In the search for funding from the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund, Thurlow Ward councillor Paul Carr will be introducing a motion calling on the City of Belleville to support the idea of a “fourplex.”
A fourplex is a residential building with four distinct housing units. As of now, the maximum number of housing units allowed on a property is three.
Carr says it is important that the City of Belleville be aggressive and progressive when it comes to housing.
“We weren’t successful on our recent application (to the Housing Accelerator Fund) and with the federal government’s announcement today regarding a number of housing initiatives, including adding more money to the Housing Accelerator Fund, I think it’s imperative that Belleville send the message that we’re supportive of four units as of right, subject to design conditions and things of that nature,” Councillor Carr tells Quinte News.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his government’s 28-page strategy to address housing in the country at an event in Vaughn, Ont. on Friday promising to tackle the spectrum of housing affordability challenges.
Part of the action items in the strategy include a previously-announced requirement that provinces adopt a policy allowing four units as of right.
The federal government also put provinces, territories and municipalities on notice that they too will need to step up.
On April 3, Premier Doug Ford stated he would not force municipalities into the policy and that he would let them decide if four units as of right would be the best way moving forward.
Carr says city staff are already looking into the theory of the fourplex.
“I’ve actually seen some designs and some photos of fourplexes in other communities and quite honestly, when I took the first look at it, I thought it was a duplex, but in fact, it was a fourplex. So it just goes to show you that with the the right design criteria, which we would have a little bit more control of at the local level, we could fit four units on a property and allow it to integrate,” Carr said.
Carr says he has been speaking with his colleagues and believes he will get support for the motion.
“I would say that based on past decisions of this council, with respect to housing, we collectively have been very progressive and I can see that continuing,” Carr said.
“I’m confident that my colleagues will see the support in that. I’ve had conversations with Mayor (Neil) Ellis along the way and certainly appreciate the guidance and the support he’s provided me as well. So collectively, I think we can get there for sure.”
The motion will be brought forward to Belleville City Council on Monday.
With files from the Canadian Press
