Mississauga residents will help City decide what additional housing will look like

Mississauga residents, those who want to live in the city and builders are among the people City of Mississauga officials want to hear from as they look to introduce new housing options in the community.

Launched one year ago, the City’s Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods Study is seeking ways in which to add “gentle density” across Mississauga through various types of housing.

“Gentle density” is additional density that has a minimal impact on a neighbourhood while providing for additional housing options such as secondary suites, backyard suites and internal conversions in existing single-unit homes.

City officials note there are no recommendations to City council at this stage.

Rather, they’re looking for feedback on concept designs for the following housing types:

• garage conversions
• duplex, triplex and multiplexes
• garden suites
• laneway suites

“We’re also seeking input on allowing other housing types in neighbourhoods such as smaller detached homes, semi-detached and townhouses,” officials say, adding they want to know how various housing options can help meet residents’ needs.

“Mississauga supports gentle intensification in our neighbourhoods, but our team needs (the public’s) input to determine the best way to implement these housing options. There are no recommendations at this point; we want to plan for more housing together.”

The City has made available a video and survey, which can be accessed in the tweet below, for people to offer feedback.

The video shows the different housing options being proposed while the survey allows the public to provide input on general fit, yard space, privacy, parking and the best way to access the units.

We’re planning for more neighbourhood housing options & want your help!

👀Watch video
📝Take survey
🏡See design concepts for garden suites, plexes & more

Gentle density can help with more housing choices & we want your input on how to implement it.

🔗https://t.co/mPsLaoEwVe pic.twitter.com/TNmWdQhRuR

— City of Mississauga (@citymississauga) June 16, 2022

Mississauga officials say they’re seeking feedback from a wide range of people, including:

• Mississauga residents of all life stages, both homeowners and renters
• anyone who is interested in living in Mississauga
• members of community groups and ratepayers groups
• builders and contractors interested in these types of housing units

The City also welcomes feedback via its online engagement site available round-the-clock throughout the summer.

The study is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Recent changes to the Ontario Planning Act require municipalities to permit up to two additional residential units on lots with a single detached, semi-detached or rowhouse.

The provincial government is also encouraging municipalities to permit a range and mix of housing types such as garden suites and triplexes, and arrangements such as co-ownership and home sharing.

The City’s housing strategy, approved by council in 2017, concluded that the range of housing for middle income earners–such as teachers, nurses and social workers–is dwindling. It supports finding ways to remove barriers to affordable housing and providing residents with more housing choices as they go through different life stages.