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Multiplexes

What is a Multiplex?

A Multiplex is a small scale townhouse project on a single lot. Multiplexes allow more people to live on a single lot. Because the cost of the land is shared over more homes and the units are smaller, they cost less and are a more sustainable alternative to single-detached homes or duplexes.

How does this relate to Missing Middle Housing?
Missing Middle Housing refers to multiplex and townhouse buildings that are between 1-3 storeys, and also includes low-rise apartment buildings between 3-6 storeys. These housing types increase choice, including ownership and rental options. Advancing the multiplex housing option will create more opportunity to build smaller scale Missing Middle Housing in more neighbourhoods.

Multiplex Housing – Affordable Home Ownership Units

To advance the Vancouver Plan, Council has directed staff to advance a new housing option in Residential One-Family Zones (RS) that could allow up to six units on a lot. This is expected to result in the creation of a new “multiplex” option in some or all RS zones.

One of the preliminary objectives of this program is to:

  • Seek opportunities to achieve further affordability by delivering some of the homes as affordable home ownership (AHO) units, or by requiring builders to make a payment to the city to help fund other affordable housing projects or amenities.

What is an Affordable Home Ownership (AHO) unit?

AHO programs create pathways to homeownership for households who are unable to purchase a home at market prices. One way AHO programs can make ownership possible for more people is by allowing homes to be bought and sold at below-market rates to qualifying households. The level of discount from market price varies, but typically AHO homes are affordable to households earning above-median incomes (e.g. approximately $85K for singles and $150K for families).

The City is currently reviewing AHO programs and evaluating whether AHO can work in the Vancouver context. As part of work to advance multiplexes over the next year, staff are exploring the feasibility of an AHO program. Under this approach, at least one of the units in a multiplex would be required to be bought and sold at a below-market rate.

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