Insights

Cities worldwide are experiencing population growth, increasing housing demands and a need for walkable, sustainable neighbourhoods. Addressing these demands can be challenging, but Missing Middle Housing offers a promising solution. This concept, introduced by Daniel Parolek, includes multi-unit residences like duplexes, fourplexes and bungalow courts, which bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes. Though seemingly different in appearance, each of these housing types shares the common goal of promoting affordable housing, community, walkability and neighbourhood diversity. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the importance of Missing Middle buildings and how they can help address the housing crisis while fostering vibrant, walkable communities.

In 2015, the United Nations introduced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global plan focused on achieving peace, prosperity and sustainability by 2030. Central to this plan are 17 goals, each aimed at different areas of development. Among them, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 is especially important as it addresses the needs of the world’s growing urban populations. SDG 11 aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and this number is expected to increase to nearly 70 percent by 2050. With this rapid urbanization, cities are under pressure to remain livable, protect the environment and ensure that all residents – no matter their economic background – have access to services, affordable housing and green spaces. SDG 11 focuses on these challenges, combining social and environmental goals to create sustainable urban areas. In this blog, we’ll uncover the key components of SDG 11, such as affordable housing, sustainable transportation and green spaces. We’ll also explore how Elevate Living is playing its part in helping to meet these objectives by developing sustainable housing and creating better urban spaces for the future.

In recent years, public opinion on walkability has evolved significantly. People are growing tired of the constant need to hop in the car for every errand, leading to a surge in demand for neighbourhoods where walking isn’t just a possibility, but the preferred way to get around. As cities and developers respond to this shift, building walkable neighbourhoods has become a priority. But what exactly makes a walkable community, and why should it matter to you? Keep reading to find out.

Canada’s housing crisis is a major issue affecting many parts of the province, and Niagara is no exception. With a growing population and limited land, it’s been tough to find affordable homes, especially for first-time buyers. But there’s hope coming our way. Infill housing solutions might be the answer, or at the very least, a big part of the solution. In this blog, we’ll look at how urban infill development can address the housing shortage by making the most of existing land, increasing the number of homes available, offering diverse housing options and promoting higher density developments. Keep reading to learn how this approach can benefit the Niagara Region and, most importantly, you as a homebuyer.

With over 80 percent of Canadians living in cities and urban populations growing at unprecedented rates, there’s an urgent demand for additional housing. However, traditional residential developments aimed at providing affordable housing often result in the destruction of green spaces. This leads to higher temperatures, increased flooding (exacerbated by climate change) and harm to natural ecosystems and biodiversity. That’s why there’s a movement towards green solutions. Cities are introducing more native trees and plants, revitalizing green spaces within urban environments. These initiatives are vital for fostering healthy urban development. Keep reading to learn how Elevate Living is making a difference in our developments and why these efforts are crucial for our communities.

In Ontario, the demand for housing, especially for rental units, is rising rapidly. The supply is struggling to keep up, making the rental market more unaffordable. Several factors contribute to this surge: homebuyers are being priced out of the market, baby boomers are downsizing into more accessible spaces and the population is growing due to immigration. To address this growing demand, purpose-built apartments are becoming a viable option. Keep reading this month’s blog to learn how these developments can help ease the province’s housing crisis.

At Elevate Living, our philosophy has always been to fulfill our community’s real estate needs. In Niagara, that translates to providing more housing, more units and more choices! And here’s the thing – finding your home shouldn’t mean settling for less. If you’ve explored our website, you’ve probably noticed we do things a bit differently than other home builders in Niagara. We’re all about New Urbanism, which means we’re committed to enhancing each client’s lifestyle. What does that entail? Keep reading to learn more!