Small Housing Launches Free Predevelopment Navigator to Help BC Homeowners Unlock Gentle Density
Vancouver, BC – Thursday, 1 October 2026 – Small Housing, BC’s independent non-profit resource for gentle density housing, today launched the Predevelopment Navigator, a free program that gives homeowners personalized, one-on-one guidance to assess what they can build on their property from laneway homes and accessory dwelling units to multi-unit infill like duplexes and triplexes.
Recent provincial housing legislation has opened the door for small-scale multi-unit housing on lots across British Columbia, but most homeowners have no clear path from curiosity to a credible plan. Zoning rules, permitting, development costs, and financing remain confusing and risky territory, and bad early decisions without guidance can be expensive.
The Predevelopment Navigator, funded by Vancity, closes that gap. Eligible homeowners are matched with a Small Housing Navigator who reviews their goals, timeline, and budget, then delivers a tailored feasibility study covering zoning, site conditions, two to three development options, and cost estimates followed by a clear recommendation, and no obligation to build.
“Homeowners own more land than any BC developer and represent the untapped potential of BC’s missing middle, but nobody hands you a roadmap when the rules change,” said Dan Winer, Co-Executive Lead, Small Housing. “The Navigator gives BC homeowners an honest, unbiased read on their property, including when the answer is ‘don’t build’, before they’ve risked their savings.”
“Helping our members create more homes takes more than financing. Through our partnership with Small Housing, we’re covering the costs of personalized guidance so homeowners take informed first steps as citizen developers and create missing-middle housing that makes room for family, neighbours and future generations.” said Ryan Mckinley, Retail Lead, Strategic Housing Initiatives at Vancity.
The program is open to Vancity members who own a home in an established single-family neighbourhood within a community served by a Vancity branch, are at an early predevelopment stage, and are actively exploring a gentle density build within the next 12–24 months. Participants who choose not to proceed keep their feasibility report at no cost.
Homeowners can apply, or download Small Housing’s free Homeowner’s Guide, at smallhousingbc.org/predevelopment-navigator
Builder, policy makers, and interested parties can stay updated on the project at smallhousing.ca.