The City of Kingston has introduced a new initiative aimed at expanding the rental housing market by offering financial assistance to property owners for the development of Additional Residential Units (ARUs). These ARUs, which can be located within or on the same property as single-detached, semi-detached, or townhouse dwellings, are also known as secondary suites, in-law suites, carriage houses, or tiny homes.
Jayne Hartley, Director of Housing and Social Services, emphasized the significance of this program as part of the City’s broader strategy to enhance rental housing availability. “This initiative is one part of the City’s strategy to increase rental housing availability,” she stated. “ARUs not only boost the rental market supply but also make homeownership more affordable, support seniors aging in place, and contribute to a diverse range of rental housing options in the community.”
Under the program, the City is offering up to $40,000 in financial assistance for the development of detached, rear-yard ARUs, and up to $30,000 for interior units such as basement apartments. Additional funding is available for creating accessible units, upgrading water services, and installing rough-in services for future ARU development.
The ARU incentive program, approved by Council on August 13, is part of Kingston’s participation in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Program. The initiative is funded by $1,250,000 provided by the federal government.
This program is one component of the City’s broader efforts to address rental housing needs. Other initiatives include zoning changes to encourage medium- and higher-density development, the Rental Housing Community Improvement Plan, and partnerships with non-profit and private-sector developers to create various levels of rental housing affordability.
Property owners interested in applying for the program can find eligibility criteria and application forms on the City’s website. Applications can be submitted through the MyKingston portal. For additional information, inquiries can be directed to housing@cityofkingston.ca or 613-546-2695, ext. 4949.
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