Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods Study

Let's Plan For More Housing Together

In April 2021, the Increasing Housing Choices in Neighborhoods Study got started. The goal of the study was to find ways to add more housing options to the neighbourhoods of Mississauga. This kind of building, called "gentle infill," can help:

  • Give residents more housing choices in the neighbourhoods they want to live in.
  • Support residents as they move through different life stages.

The project team has been using your feedback to figure out how to balance the pros and cons of these new units in a way that takes into account how each of your neighbourhoods is different and also meets technical requirements.

The city staff has already done a lot of research on the kinds of housing that Bill 23 calls for. Together with feedback and input from the public, these analyses will be used to make sure that the zoning bylaws and official plan policies for housing types like garden suites, garage conversions, laneway suites, triplexes, and multiplexes are right.

Learn More

Check out these perspectives on different housing types and arrangements being explored in the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver:

Have Your Say

If you wish to mail your comments, please send them to:

Brandon Williams, City Planning Strategies, 7th FL - Planning and Building, City of Mississauga, 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1.

Let's Plan For More Housing Together

In April 2021, the Increasing Housing Choices in Neighborhoods Study got started. The goal of the study was to find ways to add more housing options to the neighbourhoods of Mississauga. This kind of building, called "gentle infill," can help:

  • Give residents more housing choices in the neighbourhoods they want to live in.
  • Support residents as they move through different life stages.

The project team has been using your feedback to figure out how to balance the pros and cons of these new units in a way that takes into account how each of your neighbourhoods is different and also meets technical requirements.

The city staff has already done a lot of research on the kinds of housing that Bill 23 calls for. Together with feedback and input from the public, these analyses will be used to make sure that the zoning bylaws and official plan policies for housing types like garden suites, garage conversions, laneway suites, triplexes, and multiplexes are right.

Learn More

Check out these perspectives on different housing types and arrangements being explored in the Greater Toronto Area and Vancouver:

Have Your Say

If you wish to mail your comments, please send them to:

Brandon Williams, City Planning Strategies, 7th FL - Planning and Building, City of Mississauga, 300 City Centre Dr, Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1.

  • New Proposed Provincial Regulation Changes regarding Gentle Density

    Recently, the Province announced potential changes to land use regulations that guide how municipalities can implement "gentle density.”

    Most of the potential changes align with the IHCN study objectives (i.e. permitting a wider range of ground-related dwelling options). However, if the proposed changes come into effect, any recommendations from the IHCN study will need to be examined closely and potentially be revised to ensure they conform to the new Provincial legislation.

    A list of the proposed provincial regulatory changes is provided in the table below.

    The Province is accepting comments from members of the public on the proposed changes until December 9, 2022. To read more about these changes and share your feedback with the Province, see the link on the Environmental Registry of Ontario webpage: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-6197

    City staff have prepared a corporate report in response to the proposed legislation titled Bill 23 "More Homes Built Faster Act" and Implications for the City of Mississauga. It will be reviewed at a Special Council meeting on November 23 at 9:30 a.m. You can read a copy of the report here.

    For more information from City Staff, please contact:

    Brandon Williams, MCIP, RPP

    Planner, Planning Innovation, Planning and Building Department

    T 905-615-3200 ext. 8753

    brandon.williams@mississauga.ca


    Table 1: List of Proposed Provincial Regulation Changes regarding Gentle Density

    Policy Area

    Proposed Changes to Planning Act and Development Charges Act

    Additional Residential Units (ARUs)

    Three (3) residential units will be permitted per residential lot as-of-right (as long as the lot is served by City services), with no rezoning required. This newly includes up to all 3 units being in the same building (i.e. triplex), or 2 units in the principal dwelling plus an ARU (i.e. duplex and a garden suite).

    Fees & Process

    Exemption of the second and third residential units on the residential lot from Development Charges, Parkland contribution or Cash-In-lieu, and the Site Plan Control process. The principal dwelling will also be exempt from Site Plan Control.

    Minimum Unit Sizes

    The City cannot establish minimum unit sizes for ARUs. However, it should be noted that the Ontario Building Code provides for minimum habitable space regulations.

    Parking Requirements

    The City cannot require more than 1.0 parking space/unit for the three residential units permitted per lot.


    Sincerely,

    The Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods project team.

  • Presentation and Avatar Stories Now Available!

    Three people standing from the torso up with thought bubbles. The first figure on the left is a South Asian woman smiling and wearing a pink head scarf and shirt. Their thought bubble shows 2 adults, two children, and a newborn baby. Figure 2 shows a white male in an orange sweater. Their thought bubble shows a grey 2 story house with a question mark. The last figure is a Black woman wearing a pink shirt and white apron. Their thought bubble shows books and baked goods (bread, cupcakes, and cookies.

    On June 23, we held a virtual community meeting as part of the Official Plan Review on “How can we increase housing choices in neighbourhoods”.

    We explored your ideas on housing options. We also hosted small room discussions on different Mississauga housing stories through illustrated “avatars”.

    The meeting recording, presentation slides, and “avatar” housing stories are now available:


    Thank you for your participation!

  • Help Us Create More Housing Choices in Mississauga

    We are exploring ways to increase housing options in residential neighbourhoods. We hope to provide a broader range of housing choices for families, workforce, older adults, and newcomers while improving affordability. Join the conversation on housing options in Mississauga!


    1. Complete the survey

    We want to understand your current and future housing needs. Take the anonymous survey to let us know how housing choices in Mississauga could be improved while balancing other priorities such as affordability, neighbourhood character, services and parking.

    Take the survey


    2. Send us a photo

    What is important to you in your neighbourhood? Share a photo of what makes your neighbourhood special to help us find the right mix of housing choices that are affordable, fit within the feel of the neighbourhood, and have access to services and amenities like parking, stores, and community centres.

    Share your photo


    Thank you for your participation!

Page published: 08 Mar 2023, 11:29 AM