In September 2023, I proposed a solution to Lambton County Council: de-centralized housing, an approach that could dramatically address Sarnia’s affordable housing shortage. Council unanimously supported a motion for staff to explore the feasibility of offering $50,000 subsidies to incentivize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) across the city. Yet, nearly a year later, little progress has been made, and the housing crisis continues to worsen.
It’s frustrating to see such an obvious solution stalled. We’re facing a crisis that requires immediate action, not endless delays. The numbers make it clear. A centralized housing project costs around $17 million for 50 units — slow-moving and expensive. By contrast, subsidizing ADUs at $50,000 per unit would cost a mere $2.5 million for the same number of units. These units can hit the market as they’re ready, spreading affordable housing across the city without the bureaucratic slowdowns that plague larger projects.
The County’s 2020-2024 Housing and Homelessness Plan acknowledges the need for decentralized housing solutions. So why has nothing been done? Where’s the report from staff? Why hasn’t the council followed through on its own directive? As I highlighted in my presentation, ADUs engage citizens, encouraging homeowners to build rental units while distributing property management and maintenance responsibilities across the city. It’s a system that works for everyone—homeowners looking for passive income and tenants needing affordable housing options.
While I fully support the Indwell approach and their success in building centralized, supportive housing with wraparound services, this model isn’t enough on its own. Centralized solutions like Indwell are essential for the hardest-to-house, but we need multiple approaches to tackle Sarnia’s housing crisis effectively. Decentralized housing provides the speed and scale we desperately need, and it doesn’t have to be either/or. We need much more staff support to implement council’s direction and explore decentralized options alongside the centralized models.
It’s clear the broader community supports innovative housing ideas, so why has council’s directive to explore decentralized housing not been acted upon? Minister Paul Calandra, during his recent visit to Sarnia, acknowledged that the community is on the right track with housing solutions. It’s time to follow through and deliver real results. The housing crisis in Sarnia can’t wait for bureaucratic delays. We need action now to provide housing for those in need, and the council has the opportunity to make that happen.