For planners, enabling gentle density comes with unqiue challenges, depending on the size and context of the community. Small Housing is working alongside both small towns and big cities across Canada to help develop policies that support missing middle housing. Small Housing supports these communities by providing:
Housing Needs Assessments & Land Capacity Studies. What kinds of housing and land capacity studies will your community need over the next 20 years, and how can you accommodate this growth? We provide clear projections on future housing needs, gaps in current supply, and future housing targets for policies and programs. With our expertise in GIS analysis, we outline how much residential growth your community can accommodate, and highlight shortfalls to address.
Development Ecosystem Assessment. Is your local industry ready to build gentle density housing? Leveraging industry know-how can be an essential part of developing effective new policies and programs. We help you jumpstart industry by supporting builders, engaging with their partners, and providing you with real world data. Fewer silos, more collaboration.
Policy Development & Bylaw Bootcamps. How can we move from understanding housing needs to action? How do we move from bylaws to building? We have the expertise to help you fine-tune your policies and bylaws while removing barriers. The result? An environment where housing choice can grow.
Approvals Streamlining & Pre-Reviewed Designs. You know what builders love? Certainty. We conduct process analysis and give your team the tools to improve outcomes for both applicants and staff. We can also support the introduction of pre-reviewed designs and fast-track programs, from design selection to program launch.
Residential Construction Upskilling for Gentle Density. Gentle density is o en built by small-scale builders working locally. Our tailored training supports their transition into gentle density projects and offers high-performance building courses aligned with regional energy codes. Designed with industry needs in mind, our programs help builders thrive, while supporting local policy, economic, and climate goals.
Communications and Engagement. From council to community, bringing people along for the housing journey can be hard. We provide communications packages and comprehensive engagement services to get your messaging across and gather the input you need to make your programs succeed.
Since 2012, Small Housing has been a key advocate for gentle density, helping local governments embrace sustainable, community-focused housing solutions. Today, we are Canada's leading non-profit gentle density accelerator.
We work alongside architects, planning consultants, development professionals, industry leaders, financial institutions, and much more to turn gentle density housing ideas into reality.
We understand the challenges faced by planners and the industry, offering practical, actionable solutions that work. As an independent non-pforit, we offer neutral, evidence-based analysis grounded in years of on-the-ground research and collaboration. We focus on advancing practical, people-centered gentle density housing solutions that work for communities, policymakers, and planners alike.
Small Housing is the only non-profit gentle density accelerator who can bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and planners around the shared goals of advancing missing middle housing. By bridging diverse viewpoints, we provide planners with the unique opportunity to shape housing solutions that are practical and implementable.
We are committed to learning and engaging with First Nations, acknowledging our role on unceded lands and prioritizing meaningful collaboration.
