A suburban approach to small living (Credit: Bob Ransford)

Small Housing BC is a non-profit advocate for smaller forms of housing—in the suburbs. But why are smaller homes needed?

Small Housing BC co-founder Bob Ransford describes the problem this way: “The physical and social structure of the traditional North American suburb has failed to live up to the expectations of many who settled in suburban neighbourhoods. Social change is altering the concept of the family; the traditional family is no longer traditional. Singles, single-parent families, combined generations—all are searching for living arrangements that are no longer the alternative, but are becoming the norm.”

Small homes aren’t new. Rather, the desire for smaller homes is a return to an earlier philosophy. “North Americans have built these smaller homes before,” writes Ransford. “Small Housing BC believes they can be built again today—but better designed, more durable, and more ecologically responsible.”

Formed in 2012, Small Housing BC is leading the charge. It contributes to research, knowledge transfer, education, and the achievement of excellence associated with small forms of housing and related advanced urbanism.

Download Fall 2015

Read more about Small Housing BC’s work in “Small Homes Meet the Needs of the Future,” in the Fall 2015 issue of Input, page 10.

More information about Small Housing BC

Join the conversation on Facebook