Housing woes going to get worse in Brampton if new add-on rental unit rules come to Ontario, councillor says [Video]

An example of an additional rental unit (ARU) is seen in this file photo. (Photo: City of Brampton)

One-size-fits-all changes to Ontario’s rules around garden suites and additional rental units will make housing and safety concerns worse for Brampton renters, members of city council say.

Last month the province said it wants to shake up rules in the Planning Act that would support the development of additional rental units across Ontario, including changes to lot coverage, minimum lot sizes and building distance separate regulations.

But those tweaks could compound problems with overcrowding, emergency services, property standards and other housing concerns that have been an issue for residents and Brampton City Councillors.

“All of the things that we are trying to mitigate through the (Rental Registration Licensing) programare just going to get worse if this legislation goes through,” Coun. Rowena Santos said of the changes which would see the maximum distance separating a home and an …