Fourplexes Offer Affordable Housing Fix, But Zoning Laws Stand in the Way
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A fourplex is a residential building with four housing units. They are currently illegal to build in most of Canada due to zoning laws from the 1920s favoring single-family homes.
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Fourplexes could provide more affordable housing options for young families and seniors looking to downsize. They allow for multi-generational living arrangements.
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The city of Mississauga recently rejected a proposal to allow fourplexes near transit hubs, though the nearby city of Kitchener is exploring the idea.
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Housing experts say fourplexes and gentle density help cities by being more efficient and cheaper for infrastructure than urban sprawl.
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The federal government is pushing municipalities to change zoning to allow fourplexes as part of its Housing Accelerator Fund aimed at addressing the housing crisis.