North Grenville hoping tiny homes can help ease growing housing shortage
Rural municipality has funding through federal Housing Accelerator Fund
The Municipality of North Grenville and United Counties of Leeds and Grenville are considering "additional residential units" (ARUs) including tiny homes as the answer to the rural region's current housing shortage.
According to North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford, an influx of new residents moved to rural areas including hers during the pandemic, adding pressure to local housing markets.
That, coupled with the high cost of buying or renting a home, has made it harder to find a place to live, forcing some to move.
"It's really heartbreaking because we know that people really want to stay close to home. They want their parents to not have to be forced to relocate outside of the community," Peckford said.
What are ARUs?
The eastern Ontario municipality hosted an information session at the end of March to inform residents about ARUs, as well as any funding opportunities.
Amy Martin, North Grenville's director of planning and development, said ARUs can include basement apartments, lofts above garages, additions to existing homes, and small detached structures such as a "granny shed" or tiny homes.
They're fully formed, livable homes — just smaller.
"We've seen a trend towards smaller dwelling units, both as a principal dwelling and as a secondary dwelling unit on a property. So … smaller spaces with less maintenance," Martin said.
The municipality's zoning bylaw allows up to two ARUs on a property. Other requirements include parking on the same driveway, a safe exit and a maximum square footage no larger than half that of the primary residence.
Are tiny units the answer?
Carolyn Whitzman, a housing and social policy researcher and adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa, said it's not surprising that the rural municipality is promoting ARUs.
"It's all hands on deck, and tiny homes are part of the solution, particularly in small towns," Whitzman said. "I'd say that they aren't necessarily the most efficient use of space in big cities."
The municipality agrees, and doesn't expect residents of larger centres such as Kemptville to accommodate certain kinds of ARUs or "accessory dwellings" on their property.
"The reality is, 10,000 of our residents live in more rural settings, so they can comfortably accommodate an accessory dwelling," Peckford said. "Whereas in town maybe you're looking at … more like a granny suite in your basement."
Whitzman said the idea has been encouraged nearby such as in Renfrew County.
"Everyone's looking for solutions," Whitzman said.
Funding programs offer support
North Grenville has secured funding through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to help support people in the region that are interested in ARUs.
Peckford said the municipality is using the money to work on establishing three permit-approved, pre-designed ARU options for potential builders as a way to help cut down on design costs.
"In fact, if you decide to build a secondary suite within your home in a second structure, there is in fact the possibility of getting some offsets for the construction cost," Peckford said.
According to the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, the maximum eligible funding for homeowners looking to build an ARU is $25,000. Landlords can access up to $50,000.
Both Martin and Peckford are encouraging anyone who's considering building an ARU to reach out to North Grenville's planning department to see what's possible on their property.
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With files from CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning