Why Laneway House are Gaining More Popularity in Vancouver

Like many other densely populated urban cities, Vancouver has grappled with housing affordability problems for decades. About a decade ago, Vancouver city council created a charter to mitigate the housing shortage in the city. Laneway housing was on top of the list of solutions adopted for the charter. Since their introduction, laneway houses have become quite popular in Vancouver. A laneway house is a space-efficient building erected at the back end of a developed lot. 

The History of Laneway house in Vancouver

Laneway houses were first introduced as part of Mayor Sam Sullivan’s EcoDensity initiative in 2008. The aim of the initiative was to help reduce the cost of living, and provide more housing space in urban neighborhoods, without causing families and neighborhoods to lose their unique character.

The initiative has since been defunct, but it has left behind a lasting legacy in the form of an increasingly popular laneway house. The city council began rolling out the Laneway House Project as part of the EcoDensity Initiative in 2009. The project was implemented in collaboration with industry leaders such as BC Hydro Power Smart, Fortin Terasen Gas, VerTech Solution, MRS Innovation, Pulse Energy and Simon Fraser University. Together with the Vancouver City council, these collaborators helped provide expertise and source materials and labor for the project. 

Why Laneway Houses is Growing Popular in Vancouver

Additional living space for new family members

Many homes in  Vancouver house multi-generational families. Laneway houses provide an ideal way to extend the living space in a house for adult children to start off their independent life, and for retiring elderly who want to live independently but close enough to family and friends.

A cost-effective housing option for retirees

Laneway houses make for lower utility bills, little or no mortgages, and minimal maintenance needs. As such, they’re an ideal option for retirees who don’t have the income they had at their disposal during working days. With a laneway house, retirees can easily afford to stay in the neighborhood or community of their choice.

Additional income stream for homeowners

A Laneway house is also popular in Vancouver because of the income stream they can generate for homeowners. home owners can rent their laneway house to renters or vacationers to create an additional steady income stream.

Increasing the value of a property

By adding to the utility and aesthetics of a custom house, a laneway house can significantly add to the value of a custom house and also enhance the house’s re-saleability.

Increasing affordable rental housing

True to the initial purpose they were created for, a laneway house remains a viable option for increasing the affordable rental housing space in dense urban neighborhoods.

Energy efficiency

With a laneway house, you get to minimize your carbon footprints significantly. This can help you save up on utility bills and also qualify for energy efficiency incentives offered in Vancouver.

Conclusion

Laneway houses continue to surge in popularity as Vancouver city continues to seek out more space-efficient, cost-effective housing options. Silvercrest Custom house and Renovations are custom house builders who’re well-versed in laneway house plans and designs.