Practice guides & toolkits

Read more about the practice guides

Community members stand working on a public mural in an outdoor space - a great example of a building social connections in a multi-unit building.

Practice Guide #1: Supporting residents to become community connectors in multi-unit housing

January 30, 2023
This guide explores many relatively easy things that residents, landlords, housing operators, community organizations, and governments can do to support residents in making activities and social connectedness happen.
A montage of photos showing neighbours doing interesting events, facilitated by landlords and owners.

Practice Guide #2: Landlord- and housing operator-led approaches to growing community in multi-unit housing

February 6, 2023
This guide explores many relatively easy things that residents, landlords, housing operators, community organizations, and governments can do to support residents in making activities and social connectedness happen.
A group of neighbours meets to workshop some neighbourhood bonding ideas.

Practice Guide #3: Developing organizational partnerships to build community in multi-unit housing

February 14, 2023
Third in a series of four guides from Hey Neighbour Collective about strategies and practices to increase neighbour-to-neighbour connections and social resilience among residents living in multi-unit housing.
Building Resilient Neighbourhoods connect & prepare workshop.

Practice Guide #4: Roles for Local Government in Strengthening Social Connectedness and Resilience Activities in Multi-unit Housing

February 23, 2023
Fourth in a series of four guides from Hey Neighbour Collective about strategies and practices to increase neighbour-to-neighbour connections and social resilience among residents living in multi-unit housing.
A montage of illustrations show people interacting.

Practice Guide: Learning from the community connectors

March 28, 2023
Practice guide for implementing resident-led social programming in multi-unit rental housing.

Read more about the toolkits

The cover image for the Age-friendly edition of the Building Social Connections toolkit.

‘Age-Friendly Edition’ of the Building Social Connections toolkit

May 27, 2025
Designing multi-unit housing to support wellbeing at all ages and life stages.
Wide, exterior walkways at Driftwood Village Cohousing in North Vancouver are lined with differently coloured doorways, windows, plants, and seating.

Designing Socially Connected Homes – small changes to make a big difference

November 26, 2024
This article, co-authored by Emma Avery (Urban Planner & Communications Specialist, Happy Cities) and Tara Fernando (Strategic Communications Specialist, Hey Neighbour Collective), originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of…
An line drawing illustration showing groups of people socializing in and in front of a multi-unit building.

Building Social Connections: Toolbox of design actions to nurture wellbeing in multi-unit housing

August 1, 2024
Our neighbours are our closest source of social support and connection. Socially connected homes and neighbourhoods nurture greater physical and mental health, community resilience, and social trust between diverse residents. …
Happy Cities releases Together, Apart toolkit

Happy Cities releases Together, Apart toolkit

March 26, 2021
We worked with Happy Cities to develop a guidebook of engagement ideas to help people stay connected during times of physical distancing.