It's the end of the year, and like every multiplex developer in Toronto, we've spent the last twelve months navigating a system that says it wants more housing but makes it remarkably difficult to build. So in the spirit of the season, here's our wish list.
1. Permit Timelines That Match "As-of-Right"
If a multiplex project complies with zoning — no variances, no rezoning, fully as-of-right — the permit should take weeks, not months. The whole point of as-of-right is speed. Toronto, please deliver on the promise.
2. A Tree Bylaw That Acknowledges Housing
We love trees. We design around them. But when a single tree can delay a fourplex by six months and add $50,000 in costs, something is wrong. Give us a clear, fast process that balances urban canopy with the urgent need for family housing.
3. Toronto Hydro Fast-Track for Multiplexes
A completed multiplex building sitting empty for months waiting for electrical connection is absurd. Create a dedicated stream for as-of-right multiplex projects. Set a 60-day maximum from application to energization. Fund it if you have to — the housing is worth it.
4. Development Charges That Reflect the Scale
A fourplex is not a condo tower. The development charges structure should reflect the reality that multiplex housing is smaller-scale, lower-impact, and exactly the kind of development the city says it wants. Reduce the per-unit charges for multiplex projects and watch the economics improve overnight.
5. A Public Dashboard for Multiplex Progress
Toronto has committed to building more missing middle housing. So let's track it. A public dashboard showing multiplex applications, approvals, construction starts, and completions would create accountability and help everyone — builders, residents, and policymakers — understand what's actually happening.
The Bigger Picture
None of these asks are radical. They're practical changes that would remove friction from a process the city itself created. Toronto opened the door to multiplex housing in 2023. Three years later, the door is open but the hallway is full of obstacles.
At NBRS, we're building despite the obstacles. FAMILY 1 is proof it can be done. But imagine how many more families could be housed if the system worked with builders instead of against them.
Here's to a 2026 where multiplex housing in Toronto gets a little easier to build. Partner with us to make it happen, or join our waitlist to be part of the change.