Environment Hamilton has a new, smart initiative to help increase the supply of potentially-affordable housing units. EH was one of a number of groups that opposed allowing Hamilton to expand beyond its present urban boundary. Now it is working to ensure we increase the density of housing within that boundary to keep up with population growth. Its latest focus is on secondary units—a basement or attic suite or a small home in the backyard.
Provincial law requires that secondary units be allowed on single-family lots. And Hamilton has approved the zoning changes and regulations to make it happen. There are some parking and space limits but basically, any single-family property owner has the right to add one indoor unit and one in a backyard. Some people need minor variances or small exemptions from the bylaw rules to add those units—and that’s creating a challenge. The Committee of Adjustment exists to approve such minor variances but has rejected several applications for secondary units, because of neighbours’ objections but counter to the city zoning bylaw.
Environment Hamilton is organizing people to write or, better, to appear before the Committee of Adjustment to support applications for secondary units. EH is checking agendas for upcoming hearings, writing model letters and making it easy for people to support proposals for more small—and thus, likely more affordable—housing units. Learn more and join this effort at https://www.environmenthamilton.org/planning_app_review_respond_team