Buying a home is one of the biggest challenges facing Toronto’s younger generation. But there’s a new type of housing that could change everything: multigenerational homes. This type of home typically consists of two or more generations living under the same residence, and it’s beginning to resurface in the city and across the GTA. In this blog, we’ll cover how to start building a multigenerational home and how it may be the solution for the current housing crisis.

What is Multigenerational Living?

Multi generational housing refers to residences where multiple generations of a family live together under one roof. They often include separate living areas to ensure privacy while promoting family unity. This lifestyle is driven by economic factors such as high housing costs and inflation, as well as the need for shared caregiving responsibilities.

Historically, it was common for extended families to live together to support each other with daily tasks and childcare. Today, the trend is resurging, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, as families recognize the financial, emotional, and practical benefits of maintaining close-knit household arrangements.Multigenerational living also fosters stronger family bonds and intergenerational support systems.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Multigenerational Living

Living with other family members comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. From shared responsibilities for household chores to extra help with childcare, there are many benefits and some drawbacks to consider. 

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of multigenerational living:

  • Dividing household chores: from doing the laundry to cleaning up around the house, you can easily divide and conquer the total number of chores with more people in the home.
  • Less financial burden: sharing a home with family members helps to pool resources and cover living expenses, including mortgage payments, food, utility bills, and other charges.
  • Child and adult care: a key benefit of living with your parents is having them look after the children while you handle errands. With daycare costs on the rise, this can result in significant long-term savings. On the other hand, having family close by ensures someone is always there to support your elderly parents with their daily needs. Multigenerational homes provide the opportunity to monitor and assist your aging parents with their everyday activities.
  • Better relationships: When multiple generations, including parents, grandparents, and children, share a home, it fosters closer relationships and provides a vital support system for the family, especially during tough times.

Toronto Housing Crisis 

In more recent years, Toronto has been often associated with unaffordable housing, especially with escalating home and rental prices. This trend has posed significant challenges for millennials and Gen Z, diminishing their chances of purchasing a home in the city.

In April 2024, Royal LePage published a survey that expects GTA housing prices to rise by 10 per cent this year. In addition, the brokerage estimates that homes in the GTA will surpass those in Greater Vancouver by the end of this year. Based on these findings, it will only make it that much harder for millennials and Gen Z to buy their dream home in the near future. 

An increasing number of people are instead choosing to move in with their parents to save money. Multi generational housing provides a more functional solution for young people and helps to create a sustainable future for many families. 

Surge of Intergenerational Homes in Toronto

The prevalence of multigenerational homes in Toronto has grown steadily. Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census recorded approximately 442,000 homes with multiple generations in Canada, a 45 per cent rise over two decades.

Toronto families are embracing this new living arrangement to alleviate the high cost of living, as shared expenses lighten the financial load for each person.

Living with extended family living is the norm for many different cultures. It adds benefits such as additional childcare, household help, and stronger family ties. This setup also suits aging parents well, allowing for privacy while ensuring they are supported with medical visits and errands.  

Benefits of Multigenerational Homes

There are unique advantages to living in a home with multiple generations. 

Some of these perks may include:

  • Sharing financial payments – living in a home with multiple generations is a huge benefit because you can split up the living expenses. This allows each family member to put some money aside and build their savings as well as pay off any debt. 
  • Better care for aging family members – multigenerational housing gives you the opportunity to provide better care for your aging loved ones, whether it’s your parents or other relatives who need that extra support.
  • Assistance with adult or childcare – when more family members live under the same roof, there’s a larger pool of people to help take care of the children. You may also have older children helping to take care of their grandparents.

What Type of Home Renovation or Home Addition Project Should a Multigenerational Home Consider?

There are a variety of renovations you can do to build multigenerational homes. Whether you want to just expand your space or create separate living areas, there are several exceptional ideas for these types of homes. Here are the top home renovation and home addition ideas we recommend:

01. Legal Basement Apartment

This is a secondary suite located in the basement of the main residence. It’s typically rented out by other people and can be used as a living space for an aging family member.

02. Triplex/Fourplex Conversion

Converting your home into a triplex or fourplex is gaining popularity in Toronto. By creating separate residences on your property, it provides not only housing but the privacy for each family.

03. Garden Suite

Garden suites are most ideal to have family members stay nearby on the same property but living in separate quarters. These ADUs are also known as in-law suites or coach houses that are fully equipped with a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.

04. Laneway Suite

If your property in Toronto is on a laneway, you can create this tiny ADU. These types of residential units are detached secondary suites, perfect for in-laws or to provide care for an older family member in close proximity while maintaining enough privacy.

05. Home Addition

There are different ways of creating a home addition. For instance, if you have enough property space, you can expand on the main floor by creating bump-outs. If you can’t expand outwards, build up by creating complete second-story additions or dormer additions.

Get the best tips to plan for your next renovation project.

Multigenerational Home Tax Credit

In January 2023, the Canadian government launched the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit that’s meant to help families with the cost of renovating their home to create a second unit for a qualifying person. 

You are eligible to claim 15% of the value of your home renovations that cost up to $50,000. 

Those who can claim this credit must be:

  • A family member who is a minimum of 18 years old and qualifies for the disability tax credit before the end of the renovation period taxation year.
  • A family member who is at least 65 years old before the end of the renovation period taxation year.

Final Thoughts

Multi-generational living is a viable solution for the current housing crisis we’re facing in Toronto. Making this upgrade to your home can help in countless ways like strengthening the bond between family members, creating a supportive network, and easing the financial burden on everyone. 

Artycon is the preferred source for custom home building and specializes in creating multigenerational homes. Contact us to book a free consultation!