Introduction of Guest Speaker Peter Redwood: Jonathan Wiebe was first elected to town council in 2014. He has been involved in several community initiatives, a contributor to a talk show on Cogeco and a guest columnist in the Forester.
Jonathan Wiebe, Discussion on Alternative Housing:
He wants to know what are our options. What else can we do to help the housing crisis. Through the ages, housing has been a basic right and a basic necessity. People used to be able to buy a starter home, or a fixer-upper, and gradually climb the ladder to a larger, family home. Housing prices are rising substantially. We need to try to get home ownership back to the first-time buyers.
The old idea of small lots with small houses, built cheaply and quickly created options. We are now going back to this idea. He showed an example of a 600 square foot home with two bedrooms, one bathroom, that could be built for $ 350.00 per square foot, selling for
$ 210,000. Or a “Tiny House” of 100-400 square feet, selling for $ 75,000 to $ 150,000. There is a strong trend in Ontario for these houses. These travel on wheels and are set on a foundation.
These houses are CSA approved.
There are a few municipally owned properties, for example on Florence Street there is a two-acre piece of land and another one that is 6 ½ acres, which could be developed into excellent opportunities. The one on Florence could have 26 possible lots, with guest parking, green space, and shared garden space. The lots would sell for about $ 20,000 each, and a lottery system would be employed for potential buyers.
Reasons for this type of housing:
- We need starter home opportunities.
- Relieve pressure on the rental market.
- Use of local trades.
- Increase the tax base.
- Provide pride in the community.
- It would spark innovation in alternative housing.
Jonathan hopes to fix the housing ladder as a community.
Questions:
George: How much space would there be between houses? Ans: A minimum would be two metres, and the homes would have a maximum square footage, perhaps of 700 square feet.
Adrian: Where would everyone park? Ans: Driveways need to be long enough to accommodate the owner’s vehicle. This is a design challenge.
If people are shipping small houses from Alberta, is the freight cost very high? Ans: People are paying the shipping cost to get a house quickly.
Peter: How would finance companies look at giving mortgages to these houses? Ans: CMHC would support providing insurance for these smaller homes. Many companies are now offering financing for RV’s, etc.
Bill S: Are you aware of the concept at the trailer park out Ravenscliffe? Ans: Yes, and that concept could be shifted to a Community Land Trust, a non-profit with a similar piece of land and lease the spots and a land trust would protect each lot of land.
Paul: How will various levels of government hurdles be addressed? Ans: He has been in touch with the district to determine a partnership, as well as the province and our MP, and all are in favour. A meeting will be held in June.
Hugh: A similar community in Oshawa with homes connected in pods, condominiumized, might be of interest to look at. Also, has Jonathan talked to package home builders like Royal Homes? Ans: He would like to see the concept in Oshawa. Several companies have reached out, and the prefab type home is ideal.
George thanked the speaker and said that everything starts out with an idea.
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