Previous Events Playback

Presented on April 29, 2024, this brief webinar introduces the Gentle Density Housing Bylaw Guide: A pathway for local governments. Developed by Small Housing, our partners at Urban Systems, and supported by CMHC, the guide focuses on:  * sharing early learnings from BC local governments that are charting new and exciting paths forward in updating zoning bylaws to allow gentle density housing, and  * how communities in other provinces and territories can jumpstart their own upzoning efforts to enable the housing diversity that more people want and need Find the Guide here: https://toolbox.smallhousing.ca/resources/gentle-density-housing-bylaw-guide-a-pathway-for-local-governments/

On April 18, 2024, Adam Cseke from the City of Kelowna presented and answered many questions about the bylaw updates Kelowna has brought forward to align with the Province’s legislation. Adam is a senior urban planner with over a decade of experience at the City of Kelowna, which has been on the leading edge of gentle density for several years.

On March 13, 2024, City of Castlegar’s Manager of Planning, Development and Sustainability, Meeri Durand, presented the second session in our Leading Communities series. Meeri spoke to GDN members about Castlegar’s integration of its Housing Needs Report and Community Plan with the Province of BC’s Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) requirements.

Our first Leading Communities session on February 22 , 2024, featured the Town of Oliver’s Director of Development Services, Randy Houle, RPP, MCIP. Randy shared about Oliver’s initiative to significantly simplify its residential zoning while bringing in SSMUH.

On September 13, 2024, we assembled a group of parking and transportation reform champions to help the Gentle Density Network explore what parking reform and gentle density might look like in their communities

The prospect of upzoning single-detached neighbourhoods to 3-4 or more units per lot has planners, civil engineers, and utility providers wrestling with how to plan for servicing the increased density, and councils and finance officers wondering how to pay for it all. In April, Small Housing convened a roundtable of these experts to tackle these questions. On August 2, 2024, a group of 48 planners and engineers joined us as we shared the resulting recommendations, including a special presentation from BC Hydro taking a deep dive into all things electrical — connection upgrades, transformer requirements, and system capacity.

We are eager to share our public engagement research with our Small Housing community. At this June 7, 2023, webinar, Avalanche Insights presented Small Housing’s survey results, namely the barriers and opportunities that the public face in regard to engaging with gentle density housing solutions. During the session, Small Housing Director, Akua Schatz, and guests, Kyla Yeoman and Zoë Tomaskova-Redfield of Avalanche Insights reviewed highlights of Small Housing’s public opinion survey to gain a greater understanding of the public’s perception around small-scale infill housing in single-detached neighbourhoods.

Exploring Gentle Density Supply and Housing Affordability

Local governments continue to face challenges with respect to housing supply and affordability. Gentle density infill housing strategies provide a promising way to increase housing supply in already built areas, but the question of affordability still remains. To address this question and provide recommendations, Small Housing gathered an expert roundtable to identify the most effective and promising tools and practices that local governments can deploy to increase gentle density housing supply and affordability.

Watch James Moore, City of Kelowna, and Matt Thomson, Urban Matters, in the April 26, 2023, Gentle Density Network session to learn about the roundtable’s recommendations on affordability and understand how the City of Kelowna increased gentle density supply and affordability.

Watch to learn about the land development economics behind Gentle Density initiatives as we focus on feasibility, viability and homeowner capacity building.

This session features a panel discussion on March 29, 2023, with Tyler Bump, Senior Economic Advisor at ECONorthwest, Jeff Waters, Principal at Waters Development Management, and Madonna Blunt, Certified Residential Appraiser.

Summit 2022 – Over 80 Municipal Planners and Elected Officials Gather to Discuss Gentle Density

On November 22 and 23, 2022, Small Housing hosted over 80 gentle density advocates from across BC at our Gentle Density Local Leaders’ Summit. Small Housing hosted the event on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.

