Associate Minister of Housing Nina Tangri and MPP Oosterhoff Tour Fonthill Secondary Dwelling Unit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2023

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham was pleased to welcome the Associate Minister of Housing Hon. Nina Tangri and MPP Sam Oosterhoff to tour a secondary dwelling unit on Wednesday, August 31, 2023.

The Town of Pelham passed By-law No.4371 and No. 4368 in 2021, which permits second-dwelling units to be built without requiring additional zoning approval or a request for variances as long as the unit is within specified floor areas and heights.

“Secondary dwelling units provide an additional opportunity for the Town to meet intensification targets through gentle intensification on existing residential properties,” explained Director of Planning and Development Barbara Wiens. “For the unit in Fonthill, we were able to issue a permit within 10 days of receiving the application. The Town remains dedicated to approving permits for these secondary dwelling units in a timely manner and hopes to see more units like this in the future.”

Flexobuild is a Niagara Region-based provider of residential housing units that can be assembled within a few days by using steel structural insulated panels. These units are designed to serve as both primary dwellings and as additional dwelling units.

“We are taking the housing crisis head-on by greatly simplifying the whole end-to-end process and execution of purchasing a new home. Using a robust continuous improvement program more commonly seen within the auto industry, we can also maintain affordability,” explained Flexobuild President and CEO Ray Joncas. “A simple consultation, confirmation of order, delivery and assembly can be ready for enjoyment within a few months."

MPP for Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff also toured the two-bedroom secondary dwelling unit, which has a floor plan of just over 567 square feet, alongside Regional Councillor Diana Huson, Pelham Deputy Mayor John Wink and Councillors Shellee Niznik, Wayne Olson, and Bob Hildebrandt.

"It was a great opportunity to have Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Housing, in Pelham to see how changes under Bill 23 are leading to an increase in the number of accessory dwelling units - a much-needed boost in our housing supply crisis," said MPP Oosterhoff. "I really appreciate the team at Niagara-based Flexobuild and the Town of Pelham for showing us what can be achieved to get housing built when people work together."

Residents can learn more about Pelham’s requirements for secondary dwelling units at www.pelham.ca/second-dwelling-units.

-30-

For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca

View a PDF of the release here.