October 30, 2023 | Announcements
Burlington Approves Fourplex Housing to Ease the Crisis
In a significant move to address the ongoing housing crisis in Burlington, Ontario, city council members united in a unanimous vote today. The motion permits the construction of fourplex residential properties across the city. The proposal, championed by Ward 4 councillor Shawna Stolte and Ward 3 councillor Rory Nisan, aims to bolster the city’s housing inventory while preserving its distinctive aesthetic appeal, as emphasized by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward on her official website.
This decision aligns closely with the conditions set for the approval of Housing Accelerator Fund applications. The city of Burlington submitted its application on August 18th, requesting $40 million in federal funding to support new fourplex and other housing initiatives. Councillor Stolte underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “All parts of Canada, including Burlington, are in the midst of a housing crisis.” She reminded council that on June 21, 2022, Burlington City Council unanimously endorsed the city’s first housing strategy, outlining 12 pivotal actions to shape the city’s overall housing vision.
The 12 Key Housing Actions
Of these 12 actions, three stand out prominently: fostering a robust rental housing market, promoting a diverse range of housing types and styles, and increasing public awareness and capacity around housing solutions. While the new fourplex properties may be comparatively compact, they hold real promise for improving affordability. This contributes to a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community, as highlighted in the motion.
A Personal Take on the Housing Crisis
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward shared a personal perspective on the situation, stating, “I have three kids in their 20s who are still living at home. Personally, I love it. But they don’t have a choice. There’s nowhere for them to go and even if there was, they couldn’t afford it.” Her remarks underscored the urgent need to address affordability and availability in Burlington.
To prevent the emergence of vacant “ghost neighbourhoods,” characterized by empty houses or apartments, Mayor Meed Ward stressed the importance of ensuring residents actually occupy these new fourplex units.
What’s Next for Burlington’s Fourplex Rollout
In the next phase of this initiative, council members will work with city staff and engage the community to determine the best methods for accommodating these new fourplex properties. This includes integrating them into municipal bylaws, part of a broader effort to build a more accessible and dynamic housing landscape in Burlington. We’ll keep you updated as this fourplex initiative continues to develop.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about how this fourplex approval may affect you, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Burlington City Council unanimously approved a motion permitting the construction of four-unit residential properties across the city, aimed at boosting housing supply and affordability.
It’s a federal funding program Burlington applied to on August 18th, requesting $40 million to support housing initiatives, including the new four-unit residential property approval.
While all 12 actions guide the city’s housing vision, three stand out most: building a stronger rental housing market, promoting diverse housing types, and increasing public awareness around housing solutions.
Mayor Meed Ward emphasized that new housing units need to be occupied by residents, not left vacant, to ensure the initiative actually improves availability and affordability in Burlington.
Council members will work with city staff and the community to determine how to integrate these new housing units into municipal bylaws and support their rollout across the city.
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