Society & Culture

Community Fridges Gain Momentum in Vancouver Neighborhoods

Grassroots groups are setting up community fridges in local neighborhoods to address food insecurity while promoting mutual aid and civic engagement.

July 24, 2025 at 10:34 — By Daniel Wagner, Leaf & Thought

With rising housing costs and evolving family structures, multigenerational households are becoming the new normal in Canadian suburbs. In response, builders and architects are rethinking traditional layouts.

One development in Mississauga, Ontario, now offers homes with separate entrances, dual kitchens, and private suites—designed specifically to accommodate aging parents, adult children, or extended family under one roof.

Architect Marla Tewari says demand for these types of homes has doubled in the last five years. 'People want to care for loved ones while still maintaining a sense of independence,' she explains. 'That requires thoughtful, flexible design.'

These homes often feature flexible-use spaces that can evolve with a family’s needs, including finished basements with sound insulation, accessible bathrooms, and convertible lofts.

The trend is driven by a variety of factors: skyrocketing rents, cultural norms favoring family cohesion, and a growing awareness of eldercare challenges in a stretched healthcare system.

A recent report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation revealed that one in ten households now includes multiple adult generations. In regions like Brampton and Richmond Hill, the proportion is even higher.

Homebuyers say the benefits extend beyond economics. 'We love having my parents close, especially for the kids,' says Mandeep Singh, who recently moved into a multigenerational home with his wife and in-laws.

Despite the advantages, zoning regulations and mortgage structures still pose challenges. Some municipalities have begun updating bylaws to support this shift, allowing secondary units and reclassifying homes to reflect new use cases.

Experts predict this housing model will only grow in popularity. As Tewari puts it: 'We’re moving away from the nuclear ideal and back toward something older, more communal—and it’s changing the way we build homes in Canada.'