Fourplexes could be coming to low-density neighbourhoods in Waterloo

City of Waterloo councillors unanimously supported a motion Monday night that would allow for the construction of fourplexes in the city.

Council directed staff to look at amending the bylaw to allow up to four residential units and four storeys in low-density areas without the need for a separate bylaw amendment permit.

Waterloo is the second municipality in Waterloo region to look into allowing the construction of fourplexes. The City of Kitchener passed a similar motion on Oct. 16. Guelph city council also discussed and passed a similar motion on Oct. 17.

Waterloo Ward 2 Coun. Royce Bodaly, who put the motion forward Monday, told council the city needs to look at different options to meet housing needs as the city and the region continues to grow.

"The truth is, there are so many incredible benefits that come with the astonishing growth we are seeing in our community, but it, of course, comes with challenges," he said. 

"While I do not believe the four-unit, four-storey is the solution for our affordable housing challenges, I do believe it's part of the solution."

Waterloo's population jumped by 15.7 per cent between 2016 and 2021 and is expected to grow by another 45 per cent to 185,000 people by 2051, according to a report that went before councillors Monday.

Waterloo pledged to build 16,000 new housing units by 2031 as part of the province's Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act.

'We can do much more'

Shiva Subramanian from Waterloo was a delegate at Monday night's meeting and applauded council for exploring different solutions to create more housing.

"While this crisis was not created by the current council, solving it firmly rests in your hands as our locally elected leaders," she said.

Nicholas Aboagye, a University of Waterloo student, also spoke in favour of the motion, but encouraged council to take bolder initiatives to tackle the housing crisis.

"We're currently doing is what is required, but we can do much more. We are doing this in part to become successful applicants to the federal government's accelerator housing fund," he said.

"But I do urge council to note of the fact that doing this, the bare minimum of what [federal] Housing Minister Sean Fraser is requesting of us, doesn't guarantee us a successful application."

Making it affordable for people 

Staff told councillors the motion gives them enough flexibility to explore different build options, which was something Coun. Sandra Hanmer said she was glad to hear.

"Initial reaction from some residents in my ward was, 'Oh my goodness. How are we going to do it in small cul-de-sacs?' with traffic being a concern," she said.

People had "good, genuine interest in increasing the density, but just wanted to make sure we're doing it in a safe an appropriate way so I look forward to the creativity when the report comes back to council," Hanmer said.

Coun. Jen Vasic also asked staff to look into ways the city can make this new incentive affordable for the community.

"I think we have a lot of people who want to live with family and we have more intergenerational homes, so how do we make this new tool accessible to more people is what I'm curious about," she said. 

Staff are expected to report back to council with recommendations in early 2024.