Rethinking Housing for the Next Generation of Farmers

Context

These models often pool access to farmland, equipment, and machinery to lower start-up investments and operating costs. However, they overlook one critical aspect: access to housing.

Canada is currently experiencing a housing crisis, and new farmers are among those most affected. The seasonal nature of their work and relatively low wages place them in precarious employment situations. At the same time, the significant investments needed to start their farm limit the portion of income available for housing. Because farmers must live close to their place of production—both to respond quickly to weather events and to care for livestock—their housing options are often very limited.

Project objectives 

This action research project aims to support three Québec regions—the municipality of Saint-Camille and the RCMs of Les Basques and Témiscouata—in a process of co-creation, prototyping, and experimenting with affordable housing solutions that meet the specific needs of new farmers, while also respecting housing and land use planning regulations.

In collaboration with Habitations Canopée, this project seeks to rethink: 1) residential development, by involving aspiring farmers from the early design stages of housing projects; 2) housing finance, to create financial models tailored to the limited capacity of new farmers; 3) ways of living, by rethinking residential uses, layouts, and living spaces; and 4) ownership models, to expand access to affordable housing for the next generation of farmers.