"Missing Middle" Housing

Market Analysis:

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 “Missing Middle” - Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) report, October 23, 2025

Missing Middle is a broad term for gentle-to-medium-density housing types such as accessory suites, multiplexes, row homes, stacked townhouses and low-rise apartments. These housing types are often underrepresented in new supply.

Missing Middle housing is important as it provides a layer of supply that can be delivered within existing neighborhoods. It can often be faster to develop — especially when rezoning isn’t needed — and requires less capital investment than larger projects. It broadens housing choices for families who can’t afford single-detached homes and find high-rise apartments do not offer enough space for their needs.

Stakeholders, particularly policymakers at the municipal government level, working to encourage this kind of development, can benefit from understanding its prevalence in their communities. They can also gain insights into what built form it takes, its location and the reasons behind regional differences.

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