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In all we do, we remain committed to being good neighbours and working with the communities where we build. We look forward to working with you to realize our vision. Find out more about our proposed projects and share your thoughts below.

EC Living H-GO Applications

What is the Housing – Grade Oriented (H-GO) District?

In late 2022, Calgary City Council added the new Housing — Grade-Oriented (H-GO) District to Land Use Bylaw 1P2007 to address key regulatory and policy gaps related to certain forms of ‘Missing Middle’ housing in Calgary’s inner city communities. Like the existing Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill (R-CG) and Multi-Residential – Contextual Grade-Oriented (M-CG) Districts, the new H-GO District generally allows for multi-residential development of up to 3-storeys (12m) in a variety of forms, including rowhomes and townhomes, with direct ground-level access for all homes.

Unlike existing Districts, the new H-GO District is specifically intended for amenity-rich inner city areas along higher order streets or close to Activity Centres, Main Streets and frequent transit service. Rather than a maximum number of units, the H-GO District limits maximum buildable floor area (up to 1.5x total site area). H-GO District rules also allow for stacked units and lower overall parking requirements based on proximity to frequent transit service and the provision of alternative mobility storage options.

For more information about the H-GO District and other recent Land Use Bylaw changes related to greater housing choice in our city, The City of Calgary has created an information-rich online resource available here.

  • ’Missing Middle’ housing refers to a broad range of 2 to 3 storey buildings with multiple units and a variety of unit sizes, located in walkable inner city neighborhoods with easy access to transit, amenities and daily needs. This type of housing is typically ‘Missing’ from many of Calgary’s neighbourhoods because it has been historically restricted by strict zoning regulations and parking requirements. In terms of form, scale, density and affordability, this form of housing sits in the ‘Middle’ of the development spectrum — between single-detached or semi-detached homes and mid-to-high-rise apartment buildings.

    Since 2015, The City of Calgary has continuously evolved the Land Use Bylaw to address the need for greater housing choice and the general lack of ‘Missing Middle’ housing in our city. These changes have been primarily aimed at solving the mismatch between available housing stock and shifting demographic needs, including the ever-growing market demand for more diverse ground-oriented housing in amenity-rich inner city communities.

  • In recent years, the emergence and market interest in ‘Missing Middle’ housing, both locally and nationally, has been driven by:

    • Significant market demand for housing options with a front door in desirable and amenity-rich inner city communities.

    • A generally low supply of both vintage and new / modern ‘Missing Middle’ housing options within inner city communities.

    • A shift in market demand towards purpose-built-rental options over traditional home ownership, driven by both relative affordability and lifestyle flexibility.

    • An increase in market demand for relatively more affordable and smaller units (i.e. less than 500ft2), without an on-site parking stall where convenient alternative mobility options are available (i.e. Uber, carshare, transit, biking, walking).

    • Attractive construction funding opportunities from Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation aimed at tackling Canada’s housing shortage and encouraging the development of ‘Missing Middle’ housing, with associated project requirements (i.e. minimum number of units and minimum levels of affordability).

    • Fundamental land development economics related to land prices, construction costs, minimum return-on-investment, and what the market can afford.

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