Middle housing—a range of options between single-family homes and mid-rise apartments—could be a solution to Alberta’s housing affordability crisis

In Canada, the dream of owning a home or the hope of paying an affordable amount of rent for a decent apartment seems elusive for so many in 2024. Each province has its own unique challenges and opportunities to make housing affordability a reality. Can “middle housing” be a potential solution in Alberta?

In June 2022, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released Canada’s Housing Supply Shortages: Estimating What is Needed to Solve Canada’s Housing Crisis by 2030. To restore housing affordability to the level last seen in 2003-2004, Alberta must build 20,000 units above usual production by 2030.

That’s a lofty goal but the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and a new citizen-led platform called mddl that guides property owners through the inner-city development process, suggest that scaling up middle housing could be an essential part of the solution.?

The term “missing middle housing” was introduced in 2010 by architect Daniel Parolek to describe a range of housing types that bridge the gap between single-family homes and mid-rise apartments. This middle ground includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard apartments, townhomes, and live/work units. Over time, restrictive zoning unfortunately prevented these types of housing from taking root in many North American neighbourhoods. As housing pressures rise, however, middle housing is re-emerging as a real and practical solution.?

Making the case for middle housing?

CUI and mddl’s study, Making the Case for the Middle: The Potential of Middle Housing Production in Alberta, supported by the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, examines how middle housing could help address Alberta’s housing needs. This project defines middle housing types as those with ground-level entry that typically don’t require elevators, allowing for easier integration into established neighborhoods.

The research involved a literature review, engagement with local middle housing developers, and case studies of successful middle housing initiatives relevant to the Albertan context: Edmonton’s Infill Roadmap, Calgary’s upzoning process, City of Airdrie’s successful use of the Housing Accelerator Fund funding, and smaller-scale redevelopment opportunities under the concept of ‘Missing Little’.

The case studies demonstrate middle housing solutions adaptable across Alberta’s diverse municipal landscapes. Edmonton’s roadmap, for example, shows the effectiveness of strategic infill planning, while Calgary’s community engagement around rezoning highlights the need for clear, consistent communication with residents. Airdrie’s use of the Housing Accelerator Fund explores the potential to utilize federal funding to initiate local housing system improvements, and the Missing Little concept examines how smaller redevelopment projects and citizen-development offer unique opportunities for small-scale growth.?

Key findings and next steps?

CUI and mddl’s findings point to several actions that could support middle housing in Alberta. First, enabling middle housing production is key to diversifying housing options in traditionally low-density neighbourhoods, improving affordability and accessibility for a broader population. Zoning reform alone won’t solve all issues. Municipalities will also need to streamline approvals, adjust building codes, and foster collaboration across levels of government to overcome bureaucratic and regulatory challenges or barriers.?

Community engagement is also a critical factor, especially in gaining residents’ buy-in. Calgary’s rezoning process illustrates how proactive, transparent, and evidence-based communication can address common concerns around density. Additionally, the idea of citizen-driven development emerged as a promising approach, where individual property owners convert existing homes into triplexes or fourplexes, expanding housing stock through gentle density that doesn’t significantly change the feel of a neighbourhood.?

And finally, innovation in regulation and construction can play a significant role. Financial constraints are a primary hurdle for smaller projects, but enabling zoning reform, pre-approved designs, and modular construction techniques could make middle housing projects more financially feasible. With modular and off-site construction methods, projects could achieve economies of scale that benefit both developers and residents.?

Looking ahead, CUI and mmdl recommend a few areas of focus to strengthen middle housing efforts in Alberta. Conducting longitudinal studies on new middle housing initiatives is required to assess their impact on housing accessibility and neighborhood diversity over time. Researchers and municipalities should also collaborate to analyze broader market dynamics, such as land costs, supply and demand, and material shortages, affecting middle housing production.?

Streamlined approval processes and fast-track programs, especially those incorporating modular construction, could also enhance middle housing development feasibility. Pre-approved designs can reduce carrying costs by shortening approval timelines, while modular methods have the potential to shorten project timelines broadly, both of which make middle housing a more viable option.?

Middle housing offers a practical path to addressing Alberta’s affordable housing shortage. Market transformation in support of middle housing production has the potential to increase supply and provide a greater variety of housing options that are attainable and responsive to the needs of diverse households.

These changes will help improve the livability of Alberta’s municipalities and create resilient and inclusive communities that can better meet the needs of today’s—and tomorrow’s—residents.?

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