An cohousing project offers a promising, missing middle solution to Vancouver’s housing and social isolation crises.

Happy Cities, Hey Neighbour Collective, and SFU evaluated the impact of the City of North Vancouver’s Active Design Guidelines, uncovering valuable insights for promoting social connection in multi-unit housing.

Design strategies and research to support aging in the right place.

Happy Cities, in collaboration with Hey Neighbour Collective and Simon Fraser University, is partnering with six local governments in Metro Vancouver. Together, they are co-creating policies aimed at promoting social well-being in multi-unit housing.

The City of Vancouver is addressing the housing needs of seniors with a new Seniors Housing Strategy. To gather community input, they've enlisted Happy Cities to engage adults 55+ and senior-serving organizations in Vancouver.

Brightside Community Homes Foundation is revamping four of its affordable housing sites to better suit resident needs. Our study focused on improving the relocation process to enhance resident well-being.

In response to Metro Vancouver's housing crisis, British Columbia announced new legislation in November 2023. This includes legalizing three to six units per lot province-wide and designating areas near rapid transit stations as "transit-oriented development" zones. Cities in these areas must allow taller residential buildings and eliminate parking minimums.

Temporary modular housing (TMH) offers a rapid, cost-effective solution for homelessness, with over 2,000 units built in British Columbia since 2017. However, prioritizing resident wellbeing is crucial for creating truly safe and supportive homes.

Denser cities offer potential for stronger social networks but also pose challenges like overcrowding and loneliness, especially in multi-unit housing. Effective design and social programs can alleviate these issues and mitigate high living costs.

Multi-family housing complexes are urban hubs. Boosting sociability requires thoughtful design and community engagement, fostering stronger connections.

The location and design of multi-family housing significantly affect local relationships, neighborhood trust, and residents’ sense of belonging, impacting social isolation, a global public health concern in cities.