With Premier Eby’s November 21st Housing Supply Act announcement as a backdrop, delegates were keen to explore implementing gentle density in their communities. The two-day program was facilitated by representatives from Small Housing, WCS Planning + Engagement (WCS), and Urban Matters, and featured guest speakers from BC, Oregon and California. Participants and presenters returned to their communities feeling inspired, engaged and optimistic about the future of gentle density housing in B.C.

Forty municipal planners gathered for the day program and were later joined by 40+ elected officials, industry members and community leaders for the evening program. Staff from Small Housing, WCS Engagement + Planning, and Urban Matters facilitated the busy agenda, featuring guest speakers Tyler Bump (OR), Ethan Stuckmayer (OR), Renee Schomp (CA), and Mark Masongsong (BC).

In total, 26 municipalities and 20 local, provincial and national organizations were represented at the #GenDenSummit.

In addition, we were joined by gentle density supporters and housing advocates from organizations such as Canadian Homebuilders Association of BC, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Real Estate Foundation of BC, Union of BC Municipalities, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, MetroVancouver, Renewable Cities, and Tofino Housing Corporation, to name just a few.

Sharing lessons learned and the opportunities ahead 

On November 22, delegates explored the results of the province-wide planners’ survey, which was conducted earlier in the fall and received over 50 responses. Planners from Kelowna, Nelson, and Victoria presented overviews of gentle density and missing middle initiatives.

Tyler Bump (ECO Northwest), Ethan Stuckmayer (Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development) and Renee Schomp (Napa Sonoma ADU Center) highlighted leading practices in Oregon and California, including public engagement, making a business case for gentle density housing and supporting staff capacity. A Peer Input Process, led by expert panellists, tackled the question: “How can Local Governments support the private sector to strengthen the business case to more rapidly scale up new Gentle Density products?” Planners explored answers to their pressing questions about gentle density, including balancing stormwater management, form and character, and setting housing targets during the Open Space session.

Mark Masongsong of Urban Logiq presented an overview of the interactive Webtool they are developing with Small Housing, which is a reference tool for planners that will be designed as a scalable and extensible platform and includes georeferenced data integrations and a user forum function.

The evening program began with a panel discussion about implementing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Oregon and California, featuring Tyler Bump, Ethan Stuckmayer, and Renee Schomp. The reception that followed offered opportunities to continue conversations and create new connections.

On November 23, approximately 20 delegates convened to kick off the first Affordability and Community of Practice advisory roundtable discussions. Both groups will continue meeting over the next 18 months. Another 20 toured Vancouver’s Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood, exploring gentle density infill projects in the area, expertly led by civic historian John Atkin.

Looking ahead: implementing gentle density in British Columbia and beyond 

Four key themes and learnings were identified over the course of the Summit:

1. Gentle density is not a ‘silver bullet’; rather, it is one intervention to help address housing needs in B.C. communities.
2. In the face of complex issues surrounding densification, decision-makers and planners need helpful tools and concrete examples of the potential impacts of gentle density.
3. There is an emerging need to prepare and grow capacity in the developer community specifically about gentle density, as density is increasingly mandated, and the approaches to implementation are diverse.
4. The transition to gentle density can occur only with equitable representation of the diversity of voices in our communities. Meaningful, inclusive engagement with residents is essential to success.

Moving forward, Small Housing will continue to spark conversation amongst our budding Community of Practice by listening, learning, and working together to realize the role of gentle density in contributing to more affordable, vibrant and climate-friendly communities.

A big thank you to our partners and supporters

With gratitude, Small Housing acknowledges the support of the Real Estate Foundation of BC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the funding to produce this multijurisdictional dialogue.

Thanks to Galen Aker, John Atkin, Brie Collins, Elora Dulac, Kristen Elkow, Shannon Gordon, Cheeying Ho, Mark Masongsong, Kim Slater, Matt Thomson, Jenn To, Jordan Wade, Dan Wilson and David Yeung for their support in producing the event.
We also thank Strong Towns, Journal of Commerce, and Vancouver Sun for their coverage of the event.