkable neighbourhoods.

Explore how South Bend is using targeted infill strategies to expand housing choice and strengthen neighbourhood vitality.

Keywords: South Bend housing initiative; gentle density housing; infill housing; vacant lot redevelopment; affordable housing South Bend; small-scale multi-unit housing; walkable neighbourhoods; housing market trends; neighbourhood revitalization; missing middle housing

California ADU Reform: Removing Barriers to Small-Scale, Affordable Housing
California faces one of the most severe housing shortages in the United States. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — small, attached or detached homes on the same lot — offer a promising solution, yet local restrictions long limited their development.

This case study explores the Casita Coalition’s successful advocacy for legislation that removes key ADU barriers, giving cities the option to allow ADU sales. Passed in fall 2023, the law takes effect in 2024, opening new opportunities for affordable, small-scale housing.

See how policy reform is unlocking ADU potential across California.

Keywords: California ADU reform; accessory dwelling units; gentle density housing; affordable housing California; Casita Coalition; ADU policy change; small-scale multi-unit housing; housing shortage solutions; missing middle housing; ADU sales legislation

Encinitas ADU Policies: Expanding Housing Supply Through Infill Development
In land-constrained Encinitas, meeting demand for diverse and affordable housing is a growing challenge. With limited undeveloped land, the city is turning to infill housing — especially accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — to boost supply and offer more housing choices.

This case study examines how state-level reforms and local ordinances are working together to encourage ADU construction, helping address high housing prices and rents while diversifying housing types.

Explore how Encinitas is using ADU-friendly policies to meet housing needs.

Keywords: Encinitas ADU policy; accessory dwelling units; gentle density housing; affordable housing Encinitas; ADU construction incentives; small-scale multi-unit housing; infill housing solutions; housing supply California; missing middle housing; ADU ordinances

North Vancouver’s Zoning Overhaul: Streamlining Approvals for Gentle Density
With a 10% population increase between 2016 and 2021, the City of North Vancouver faces mounting housing supply challenges. In response, the City has expanded gentle density options, allowing secondary suites in single-family and duplex zones, and coach houses in most single-family zones.

As demand for rezonings grows, staff and Council are exploring solutions through a 2023 Zoning Bylaw overhaul, including creating better base zones or pre-zoning to speed approvals.

See how zoning reform can help meet demand for gentle density housing in high-growth communities.

Keywords: North Vancouver zoning reform; gentle density housing; secondary suites; coach houses; small-scale multi-unit housing; housing supply solutions; pre-zoning; rezoning process; affordable housing North Vancouver; zoning bylaw overhaul