The summer of 2021 brought hot weather and the hot topic of tiny homes to Kawartha Lakes. 

Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, roughly between Oshawa and Peterborough, is home to about 75,000 people and is not immune to the housing crisis that has been hitting all of the communities around Toronto. 

This summer, local resident, Peter Wallace, brought forward a petition that stated, “We the undersigned, petition the Council of the City of Kawartha Lakes to legalize the construction and full-time occupancy of tiny homes, both on foundations and on wheels, in our community through modification of existing zoning by-laws. We further ask that tiny homes be permitted as both secondary dwellings on properties with existing residential homes and as primary dwellings on vacant land.” The petition had 98 signatures. 

Summary of concerns listed on the petition:

  • We are in the middle of a housing crisis and homeownership is no longer an obtainable goal for a significant portion of the population.
  • The inability for many to achieve homeownership is eroding the middle class.
  • Tiny homes will never be the entire solution, but they offer a meaningful option for those interested in this form of living.
  • Tiny homes should exist as a legal option for those that want to build them safely.
  • Municipalities can benefit from the increased tax revenues by allowing tiny homes as accessory dwellings or on their own.
  • An infusion of young adults in the community, a welcome boost to the local economy for any town with an ageing population.
  • Increased access to affordable housing options particularly for single people or “empty nesters” who do not require a traditional family size home.
  • Increased supply of rental housing in the community.

This is not the only Ontario municipality taking a closer look at tiny houses, as this is part of a broader provincial direction. “Tiny homes were flagged in the 2020 Provincial Policy Statement, they are identified as a housing option and meant to be a permanent year-round home.  It is a newer trend with the hopes of filling the gaps and provide an affordable way of living,” said Kawartha Lakes Councillor Tracy Richardson. “Tiny homes is a eco-friendly model, smaller footprint with lower expenditures, which is a viable option regarding the current crisis with house affordability.  The City is reviewing through the rural zoning bylaw consolidation and I do support looking into this option.”

The potential by-law change will be reviewed by the city’s Development Services. Many will be waiting anxiously for a positive resolution to this review, which is expected to be completed in 2022. 

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1 Comment

  1. I am interested in a Tiny home in the Kawartha Lakes area.

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