More families in Canada are choosing to live with their grandparents, parents, and children all in one house. Why? Because housing costs are high, and family connections are important.
This is not just a trend. It’s a smart and meaningful choice for many Canadians. Families are saving money, sharing childcare, and taking care of elderly parents by living together.
In this blog, we’ll explore why more families are choosing extended family homes.
We’ll also discuss the benefits, challenges, best home designs, and the future of multi-generational living in Canada.
Why Are Extended Family Homes Becoming Popular in Canada?
In Canada, more families are living together across generations. As per the report, around 442,000 homes have three or more generations under one roof. It makes up 2.9% of all households.
This trend is growing for several reasons that are changing how families live today. Here’s why more families are choosing to live together across generations.
1. Rising Housing Costs
Homes Are Expensive
The cost of buying or renting a home in Canada has been going up. Many young people can’t afford to buy their own homes, and older people may not want the cost of living alone.
Living Together Helps Save Money
By living together, everyone can share the costs of rent or mortgage, utilities, and groceries. This makes it more affordable for everyone.
Sharing Responsibilities
Living together also means families can help each other out. They can share things like cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the home. It makes life easier for everyone.
2. Aging Population
Canada’s Older Population
Canada’s population is getting older. Many older people don’t want to move to a nursing home and prefer to stay in a familiar, loving home.
Taking Care of Seniors at Home
Instead of sending elderly parents away, many families choose to care for them at home. This way, seniors get the support they need, and their children can ensure they are safe and happy.
Comfort for Seniors
Living with family provides emotional comfort. Seniors enjoy spending time with their loved ones, sharing meals, and being part of family activities. This helps them feel better and more connected.
3. Cultural Preferences
Traditions in Immigrant Families
For many immigrant families, especially from South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Filipino backgrounds, living with parents and grandparents is a common tradition. In these cultures, it’s normal for multiple generations to live together.
Keeping Cultural Practices Alive
When these families move to Canada, they bring their cultural traditions with them. Living together helps them stay connected to their roots and maintain family bonds.
Stronger Family Connections
Living under one roof brings families closer. Parents, children, and grandparents all share the responsibility of looking after each other. This creates a strong support system and deepens family bonds.
4. Childcare Support
High Cost of Daycare
Daycare can be very expensive, especially in cities. Parents find it hard to pay for daycare while also working.
Grandparents Can Help with Childcare
When grandparents live at home, they often help take care of the kids. This saves money on daycare costs and helps kids spend time with their grandparents.
Building Stronger Bonds
Grandparents can teach children important life lessons, offer wisdom, and give emotional support. Children feel more secure and loved with grandparents around. It makes their relationships stronger.
5. Remote Work Flexibility
More People Are Working from Home
Since the pandemic, more people are working from home. Many no longer have to commute to an office, which makes it easier to live with extended family.
Convenience of Living Together
Working from home means no need to travel long distances for work. Parents can work and take care of their children and elderly parents at the same time.
Spending More Time Together
Remote work also means families can spend more time together. Parents and kids can connect more, which helps everyone understand each other’s schedules and needs better.
Benefits of Intergenerational Living in Canada
Living with multiple generations has lots of benefits for Canadian families.
It helps them adjust to today’s economic and social challenges. These benefits are more than just saving money. They also include better support and stronger family bonds.
1. Financial Savings
When families share one home, they also share expenses like mortgage payments, electricity, water, and internet. Apart from that, it makes life more affordable for everyone.
2. Stronger Family Bonds
Living under one roof means spending more time together. Grandparents can tell stories, parents can share advice, and kids grow up surrounded by love.
3. Better Care for Seniors
Seniors feel safer and happier when they live with family. They get emotional support and help with daily tasks, without feeling lonely or isolated.
4. Convenient Childcare
Parents can go to work knowing their children are in good hands. Grandparents love helping with the kids. Also, it creates beautiful memories for everyone.
5. Sustainability
Living together helps the planet too. One large household uses less energy and water than several small ones. Thus, it’s a smart way to live green.
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Challenges of Multi-Generational Living
Living with multiple generations can be tough at times. Limited space can cause stress, physically and emotionally, for everyone in the house.
In big cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the average price for a detached home is over $1.2 million. It forces many families to consider smaller or less ideal homes.
1. Privacy Concerns
Sharing a home means sharing space. Sometimes, people want time alone. Without the right setup, this can lead to stress or disagreements.
2. Different Lifestyles
Everyone has their way of living. Some like quiet mornings, others enjoy late-night TV. These differences can cause tension if they are not managed well.
3. Home Design Limitations
Most houses aren’t built for large families living together. Standard homes in cities usually average just 800 square feet. There may not be enough bedrooms or private areas for everyone.
4. Legal & Zoning Issues
Some cities have rules about how many people can live in a home or if you can build a basement suite. Thus, you should always check local laws before planning.
What are the Best Home Designs for Extended Family Living?
To manage these issues, the housing industry is getting creative. They are designing homes that better suit extended families.
1. Secondary Suites (Granny Flats)
These are small apartments attached to the main house. They have their kitchen, bathroom, and entrance. Perfect for grandparents who want privacy.
2. Basement Apartments
Many families turn their basements into full living spaces for older kids or seniors. This gives them independence while staying close.
