Chatham-Kent seeks options to alleviate a shortage of housing, including the creation of additional dwelling units (ADUs).
These units are added self-contained residential units that are on the same lot as the primary residence. It could be an attached addition or a separate build.
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, officials said.
“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.”
To learn more about ADUs, visit www.chatham-kent.ca/adu. You’ll find information about ADUs, the steps to build ADUs on a 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, and 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 of growth and sustainability with Chatham-Kent. “We will also continue to update the incentives we offer to further encourage the development of ADUs.”
Municipal officials said ADUs provide several community benefits. They include a “gentle” intensification of existing neighbourhoods, lower construction costs compared to many other conventional forms of housing, increased flexibility for multi-generational family living, a potential for rental income and a way to enable 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, a planner with the municipality. “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.”
Barbara McCaughrin, president of the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors, said the organization backs the effort, which would help enhance housing affordability in Chatham-Kent.
“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,” she said.
