Town hosting Accessory Apartments Seminar for builders and realtors

Push for accessory apartments part of Town’s housing action plan

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the Town of St. Marys is hosting an event aimed at educating local realtors and builders about the benefits of accessory apartments. The seminar will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the End Zone at the Pyramid Recreation Centre.

The event will be led by the Town’s Building and Development Department, which is responsible for issuing permits for residential structures, including accessory apartments. An accessory apartment is a separate dwelling unit that is located inside or on the same lot as an existing home.

The Town is encouraging property owners and developers to build accessory apartments to increase St. Marys’ housing stock. The move is part of the Town’s “Opening Doors” housing action plan, which aims to add 200 rental units to St. Marys by 2027, with 30 falling into the attainable housing category.

“We see accessory apartments as a practical and progressive tool to address the local housing shortage,” says Grant Brouwer, Director of Building and Development. “The seminar has been designed to equip builders and realtors with the information needed to become ambassadors for accessory apartments.”

Brouwer continues: “We hope local builders and realtors will take what they learn at the event and share that information with future clients.”

Residents who are not part of the building or real estate industry are welcome to attend the seminar. They can also set up a one-on-one meeting with the Building and Development Department to ask questions and gather information about accessory apartments by emailing ecoddington@town.stmarys.on.ca.

Those planning to attend the event should RSVP to ecoddington@town.stmarys.on.ca by February 16. For more information about the seminar, contact Grant Brouwer at 519-284-2340, ext. 215. Further details about accessory apartments are available at www.townofstmarys.com/accessoryapartments.

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For media inquiries:
Brett O’Reilly | Corporate Communications Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | boreilly@town.stmarys.on.ca