Clever ways to increase housing supply
In Beacon’s latest blog, Nick Collins looks at some of the ways additional housing can be added to existing properties in a way that is invisible and doesn’t compromise the character and amenity value of neighbourhoods.
Last year’s tour of Victoria BC, Seattle and Portland visited some great examples of providing additional homes in existing neighbourhoods. Portland for example, calculates there is about 20 year land supply within the urban growth boundary, by counting infill development as much as greenfields. A third of all residential development is what they call refill - a mix of infill and redevelopment.
Converting a house into several dwellings can provide affordable options, new rental opportunities and cater for the changing needs of households. In Canada these are called secondary suites.
Building a second unit (known as accessory dwelling units), in addition to and smaller than the main dwelling, is an approach take in Portland, Oregon, while in Victoria BC larger sites have been rezoned for 2 smaller dwellings built in the same style as the existing neighbourhood.
Also in Victoria, tax incentives are encouraging the redevelopment of downtown buildings with residential apartments included.
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