Small Housing is driving the evolution of single-detached neighbourhoods to provide gentle density homes, equitable for all.
British Columbia is facing a housing crisis that touches us all. Our friends, families, and communities are struggling to find homes that are affordable, available, and suited to their needs. This challenge doesn’t just impact individuals—it’s straining our economy too, as essential workers like healthcare providers, teachers, service staff, and tradespeople struggle to find housing they can afford, and younger generations are priced out of our cities.
At Small Housing, we’re a non-profit organization working to change this. Our mission is to transform single-detached neighborhoods into vibrant, inclusive spaces with ground-oriented homes that are accessible to everyone. We achieve this by driving research, offering expert guidance, advocating for change, and building partnerships with government, industry, and community organizations.
Our upcoming events:
Join us on Wednesday, December 18th, at 12:00 PM for Point Access Blocks: A Step in the Right Direction? with Michael Eliason. This presentation explores how building code reforms, like single-stair egress, can unlock diverse, high-quality housing typologies that prioritize daylight, ventilation, and climate adaptation. Discover how these changes can transform neighborhoods, improve public health, and elevate quality of life. Perfect for planners, architects, and advocates looking to champion smarter, more sustainable urban design. Don’t miss this opportunity to reimagine housing and neighborhoods for a better future.
Our latest resources:
Small Housing’s latest position paper (Sept 2024), detailing the most effective means of removing the remaining barriers that impede the feasibility of gentle density projects for homeowner developers.
Released in April 2024, this Guide aims to provide local governments with a roadmap for changing their zoning bylaws to allow gentle density housing, based on experiences from jurisdictions leading the way.
This guidance paper seeks to unpack current barriers to adoption and explore approaches to accelerating the use of offsite construction to grow gentle density supply.
The Gentle Density Network
The Gentle Density Network as an open space to catalyze the evolution of single-detached neighbourhoods that provide ground-oriented homes, equitable for all. Through webinars, in-person events and more, the GDN provides unique opportunities to collaborate with other local government planners, learn about new resources, and stay informed on the latest insights shaping gentle density housing.