By Tan Mei Xi
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A recent report has a novel approach to a classic problem in Vancouver's housing policy: increasing density in Vancouver's single-family neighbourhoods.

For Bruce Haden, housing advocate and board member of the non-profit Urbanarium, one of the key solutions to Vancouver's housing crisis is developing 'Missing Middle' housing. The 'Missing Middle', according to Haden, refers to housing types between condominiums and single-family homes, such as townhomes, rowhomes, courtyard apartments, and other multi-family housing types.

According to the Vancouver Sun, about 80 per cent of Metro Vancouver's residential land area is zoned for single-family housing. Under this zoning type, multi-family housing units are illegal.

"People are starting to see the real costs associated with not having the right kind of housing," said Haden.

"There are people now who have lived comfortably in their west-side family homes. And now suddenly, their kids can't afford to live anywhere close to them... Some of these costs are visceral," he added.