Small Housing
Small Housing BC is a Vancouver-based nonprofit that helps transform single-detached neighborhoods into gentle density communities by serving BC planners, industry professionals, and homeowners with policy toolkits, design resources, a CPD-accredited Academy, and the Gentle Density Network community.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Small Housing does
Small Housing BC is a registered nonprofit society headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with a mission to transform single-detached neighborhoods into gentle density communities. The organization serves three distinct customer segments: government planners and municipal officials navigating housing policy reform, industry professionals (builders, designers, contractors) seeking implementation guidance, and homeowners considering small-scale development of their properties.
The organization's core offerings center on a content and education platform. The Gentle Density Toolbox functions as an online resource hub aggregating Sample Designs, Case Studies, and Homeowner Developers Resources. The Small Housing Academy delivers CPD-accredited online courses, establishing a credentialing pathway for practitioners. The Gentle Density Network provides a collaborative community spanning the three customer segments. In parallel, the organization publishes Position Papers and Guidance Documents and, in 2025, released an SSMUH Bylaw Toolkit to support municipal implementation of British Columbia's small-scale multi-unit housing legislation under Bill 44.
Small Housing BC's business model combines consulting and advisory services to government and industry clients with recurring revenue from Academy course fees. Distribution is multi-channel — website, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, newsletter, and events — designed to reach planners, industry, and homeowners across BC. Operations are scoped entirely within British Columbia, aligning the organization's revenue and influence tightly with the province's housing policy environment.
Small Housing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Small Housing
- Legal name
- Small Housing BC
- Website
- https://smallhousing.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Small Housing BC is a Vancouver-based nonprofit that helps transform single-detached neighborhoods into gentle density communities by serving BC planners, industry professionals, and homeowners with policy toolkits, design resources, a CPD-accredited Academy, and the Gentle Density Network community.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Small Housing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Housing Policy Consulting
- NAICS
- Other Community Housing Services (624229)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)
Keywords
Where Small Housing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Small Housing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Consulting and Advisory Services: Provides research, guidance, and consulting services to governments, industry, and homeowners for implementing gentle density housing solutions.
- Small Housing Academy Training: BC-specific, CPD-accredited online courses for builders, designers, contractors, and building officials. Courses eligible for continuing education credits from BC Housing, Architecture Institute of BC, and Building Officials Association of BC.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Training Courses |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Small Housing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Small Housing BC is a non-profit advocacy organization that helps transform single-detached neighbourhoods into gentle density communities through research, guidance, consulting, and educational resources. It provides BC-specific policy and bylaw toolkits (including SSMUH/Bill 44 guidance), CPD-accredited professional training courses, an online resource library, and direct advisory services to local governments, builders, designers, contractors, and homeowners pursuing laneway homes, secondary suites, and infill multi-unit housing.
Product overview
Small Housing BC is a non-profit organization offering a suite of products and services focused on gentle density housing advocacy and implementation. The core offerings include the Gentle Density Toolbox (an online resource hub with tools and guides), Small Housing Academy (CPD-accredited training courses for building professionals), and the Gentle Density Network (a collaborative community platform). Supporting resources include sample designs, case studies, homeowner developer guides, and policy guidance documents covering SSMUH bylaws, ownership models, and offsite construction. Services are delivered to three primary audiences: Planners, Industry professionals, and Homeowners, providing research, consulting, and resources for implementing housing solutions like laneway homes, backyard cottages, secondary suites, and infill multi-unit housing (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Gentle Density Toolbox: Online resource platform containing tools, knowledge, and community support for gentle density housing implementation.
- Small Housing Academy
Products and services
- Gentle Density Toolbox
Quantifiable outcome
- Since 2024, most BC lots allow 3-4 units without rezoning and up to 6 near transit
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Small Housing
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Small Housing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Small Housing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Small Housing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC: Industry association representing residential builders and renovators in BC, providing training, advocacy, and member resources. Comparable as a BC-wide industry body offering training and resources to builders, with overlap on continuing education for residential construction.
- BC Housing: Provincial crown corporation that develops, administers, and funds affordable housing across BC. Comparable as the dominant housing resource and policy implementation body in BC; a potential partner but also a competitor if it expands internal training and advisory offerings on SSMUH.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Canada's federal housing agency providing research, funding, and policy frameworks for housing affordability and supply. Comparable as a major source of housing research, policy guidance, and capacity-building resources that overlap with Small Housing BC's advisory and resource function.
- BC Non-Profit Housing Association: Larger BC-wide association representing the non-profit housing sector, providing policy advocacy, research, and sector capacity-building. Comparable as a non-profit housing advocacy and resource organization operating province-wide, though with broader social housing focus versus gentle density specifically.
Emerging players
- Generation Squeeze: Canadian non-profit advocating for generational equity and addressing housing affordability through policy research and public engagement. Comparable as a non-profit housing advocacy organization focused on affordability and policy reform, though national in scope rather than BC-specific.
Others
- Building Officials Association of BC: Professional association for building officials in BC that accredits continuing education and supports code enforcement training. Comparable as a CPD-accrediting partner in Small Housing BC's Academy and a key audience for SSMUH-related training content.
- Architectural Institute of British Columbia: Professional regulatory body for architects in BC that accredits continuing education and provides practice resources. Comparable as a CPD-accrediting body referenced in Small Housing BC's Academy and as a partner in delivering building professional training in BC.
Direct peers
- Abundant Housing Canada: National umbrella for Abundant Housing chapters across Canada, advocating for zoning reform and gentle density at scale. Closely comparable in mission and advocacy playbook, with stronger national reach but less depth on BC-specific bylaws and training.
- Smart Growth BC: BC-based non-profit advocating for smarter land use, complete communities, and increased housing supply through policy reform. Comparable as a BC-focused advocacy non-profit working with municipal governments on housing-related land use and zoning policy.
- Abundant Housing Vancouver: A volunteer-led housing advocacy organization in Metro Vancouver pushing for zoning reform to enable more housing types including gentle density. Highly comparable as a BC-focused advocacy group addressing similar SSMUH-style policy goals and engaging planners and homeowners.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Small Housing social profiles
Digital presenceSmall Housing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Small Housing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Small Housing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Small Housing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Small Housing
What does Small Housing do?
Small Housing BC is a non-profit advocacy organization that helps transform single-detached neighbourhoods into gentle density communities through research, guidance, consulting, and educational resources. It provides BC-specific policy and bylaw toolkits (including SSMUH/Bill 44 guidance), CPD-accredited professional training courses, an online resource library, and direct advisory services to local governments, builders, designers, contractors, and homeowners pursuing laneway homes, secondary suites, and infill multi-unit housing.
Is Small Housing a public or private company?
Small Housing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Small Housing founded?
Small Housing was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Small Housing based?
Small Housing is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Small Housing make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consulting and Advisory Services are the primary driver. The others are small Housing Academy Training.
Who are Small Housing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Canadian Home Builders' Association of BC, BC Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and BC Non-Profit Housing Association. Generation Squeeze is listed as an emerging player. Others are Building Officials Association of BC and Architectural Institute of British Columbia. Direct peers are Abundant Housing Canada, Smart Growth BC and Abundant Housing Vancouver.
Does Small Housing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Small Housing.
What industry is Small Housing in?
Small Housing's product category is Housing Policy Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts), with a secondary code of BPAIANAA, Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing). Its NAICS code is 624229 and its SIC code is 7340.