Northern Ont. town looking at tiny homes to address housing crisis
The Town of Blind River is looking at using tiny homes to create smaller and more affordable housing in the community.
An undated file photo of a community of tiny homes. (CTV News)
A report headed to the town council on Monday evening examines the potential of tiny homes within the municipality and looks at bylaws that may be required to ensure their success.
In Ontario, a tiny home must be 188 square feet or larger, have a living/sleeping area, a bathroom with a shower or bath and a cooking area with running water. Building permits are also still required for tiny homes.
Several communities in the province, both rural and urban, have had to amend their bylaws to make way for the construction of tiny homes and on May 21 Blind River will consider doing the same.
"This is something that has been discussed and the next steps of course will be that they will bring the recommendations to our bylaw committee for them to agree to,” said Blind River Mayor Sally Hagman.
“There's the steps that have to be followed but this is a recipe that is laid out clearly and the sky's the limit as to what happens after that."
Hagman has expressed her support for the idea of tiny homes in the community but added that changes to the town’s official plan have to be agreed by council.
Town staff is recommending council move forward with the process for allowing tiny homes.
The full report can be found here.
Blind River town council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on May 21 to discuss the report report as part of its regular meeting agenda.
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