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Abstract
Escalating land costs in recent years have raised the price of market homes beyond the means of the average first-time home buyer. While smaller units, higher densities, and locations from the city center offer a way to provide affordable housing, these units often tend to compromise certain common perceptions of living comfort, privacy, and independence generally associated with home ownership. Following the construction of 1000 14-foot wide rowhousing units in and around Montreal, a survey was conducted to determine the degree to which the units were able to accommodate the buyers’ functional requirements and personal expectations. Also investigated were the tradeoffs made by the occupants, willingly or for lack of choice, with respect to the occupants’ former dwellings. The units were found to be an improvement for the majority of occupants in most of the attributes tested, and satisfaction levels were generally high. There was a strong willingness from the buyers to accept smaller homes, higher densities, and suburban locations, provided certain aspects of building quality and territorial definition were maintained.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Avi Friedman
Dr. Avi Friedman is founder and director of the Affordable Homes Programs at the McGill University School of Architecture in Montreal.
Vince Cammalleri
Mr. Vince Cammalleri, B. Arch., M. Eng. is a Dow Canada research associate with the program.