For decades, housing in Canada has been built mostly by big developers. But new rules in many communities across our country now allow homeowners like you to create multi-unit housing on single-family lots. With the right guidance, you can turn your property into flexible, affordable housing (for family members, friends, or community members)—an approach that’s not just more equitable than for-profit development, but also completely achievable.
A homeowner developer is anyone who is looking to transform their home, whether its adding more housing to their property through a laneway home or secondary suite, or renovating their home to include more units, such as a duplex, triplex, or more. Instead of relying on big developers, homeownerdevelopers take the lead and typically partner with builders to create gentle density solutions that fit naturally into their communities. With the right support, homeowners can unlock new housing options, generate rental income, and help make their neighborhoods more inclusive and affordable.
Many individuals & families struggle to enter the housing market. For these buyers, smaller housing solutions are typically more affordable than traditional single family homes, while offering a practical path to home ownership and financial stability.
Those looking to downsize but stay in their neighbourhood can create smaller, more manageable units within their property, keeping them connected to their community. Less stairs, more garden parties!
Older generations may contribute the down payment, while younger generations help with the mortgage. This not only creates more affordable shared-housing solutions, but also keeps families closer together while keeping their independence and privacy.
Non-profit organizations that develop and manage affordable housing in local neighbourhoods. By adding small, multi-unit housing to existing neighborhoods, they can use land more efficiently, keep housing community-owned, and support inclusive, mixed-income communities. This approach fosters long-term affordability, stability, and stronger neighborhoods.
Homeowners who wish to generate additional income by adding new housing units to their property—basement suites, duplexes, or other creative conversions. Whether you’re creating housing for long term rental or short term rental, more housing is needed in communities across Canada.
Moving home and especially communities can be stressful! For many seniors, gentle density offers an ideal pathway to downsizing to a small home that better meets their evolving lifestyles, while allowing them to remain in the familiar comfort of their communities that they have called home for their lives. In the 2023 National Institute on Ageing (NIA) in Canada Survey, 88% of Canadians aged 50 and older wish to age in place as long as possible, and the rate of preference increases to 96% for those aged 80 and older.