3. Open-Concept + Private Zones
Combining shared spaces with private ones is key. Think big kitchens and living rooms, but also quiet bedrooms and bathrooms for personal time.
4. Universal Design Features
Make sure homes are safe for seniors. This means ramps, walk-in showers, wider doorways, and grab bars. It helps everyone move around safely.
Many progressive cities are helping by making permits easier for these types of homes.
For example, Vancouver has a laneway housing program, allowing people to build extra units on their property.
Other cities across Canada are starting similar programs. Also, creating more opportunities for extended families to live together.
Want to learn more? Check out another post on effective urban planning in Canada’s housing. Find out how smart planning is improving cities and making housing more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Essential Tips for Successful Intergenerational Living
Living with multiple generations under one roof can be wonderful, but it also requires careful planning and consideration.
Here are some tips to help make intergenerational living more enjoyable and smooth for everyone:
1. Have House Rules
It’s important to set clear rules for everyone in the household. This includes things like how loud is too loud, how often guests can come over, and who does which chores. Having clear rules helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps things fair for everyone.
2. Respect Privacy
While it’s great to live together as a family, everyone needs some private time and space. Ensure each person has their own area to relax, do work, or have quiet moments.
3. Communicate Often
Communication is key in any shared living situation. Talk about any problems or concerns early before they become bigger issues. It’s better to bring up small issues right away rather than letting them build up.
Set regular times to check in with each other and discuss how everyone is feeling. This helps everyone stay on the same page and solve problems before they grow.
4. Design for Comfort
Make the home comfortable for everyone. Consider adding extra bathrooms, creating private spaces, or even soundproofing rooms if needed. This can help avoid feelings of crowding and give each generation a comfortable place to enjoy.
Small changes, like adding separate entrances, can make a big difference. Creating flexible living spaces also helps everyone feel more comfortable at home.
5. Legal Planning
It’s important to think about the legal side of shared living, especially when it comes to things like ownership and inheritance. You might consider sharing ownership of the home. You could also make a will to make sure everyone’s wishes are respected.
Speak to a lawyer about options like joint property ownership, wills, or setting up powers of attorney. This helps avoid confusion or conflicts in the future and gives everyone peace of mind.
Government Support for Multigenerational Living in Canada
If you want to live with your family across generations, the Canadian government can help.
The government offers helpful programs to make multigenerational living easier. One of these programs is the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (MHRTC). It can give you up to $50,000 to make your home more comfortable and functional.
Here’s how the MHRTC helps:
- You get 15% back on qualifying renovation costs
- You can claim up to $50,000 per home
- It covers costs for building extra living spaces, like a secondary suite
- Also, it helps with accessibility changes (e.g., wheelchair ramps)
- It reimburses you for important safety upgrades
You can use this tax credit for projects like:
- Adding a separate entrance for privacy
- Installing wheelchair ramps
- Making bathrooms more accessible
- Creating kitchen spaces so family members can live independently
- Building self-contained living areas
And it’s not the federal government helping out. Provincial governments are supporting you too with:
- Changing zoning laws to allow secondary suites
- Fast-tracking permits for renovations
- Offering property tax breaks for families
- Giving grants to make homes safer for family members
- Helping with energy-efficient home upgrades
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) also offers extra support, such as:
- Special mortgage options for multigenerational homes
- Helpful tips on how to adapt your home for different generations
- They provide guidance on planning renovations
- They offer research funding for creative housing ideas
- CMHC provides guidelines to help design spaces everyone can enjoy
These policies show that the government understands what families need. They’re working hard to support living arrangements that fit everyone’s requirements. It’s all about creating a space where everyone can live happily together.
Future Outlook for Extended Family Homes in Canada
The future of living with multiple generations in Canada looks bright. The population is aging, and by 2068, seniors will make up nearly 30% of the population. This will change how families live and what types of homes they need.
Key Changes Coming:
Housing Market Changes:
- More homes will be built specifically for extended families.
- Flexible living spaces that can adjust to different family needs will become more common.
- Technology will help older adults live comfortably in their homes longer.
- With house prices rising, more families will choose to live together. It’s a practical way to afford a good home.
Changes in Urban Planning:
- Cities may change zoning laws to allow homes for extended families.
- More communities will include shared spaces for neighbors.
- Neighborhoods will be designed with better accessibility for people of all ages.
What the Real Estate Sector Will Do?
- New homes will feature separate entrances for different generations.
- Homes will be built using modular designs, making it easier to change or expand them.
- Smart technology will help keep families safe and comfortable.
What Population Experts Predict?
- By 2040, multigenerational households will increase by 75%.
- This trend will be strongest in cities and nearby suburbs.
- More people will want homes that can be easily adapted for extended families.
What Canadian Cities Will See?
- Cities will offer more permits for secondary suites (small units within homes).
- New building codes will support multigenerational living.
- Communities will offer more services for people of all ages.
These changes will reshape housing in Canada, making extended family living more common and supported in many communities.
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Final Thoughts
Extended family homes in Canada are more than just a housing trend. They’re a lifestyle choice filled with love, support, and savings. As housing prices rise and families change, this way of living makes more sense than ever.
As this trend continues to grow, it reshapes our understanding of home, family, and community in modern Canadian society.
Whether you’re thinking about caring for your parents, helping your adult kids, or simply saving money, multi-generational living could be right for you.
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