Faced with a persistent housing affordability crisis, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is continuing to take strategic steps to increase local housing supply.
The latest step involves launching a new webpage on the topic of Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are self-contained residential units that occupy the same lot as a primary residence, and either be attached or detached from the primary residence.
The Municipality has already established as-of-right permissions to develop ADUs in more urban residential zones and enhanced municipal incentives to encourage the development of ADUs.
“ADUs are an important tool in our larger strategy to increase housing supply throughout Chatham-Kent,” said Ray Harper, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Municipal Housing Development, in a media release.
“We also have several other initiatives planned and underway to support other forms of housing, such as affordable housing, supportive housing and attainable market rental housing, with a priority on filling housing supply gaps we have identified through the recently completed Housing Needs Assessment report that was presented to Council on April 28, 2025.”
The new webpage, www.chatham-kent.ca/adu, offers residents information about ADUs, the steps to build ADUs on their property, things to consider when building an ADU, and the incentives the Municipality offers to residents who want to build an ADU on their property.
The webpage is primarily targeted to existing homeowners.
The webpage also features an online mapping tool that allows residents to review the zoning of their property to determine if ADUs are permitted in their area.
“Over the next few months, we will be working with local firms to develop full design packages for a variety of detached ADUs that residents will be able to access,” said Gabriel Clarke, Manager, Growth and Sustainability with Chatham-Kent, in a media release.
“We will also continue to update the incentives we offer to further encourage the development of ADUs.”
Municipal officials say ADUs provide several community benefits, including:
– Gentle intensification of existing neighbourhoods.
– Lower construction costs compared to many other conventional forms of housing (especially for attached ADUs).
– Increased flexibility for multi-generational family living (i.e. aging parents, young adults).
– Potential for rental income.
– Enabling homeowners to help increase local housing supply.
“Right now, the Municipality is offering grants of up to $25,000 to residents who build one new ADU in homes that are five or more years old,” said Allison Lambing, Planner I with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in a press release.
“The maximum grant goes up to $30,000 if a homeowner wishes to build new two ADUs on properties with zoning permissions to do so.”
“The Chatham-Kent Association of REALTORS(R) continues to support measures to enhance housing affordability in the area. The reality is the current economic uncertainty is affecting housing, making homeownership challenging for entire segments of our population, and this is a big concern for our membership,” said Barbara McCaughrin, President with the Association, in a media release.
“We are supportive of the efforts of the Municipality to encourage ADUs as well as the other ongoing efforts to increase housing supply in our community.”
