A Canadian family found an unusual solution to the housing crisis

With the federal budget set to be presented next week, affordability concerns continue to weigh on Canadian families. Many households are being forced to find creative solutions to deal with rising costs.

A family from North Delta in British Columbia shows one approach to saving money. Caitlin Higgins, along with her children — 3-year-old Oliver and 5-year-old Gabriel — regularly bakes sourdough bread at home.

"The cost (at the store) is, you know, four or five dollars a loaf. And my kids eat so much bread," Higgins explains.

Changing Consumer Habits

The family has had to rethink their shopping habits. Juice is now considered a luxury, and the kids make do with milk and water. Even trips to Costco looking for lower prices don't always pay off.

"We walk out with a $600 grocery bill, and that's with me saying 'no' to most things we don't really need," Higgins notes.

According to her, fuel and groceries have become the main expenses putting the biggest strain on the family budget.

An Unconventional Housing Solution

The Higgins family is in a unique situation for Metro Vancouver — they own their home. Three generations of the family live on what used to be a single lot. Caitlin's in-laws tore down their 1980s house and built four smaller homes, allowing their adult children to stay close by.

Making the project happen required years of effort navigating red tape and convincing neighbors and city council. Family matriarch Cathleen Higgins even made a cardboard model of the future buildings to present to area residents.

"I showed people and said, 'What would you rather have? One big house or four small houses where each person, each owner pays their own taxes,'" she recalls.

Financial Pressure on the Younger Generation

Patrick, 32, the youngest son in the family, is grateful to his parents for an opportunity that many residents of one of Canada's most expensive regions don't have.

"A lot of people I know will probably be renting forever. They've been living in the same basement suite for the last 15 years," the young man notes.

Despite his housing advantage, Patrick feels the same financial squeeze as his neighbors. Even simple pleasures have gotten expensive — morning coffee with breakfast for two runs about $30.

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The family is hoping for relief at the grocery store and gas pump. Patrick wants the federal government to focus on stabilizing the economy and maintaining trade relations with the U.S.

The older family members want all levels of government to make it easier for Canadians who want to rethink how large single-home lots are used.

"The federal government could do a lot by providing tax breaks to people who redevelop their property," Cathleen believes.

Challenges for Seniors

The family also points to the difficulties facing elderly people living in condominiums. High strata fees are especially hard on people with fixed or limited incomes.

"Especially in buildings with elevators — elevator maintenance is huge. If you're older and you have mobility issues, if you can't do stairs, then the elevator needs repair, you're basically trapped," Cathleen explains.

As they await the government's fiscal plan, Canadian families continue searching for solutions to make everyday life more affordable, including:

• Unconventional approaches to housing
• Cutting costs on groceries and fuel
• Improving trade relations with the U.S.