The Rise of Multi-Generational Living in the GTA

Multi-generational living — families with grandparents, parents, and children sharing a property — is experiencing a resurgence across the Greater Toronto Area. What was once seen as a purely cultural tradition is now being embraced by families of all backgrounds as a practical, financial, and emotional choice in one of the world's most expensive housing markets.

The numbers tell the story. According to recent census data, multi-generational households are the fastest-growing household type in Canada. In the GTA, where average home prices remain above $1 million, the financial logic is straightforward: pooling resources allows families to live in better neighborhoods, build equity together, and reduce per-person housing costs significantly.

But multi-generational living only works when the physical space supports it. Three generations crammed into a standard three-bedroom house with one kitchen and one living room is a recipe for friction, no matter how much the family loves each other. The key is thoughtful design that balances togetherness with privacy.

Garden suites have emerged as the ideal solution for many GTA families. A self-contained unit in the backyard gives aging parents or adult children their own kitchen, bathroom, living space, and entrance — while keeping them steps away from the main house. It is independence without isolation, proximity without intrusion.

We have built garden suites for families approaching multi-generational living from both directions. Some are parents building a backyard unit for their aging mother who can no longer manage the stairs in her current home. Others are young couples building a garden suite on their parents' property because they cannot afford to buy in their preferred neighborhood. Both scenarios represent a practical, loving solution to the GTA's housing challenge.

For families who prefer to keep everyone under one roof, renovation is the other path. Adding a secondary suite to a basement, converting an upper floor into an independent apartment, or building an addition with a separate entrance — these projects create the private spaces that make multi-generational living sustainable long-term.

The financial benefits extend beyond shared living costs. A property with a legal secondary suite or garden suite generates rental income if the family arrangement changes. It adds significant resale value. And it provides a built-in option for aging in place — a growing priority as Canada's population ages and the cost of long-term care continues to rise.

Toronto's zoning changes have made all of this easier. Since 2022, most residential properties in Toronto can add a garden suite without a zoning variance. Provincial legislation allows secondary suites in most residential buildings. The regulatory barriers that once made multi-generational housing difficult are largely gone.

At Metrohomes, we work with families across the GTA to design multi-generational living solutions that work for everyone under the roof — or across the yard. Whether it is a garden suite, a basement conversion, or a full renovation with separate living quarters, the goal is the same: create a home where independence and togetherness coexist.