As Wellington, Waterloo and Halton Regions continue to face an affordable housing crisis, the spotlight is increasingly turning to multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) as a practical, scalable, and community-driven solution. In particular, 5–30 unit buildings are gaining momentum among not-for-profit organizations, co-housing initiatives, and forward thinking private developers, which are now better positioned than ever to pursue these developments thanks to targeted government support.
At the federal level, programs administered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) are playing a major role. New grants and financing tools are making these small-to-mid-scale residential projects not only feasible, but financially sustainable over the long term—especially when they are built to high energy efficiency standards.
So, why this particular scale of housing—and why now?
The “Missing Middle” of Housing
In urban and suburban areas across the country, there’s a well-documented shortage of what’s often called “missing middle” housing—small apartment buildings, walk-ups, or clustered townhome-style dwellings that fall between single-family homes and high-rise towers. These buildings are more adaptable to established neighborhoods, less expensive to build per unit than large towers, and easier to maintain for small developers and non-profits.
MURBs in the 5–30 unit range offer a sweet spot: enough density to be cost-effective, but small enough to integrate into communities without overwhelming existing infrastructure or character.
This scale also aligns well with the capacity of not-for-profits, who often own or acquire smaller parcels of land, and whose missions prioritize livability, accessibility, and wraparound support for tenants. When paired with energy-efficient, high-performance design, these buildings can provide safe, healthy, and sustainable homes for generations.
The Role of Building Science in Affordable Housing
Many of the CMHC grants and loans come with performance-based incentives, rewarding projects that reduce energy use, improve thermal comfort, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. For organizations looking to make their funding go further, this creates a clear incentive to partner with teams experienced in high-performance building science.
At Frontiers Design Build, we specialize in exactly that.
With Certified Passive House Consultants and Tradespeople on staff, we provide construction management that brings deep technical knowledge into every phase—from pre-construction modeling to on-site execution. We don’t just oversee construction; we help shape buildings that meet or exceed the performance targets tied to crucial funding sources.
Recent Projects: Putting Principles Into Practice
Take, for example, the Wyndham House supportive housing project in Guelph. This development reimagines a century-old lodging house into a 10-bedroom residence designed for youth who need low-barrier housing and social support. Beyond the building’s programmatic goals, the renovation includes accessibility upgrades and energy retrofits that will dramatically reduce its operational footprint while improving comfort for residents.
Or consider the Watershed Co-Housing development, which embraces a Passive House-inspired approach to community living. Designed for aging-in-place and collective ownership, the project blends new construction with the careful preservation of an existing home. The complexity of site servicing, building integration, and zoning compliance was managed through early-stage collaboration—something our team is deeply experienced in navigating.
Looking Ahead: Construction Management as a Strategic Partner
As interest in high-performance MURBs continues to grow, construction management is no longer just about “getting the job done.” It’s about strategic alignment with design teams, funders, municipalities, and community partners to deliver buildings that are thoughtful, resilient, and fiscally responsible.
We see every project as an opportunity to raise the bar—for quality, comfort, and performance—and we’re proud to work with organizations that are building not just housing, but lasting community infrastructure.
If you’re a developer, architect, or not-for-profit organization exploring how to bring your affordable housing vision to life, we’d love to talk.
Contact us today to learn more about these community-led projects.
Learn more about High Performance Homes, and understand why you deserve one.
