Multi-Generational Housing

#GoodReads – “Multi-generational housing could be the way of the future” via Canadian Real Estate Magazine.

“It’s more clear now than ever that our traditional ideas of housing are being greatly challenged by the current conditions of the world. With that in mind, many people are turning to housing alternatives that offer different lifestyles. One growing trend in Canada’s major cities and beyond is multi-generational housing.

A multi-generational household is defined in Canada as a household in which at least three generations of a family live under the same roof. Despite the recent growth, this style of living is really not new whatsoever.

Though many young adults dream of moving out of their parent’s home to start life on their own, many more are now considering multi-generational living as the more realistic option.

This trend is growing especially fast as the high cost of homes in urban centres like Toronto and Vancouver continues to rise, and the pandemic causes many to reexamine their living situations. What can multigenerational housing mean for your family, the real estate buying process, and is it right for you?

The trend of multi-generational housing is on the rise

Even before the recent impacts of the Pandemic, Canadian’s were choosing to live together with multiple generations in increasing numbers. Canadian census data from 2016 indicates that while the single-family home is still the most popular arrangement, at that time multi-generational families were the fastest-growing household type in the country. While only 3% of homes in the country were living with this arrangement, the segment saw an increase of over 37% since the year 2001. The 2021 census data is set to come out next year, so it will be interesting to see how these trends have developed since then…

Benefits of living with a multi-generational family

More options for when buying

The financial aspect of homebuying is the biggest boundary for most people looking to buy real estate. Multi-generational housing offers different opportunities when it comes to buying that single-family home buyers may not have.

With multiple generations, you are drawing from a potentially much larger income, which gives you access to the greater housing stock. Multigenerational homes may have as many as four or more earners able to contribute to paying a down payment and mortgage payments. This can help you buy homes that otherwise were outside of your price range.

This also offers some security if one of the homeowners experiences a job loss, for example, the others will be more suited to help carry the mortgage. Opportunities to care for both older and younger family members

One thing that has become clear in recent years is the dismal condition of many of the long-term care facilities in Canada. In the coming years, the aging population will start to require more care, and the nursing and retirement homes will simply not cut it, leaving the younger generations with the responsibility. In a multigenerational home, aging parents can receive care from their adult children conveniently.

For those with young children, grandparents can help their adult children with child care and have a larger part in their grandchildren’s lives as a result. This also allows young parents to save money on childcare expenses…