My Second Unit

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Consultation has concluded

Updated August 12, 2022

Oxford County Council approved the "My Second Unit" program on August 10, 2022.

The program will provide eligible homeowners with a grant of up to $15,000 for the purpose of creating a new secondary rental unit within their home. Under the program, homeowners will be required to enter into a funding agreement to ensure the secondary unit is rented:

  • at or below the Ministry-approved average market rent;
  • to a tenant meeting a set household income threshold;
  • for a minimum of 10 years. Find out how to apply

The "My Second Unit" program will help provide more "missing middle" housing to help address the current rental supply shortage.

Visit the My Second Unit program on the Oxford County website

See project updates




April 26, 2022

Do you have space in your home to add a second unit, like an apartment or in-law suite, but not sure how to get started?

Oxford County is in the process of launching a secondary unit program to help homeowners plan, finance and rent out a secondary, self-contained dwelling unit in their home. It is expected that the program will offer:

  • information and resources;
  • training and guidance;
  • landlord support services, such as tenant vetting/ reference checks; and
  • a forgivable loan of up to $15,000 for construction costs.

This program is supported by municipal funding and the Government of Ontario's Add a second unit in your house program.


What is a secondary dwelling unit?

A secondary unit is a separate, self-contained dwelling unit that includes a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area. Secondary units may consist of an apartment within your home (upper, main or basement level) or, potentially, on your property above a laneway garage or in a coach house. More info

To be considered legal, the secondary unit must meet all local zoning, building and fire code requirements. Please contact your local municipality before deciding to add a secondary unit to your home.


Why?

For homeowners, a second unit can be an additional source of income to assist with household expenses, contribute to savings, or make home ownership more feasible.

For communities with a low rental vacancy rate, like in Oxford County, secondary units can also help address a shortage in affordable housing options.


Have your say

To make sure this program meets the needs of our community, we're looking for feedback from potential landlords. You can have a say in how the program is planned and designed by:

  • SURVEY: Fill out the short, 5-minute survey below by Friday, June 3 to give your feedback on key features of the program. SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.


  • WEB EVENT: Take part in the live webinar to learn more and ask questions. This virtual event will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

  • EMAIL: Send an email with your comments to the project lead, Rebecca Smith, Manager, Housing Development, rsmith@oxfordcounty.ca


Updated August 12, 2022

Oxford County Council approved the "My Second Unit" program on August 10, 2022.

The program will provide eligible homeowners with a grant of up to $15,000 for the purpose of creating a new secondary rental unit within their home. Under the program, homeowners will be required to enter into a funding agreement to ensure the secondary unit is rented:

  • at or below the Ministry-approved average market rent;
  • to a tenant meeting a set household income threshold;
  • for a minimum of 10 years. Find out how to apply

The "My Second Unit" program will help provide more "missing middle" housing to help address the current rental supply shortage.

Visit the My Second Unit program on the Oxford County website

See project updates




April 26, 2022

Do you have space in your home to add a second unit, like an apartment or in-law suite, but not sure how to get started?

Oxford County is in the process of launching a secondary unit program to help homeowners plan, finance and rent out a secondary, self-contained dwelling unit in their home. It is expected that the program will offer:

  • information and resources;
  • training and guidance;
  • landlord support services, such as tenant vetting/ reference checks; and
  • a forgivable loan of up to $15,000 for construction costs.

This program is supported by municipal funding and the Government of Ontario's Add a second unit in your house program.


What is a secondary dwelling unit?

A secondary unit is a separate, self-contained dwelling unit that includes a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area. Secondary units may consist of an apartment within your home (upper, main or basement level) or, potentially, on your property above a laneway garage or in a coach house. More info

To be considered legal, the secondary unit must meet all local zoning, building and fire code requirements. Please contact your local municipality before deciding to add a secondary unit to your home.


Why?

For homeowners, a second unit can be an additional source of income to assist with household expenses, contribute to savings, or make home ownership more feasible.

For communities with a low rental vacancy rate, like in Oxford County, secondary units can also help address a shortage in affordable housing options.


Have your say

To make sure this program meets the needs of our community, we're looking for feedback from potential landlords. You can have a say in how the program is planned and designed by:

  • SURVEY: Fill out the short, 5-minute survey below by Friday, June 3 to give your feedback on key features of the program. SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.


  • WEB EVENT: Take part in the live webinar to learn more and ask questions. This virtual event will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

  • EMAIL: Send an email with your comments to the project lead, Rebecca Smith, Manager, Housing Development, rsmith@oxfordcounty.ca


Consultation has concluded
  • County Council approves My Second Unit program

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    Updated August 12, 2022

    Oxford County Council approved the "My Second Unit" program on August 10, 2022.

    The program will provide eligible homeowners with a grant of up to $15,000 for the purpose of creating a new secondary rental unit within their home. Under the program, homeowners will be required to enter into a funding agreement to ensure the secondary unit is rented at or below the Ministry-approved average market rent, to a tenant(s) with a total household income of less than $92,700, for a minimum of 10 years.

    The "My Second Unit" program will help provide more "missing middle" housing to help address the current rental supply shortage. Please watch for more information when the program launches in September 2022.

    QUESTIONS? Please contact Cole Warwick, Housing Programs Coordinator, at cwarwick@oxfordcounty.ca or 1-800-755-0394, ext. 3309.

    Read Council Report CAO 2022-10 | Summary of survey feedback

  • Results from community engagement

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    June 3, 2022

    A public information session for the "My Second Unit" program took place on June 1, 2022.

    Please note the "Adding a second unit to your home" survey is now closed. Feedback from the survey, information session, and submitted comments will be used to draft a final report to County Council in early fall. On Council approval, the 2022 application period for the "My Second Unit" program will open. Please check back for more updates.

  • Oxford County seeking feedback on funding for rental units in residential homes

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    May 11, 2022

    “My Second Unit” program will help homeowners become landlords with grants of up to $15,000

    Oxford County wants to hear from homeowners interested in building and renting a self-contained dwelling unit inside their home with the help of up to $15,000 in municipal funding.

    Feedback from potential landlords on the “My Second Unit” program will help the County plan how the program is designed and delivered. Interested residents can have a say by visiting Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup to fill out a short survey, email comments, or to find out how to take part in the live webinar on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

    For homeowners, rental income from a second unit can help with household expenses, contribute to savings, or make home ownership more feasible. For communities with a low rental vacancy rate, like Oxford County, secondary units can also help address a shortage in housing options.