Homegrown housing: A playbook for cluster housing and retrofits for the Sunshine Coast
Small-scale housing solutions to support homeowners, non-profits, and small builders on the Sunshine Coast.
The Homegrown Housing research initiative aims to expand practical, affordable housing options across the Sunshine Coast. (Happy Cities)
Homegrown housing initiative aims to innovate on the Sunshine Coast
In partnership with the Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society (SCAHS), we’ve launched Homegrown housing: A playbook for cluster housing and retrofits, a one-year research initiative aimed at expanding practical, affordable housing options across the Sunshine Coast.
The project will explore two key housing approaches well-suited to the region:
Cluster housing developments of 10 to 20 homes, typically with shared social space
Retrofit of existing homes into multiple units, including secondary suites, accessory dwelling units, caregiver suites, and shared living arrangements
These housing solutions take a “gentle density” approach that retains community character and reflects demand on infrastructure like streets, watermains, and emergency services.
Running from April 2026 through March 2027, Homegrown Housing will develop a replicable, open-access playbook to support homeowners, non-profits, and small builders in delivering small-scale multi-unit housing. The playbook will feature design guidance, financial tools, development pro formas, and ownership models specific to the Sunshine Coast. The work will be grounded in two pilot sites on the Sunshine Coast — one retrofit and one cluster housing — to ensure the guidance reflects local conditions and opportunities.
The project is supported with funding from the Rural Economic Diversification Infrastructure Fund, the Community Housing Transformation Centre, Sunshine Coast Financial, and Vancity.
Check back here for updates and learnings to share with the Sunshine Coast community as the project unfolds!
Addressing local housing pressures
Across the Sunshine Coast — and across BC as well — many communities are facing increasing housing challenges, including high land costs, extremely low rental vacancy, aging housing stock, and limited infrastructure capacity. While nearly 80% of homes in the region are single-detached, demand is growing for smaller housing options that are more accessible and more affordable.
Recent provincial zoning changes — including Bill 44 and provisions supporting small-scale multi-unit housing — have created new opportunities. But residents and organizations on the Sunshine Coast interested in innovative, small-scale housing solutions may face challenges like high site servicing costs, complex approval processes and limited financing models.
Get involved
Local builders, non-profits, and sector professionals are invited to participate throughout the project — either through interviews, hosting a pilot site, or participating in a co-design workshop.
“This work is all about collaboration,” says Madeleine Hebert, Director at Happy Cities. “We’re inviting people across the Sunshine Coast to help shape housing solutions that reflect local needs and realities.”
Interviews are now being scheduled for June 2026. Those interested in participating are encouraged to connect with the project team:
To propose a pilot site or get involved, send us an email!
Additional opportunities to get involved include:
Stakeholder interviews: May to June 2026
Co-design workshops: July and September 2026
Expert review session: December 2026
Knowledge mobilization: February to March 2026
Relevant resources
Happy Homes interactive tool to build sociability through multi-unit housing principles, strategies, and actions
Building Social Connections Toolkit of design actions to nurture wellbeing in multi-unit housing
Our Urban Village: A new model for social, missing middle housing?
The happier missing middle: Lessons for building an urban cohousing village
SCAHS’s Toolkits for Citizen Homebuilders include a range of guides, case studies, and financing structures relevant to homebuilders on the Sunshine Coast
Meet our partner
Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society is a non-profit dedicated to housing solutions that serve the entire community, meeting the needs of Sunshine Coast residents through advocacy, partnerships, and innovative housing projects.
