ReHousing’s online resources and interactive platform help homeowners navigate the development process to convert single-family houses into multiplexes.
Have you ever considered living in a house with more than one unit? Whether you are looking to split the cost of buying, make some extra income to help with your mortgage payments, provide a family member with a more secure housing option, or have just more space than you need, a multiplex conversion may be the solution for you.
Multiplexes come in different shapes and sizes. Some are simple renovations — like converting a floor into a new unit — while others are more extensive and involve large additions, splitting your house into multiple units or adding a separate suite in the backyard.
With cities across the country changing zoning rules to allow more than one unit — often up to four or five — on a single-family lot, there is a significant new opportunity for homeowners and homebuyers to become citizen developers and contribute to addressing the housing shortage in our cities.
However, navigating the development process can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when you have never done it before. ReHousing is focused on making housing development more accessible for homeowners and empowering them to take on their own multiplex projects.
ReHousing is focused on making housing development more accessible for homeowners and empowering them to take on their own multiplex projects.
How ReHousing Started
ReHousing is a non-profit organization that started in 2022 as a research collaboration between the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, Tuf Lab and LGA Architectural Partners. The initial research explored the potential impact of the City of Toronto’s proposed Multiplex legislation and resulted in the development of a free design catalogue demonstrating four ways to add four units to 13 common house types in Toronto.
Since then, www.rehousing.ca has grown to become a resource hub for anyone interested in adding units to their property. The website offers sample floor plans, a getting started guide, a feasibility check guide and a construction catalogue — all for free.
A New Interactive Platform to Help You Get Started
As a semi-finalist in CMHC’s Housing Supply Challenge, ReHousing has spent the last year developing a new interactive platform, set to launch in Toronto in June 2025. With tools like the Property Analysis Tool — which lets users enter an address to get a high-level feasibility analysis and explore different ways to add units to their lot — and the Quick Budget Tool — which allows users to get a high-level cost estimate and make a basic proforma — the platform is designed to streamline the early stages of the development process. The goal is to empower citizen developers by providing clear insights into project options, costs and timelines, giving them the information they need to talk to banks to secure financing or start conversations with designers and contractors with a realistic understanding of what a project entails.
Small Projects, Big Impact
As more cities change their zoning regulations, ReHousing plans to expand beyond Toronto and expand and add resources with insights on small apartment buildings. We hope to empower a new cohort of housing creators who, with many small projects, can make big change in our cities.
Interested in learning more? Visit www.rehousing.ca to explore our resources and stay updated on the platform launch!
