Skip to content

Homeowner Actions

Interested in adopting a housing option such as home sharing, renting out a secondary suite and/or a coach/laneway house?

Note: Homeowners may be referred to as ‘home providers’ throughout the documents published on this site.

The Housing Solutions Lab explored the following options:

“We’ve considered building a secondary suite or coach home but it does not work for our home.”

Home Sharing

Living arrangement in which two or more unrelated people share a house or apartment. Often includes a private room for the home seeker and shared kitchen and bathroom. 

Secondary Suites

A self-contained unit that includes cooking and sleeping facilities and a washroom, typically within a single-family dwelling, duplex or other residential unit. These units are connected to the main building and often take the form of basement or garden suites. 

Coach/laneway House

A small dwelling that exists on the same property as a large house, usually located at the back of the property, separate from the main house. 

Here are some resources to help explore next steps for each housing option:

Many home sharing programs already exist across Canada:

  • More may exist in your local community!

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Looking for funding opportunities for these housing options?

Check these resources out:

  • A list of Canadian grants offered for renovations and housing options that are environmentally friendly can be found on the Show Me The Green website

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Retrofits are renovations to make a house more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. They can reduce the costs of utilities in the home and create more comfortable living environments, especially in extreme weather conditions.  

Some local governments may have incentives for retrofits for these housing options (e.g., City of Nelson). Inquire with your municipality to find out.

The following are some programs that can support retrofit upgrades:

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Interested in co-ownership housing models? Explore some of the resources below:

Co-op housing is member-owned owned and member-controlled. Instead of a regular landlord-renter relationship, co-op members own a share of the building and collectively decide how the co-op operates. Every member has voting rights to approve annual budgets, elect a board of directors and influence policies. Members do not own the units they live in.

Co-ops can be large apartment buildings or townhouses, depending on their set up. They are not covered by the B.C. Residential Tenancy Act and have separate laws that govern members’ rights and responsibilities. 

      • Each co-op operates differently. Some units may be offered at market rate, while others can be subsidized for those who meet specific criteria
      • Most co-ops are non-profit, meaning they operate at cost and can offer rates cheaper than market rentals
      • Some co-ops are equity co-ops, where members buy shares in the building related to the suite they occupy (depending on size)

Some co-op housing models in B.C. include:

        • Ambleview Place is an equity co-op for older adults over age 60 interested in owning equity in a residence in West Vancouver in company with a group of like-minded individuals who value a sense of community
        • The Atrium on Parkgate avenue is a thriving community in Vancouver’s North Shore open to seniors age 55+. It is home to 54 families living in a park like environment with the emphasis on social lifestyle

        • Based on a true story of a Kamloops residents – a group of people formed an equity co-op, to buy a 6,000-square-foot house built on more than an acre of property. Each has a private unit within the house and shared common areas, including a garden and a large kitchen 

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Co-ownership is when multiple people share ownership of a single piece of land. Explore the links below for more information on resources and existing programs:

        • The Canadian Cohousing Network is an organization that promotes the development of cohousing communities and enables networking opportunities for those interested in cohousing

        • CoHo (Collaborative Home Ownership) BC matches people who are interested in buying a home together and provides education on collaborative ownership options 

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of the programs listed. The list is provided for reference only.  

Check out more of the Seniors Housing Navigator website by exploring the sections below:

About The Housing Solutions Lab
Why These Options?
What Will These Cost?

Questions?

For questions about the Housing Solutions Lab, including the housing options explored, the pilot program design or other general inquires, please contact renewable_cities@sfu.ca or call 778-652-4077. 

a neighbourhood made up of single-detached houses