Fighting the housing crisis in small Ontario communities through medium-density housing

Abstract

The population boom and the housing crisis brought on by the present housing market and housing demand are some of the major problems small communities in Southwestern Ontario are facing. In the past, the real estate market in Southwestern Ontario’s small towns has been centered around two extremes. One example of these extremes is the single-detached home, which still rules the Ontario real estate market and is frequently out of reach for the typical citizen. There is also the supportive housing market, where people can get help from their local government to succeed in daily living. The next concern is how architecture might help address the developing housing crisis and give the expanding population access to affordable and achievable housing in small towns. This is accomplished by offering a medium- density housing option that small towns can modify to give residents access to housing in a socially connected neighbourhood.