Bygda Builders

The Village Builders

We help build vibrant Canadian communities.

What we do - we build!

  • Housing
  • Community
  • Local capital
  • Local charities

New high quality rental apartments in small and medium-sized communities.

Community-supported: only what the existing community wants, needs, and supports.

Community-building: more neighbour to neighbour engagement, more vibrant communities.

Income to local investors.  Net proceeds to local charities.

Why we do it

Our social purpose

Bygdda is a social-purpose company. The goal of Bygda is not to make profit, it is to help build communities.

We believe that many communities struggle to attract and retain residents because of a lack of suitable rental accomodation.  This is especially relevant to services like healthcare, education and construction and leads to less vibrant, less self-sufficient communities with less ability to 'look after their own'.

We also believe that many established residents of these communities are keen to be support initiatives that build their community but they struggle to find a financially-viable way to channel their energies productively. 

 

  • High quality rental housing
  • Affordable and accessible
  • Attract and retain residents
  • Build and retain capital in the community
  • Build community engagement and agency
  • Fund local charities for the future

How we do it

  • Small buildings
  • High quality
  • Accessible units
  • Suitable for singles, couples and sharing
  • Ideal for young workers, couples, and retirees
  • Entirely modular process and construction
  • Repeatable, scaleable process

Bygda is ensures that its buildings are properly managed and maintained and contribute to their communities and therefore will be a longterm owner of the buildings.

If Bygda sells a building it will a) repay the Village Builders, and b) donate to a local charity an amount equal to the the investment by the Village Builders.

We handle all development and construction, at our financial risk.

After completion and occupancy, our buildings are supported by local 'Village Builders'.

Village Builders are members of the local community who make a 5-year investment (this is a loan, not a gift or charitable donation). Usually 10-20 people, they collectively invest 10-20% of the value of the building.  These investors receive regular interest on their investment at very attractive rates (mortgage rates not GIC rates) and full repayment of principal  at the end of 5 years (they can extend if they wish).

We also encourage Village Builders to take an active role in supporting their neighbours and their town; we provide regular updates on the building and social gatherings for Village Builders and tenants.

Help build your village

You can help build your community and we want to help you do it. 

We welcome contributions and support of all levels.

Energy and enthusiasam are more important than money, although we welcome money too.

If you think your community would benefit from a Bygda building, want to invest or help us work with other engaged members of your community, please reach out.  We would love to hear from you.

Who we are

Neil Milton

The power of villages

I am the founder of Bygda Builders. I am passionate about building communities - which obviously includes buildings but also the people in them, and their sense of self and purpose.  

Small and medium-sized towns in Canada need people and housing but most importantly, they need a little help to regain their mojo.  

I was born and raised in a small town in eastern Ontario, and I fully appreciate the value of real community and the ability of small communities to make big things happen when people work together.  I am not a believer that we should all wait for 'someone else to do something'.  I am a believer that real communities are built by local folks who take action to meet the challenges before them.

I have had almost ridiculously good fortune at almost every stage of my life.  Bygda is an effort to make a sustainable difference and to give back in a truly impactful way to communities of all sizes across Ontario and Canada.

I want to help your village do great things, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact Bygda Builders
Name

© Copyright - Bygda Builders Inc. - All Rights Reserved 2026

Bygda Builders Inc.  200-15 Fitzgerald Road, Ottawa, ON  K2H 9G1.  Tel. 613.567.4689  nmilton@miltonsip.com