Why multi-generational living is becoming more common in Canada
Sharing large houses or building backyard homes can make financial and practical sense, families say
For Scot Hein, living steps away from his two-year-old granddaughteris an "extraordinary"blessing. Hecan spend time with her every day, whether it's for storytime or playing in the garden.
The living arrangement was made possible because his daughter and son-in-law built a smaller home in his backyard in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood.
"We made the land work for us to leverage housing for our next generation of family," said Hein, 67. His daughterMary Hein and son-in-lawArran McAteermoved into the 1,400 square-foot, rose-coloured wood-frame house two years ago.
The Heins are among a growing number of Canadian families sharing their propertywith different generations.
WATCH |A look inside the homes of three multi-generational families in B.C.:
With British Columbiaseeing thehighest rents in Canada and detached homes easily costing $1 million,splitting a mortgage with several family members or moving into a smaller home in your parents' backyard are two ways families can cutcosts and supporteach other.
"It's too expensive everywhere. And living together, you can share everything," says Surjit Singh, whose family immigrated from Italy in 2018 and were able tocollectively purchase their first home in Abbotsford, around 60 kilometres east of Vancouver, in 2021.
"It's very hard to pay all these mortgages in this time for Canadians, but ...we are lucky we are living together," said Singh, 44.
Across Canada, the number of properties shared by multiple generations, two or more families, or one family living with unrelated people has grown by 45 per cent over the past 20 yearstotalling almost one million homes in 2021,according to2022 Statistics Canada data.
Andthe number of multi-generational households is expected to grow, experts say, as governments of all levelsmake it easier to renovate or build smaller homes on existing family lots.
The province of B.C. says for decades,outdated zoning rules have meant most new homes have been condos or single-family homes,whichare financially out of reachfor many people entering the housing market.
But in 2023, B.C. introduced legislationin part allowingsecondary suites with a separate kitchenand living spacein a larger homeand detached units in backyards like laneway homes on single-family lots.A deadline of June 30 has been set for local governments to bring current bylaws into compliance with the new legislation.
A federal tax creditalso provides a tax refund on building a secondary dwelling for qualifying family members.
What is a multi-generational home?
Multi-generational living isn't new. For centuries, different cultures have embraced the concept and the ways it connectsolder and younger generations.
Reasons for its growing popularity beyond sharing costs include an aging population and immigrationfrom countries, especially in Asia,where multi-generational living is common, said Andy Yan, director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University.
The model of living might not befor everyone, Yan cautions. There might not be enough privacy; it can be hard to find spacious, affordable properties; andparking, too, is an issue in homes with many occupants.
"Some may view this as a failure to launch;for others, it's a foundation to succeed," Yan said.
Convenience, practicalities, agreements
In the Heins' backyard, Scot and his wife Julia happily watch their granddaughter as she digs in the flower garden.
Mary Hein appreciates how they can all be together daily and help each other out.
Their new home allows Mary's family to build equity in a property after she and her husband spent years renting. She says she'sin a neighbourhood she loves, and is close to her job as a registered nurse.
Plus, her parents can easily help with last-minute babysitting, if needs be.
Mary's home became a realityafter 2018, whentheCity of Vancouver beganofferingincentivesto retain character homeshouses built before 1940 with recognized historical features.One of the perks was the ability to increase density by building an infill home, a smaller, detached unit that can be rented, sold or stratified.
As retired architects,Mary's parentsdesigned the infill. She and her husband,an engineer, then got a loan to construct it.
Their mortgage is slightly higher than the rent for their one-bedroom apartment in 2020, but now they have twice the space, Mary says.
"It just seemed like a great option in terms of affordability," she said.
The arrangement has meant setting expectations with a shared family agreement. For example, Mary's parentswait for her family to approach them. The agreement also outlines the mortgage, property taxesand maintenance costs.
"We take good care to know when we should be connected or stay out of their hair," Scot said.
Connecting with family and culture
For Surjit Singh's family, owning a home in Abbotsfordhas meant sharing one roof among 10 family members and their cat, Cookie.
After years of renting in B.C., Singh says his brother and uncle helped buy the seven-bedroom home in 2021.
Living together makes life"easier, enjoyable and more affordable," Singhsays as fresh chai boils in their kitchen.
He, his brother and sister-in-law split the mortgage, billsand groceries. The family shares one kitchen to cook and enjoy Italian and Punjabi meals together.
Singh says hismom, especially, enjoys teaching her five grandkids Punjabi or discussing their Sikh faith.
She's "fantastic she's another mother for us," says her 18-year-old grandson, Deepinder.
Singh says inflation and a hefty mortgage makes it challenging to live in Canada. But the family works hard to pay their expenses, openly communicates about any disagreements, and hasmutual respect.
As his kids watch TV, Singh reflects on their future and hopes there will be more affordable housing.
"They don't want to live only for mortgages I hope they can afford more to live better like a Canadian."
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