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Throughout the first nine months of the year, Greater Sudbury has experienced considerable growth in all sectors.
Through the latest Stats Can estimate, the city’s population has reached 179,965, a significant increase from the 2022 estimate of 175,307. This due in part to efforts to address labour shortages such as participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP) and becoming Northern Ontario’s first designated referral partner for the Global Talent Stream and Dedicated Service Channel through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The growth in population has surpassed federal and provincial expectations and shows no signs of slowing down for the next 30 years.
Reflecting this increase in population and the current economic climate, housing remains a top priority. In the first three quarters of the year, there have been 833 new housing units issued for construction, 130 new residential permits approved and 969 residential renovation permits approved. With developments at various stages all throughout the city, including Project Manitou, the Peace Tower and numerous new homes and subdivisions being built in the most desirable neighborhoods, we continue to increase the number of affordable units and homes in the city.
Residential construction is not alone in contributing to the growth of Greater Sudbury. In the first nine months of 2024 the City issued 377 permits for industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) projects throughout the community, amounting to a construction value of over $290 million. In total there is over $561.1 million of construction value in permits issued for all sectors in the city so far in 2024.
The City of Greater Sudbury continues to be a top destination for investment, tourism and film productions in Northern Ontario. With new business partnerships now in place along with several international delegation visits, the world is taking note of what Greater Sudbury offers in land, talent and resources.
Below is a breakdown of the first nine months of 2024, featuring a spotlight on a new local development innovation.
With every Economic Bulletin, we will be highlighting a specific project, development, event or news story happening within Greater Sudbury. These are projects that are helping grow the community and continue to showcase Greater Sudbury as a city with unlimited opportunity and potential, and as an ideal place to work, live, visit, invest, and play.
Recently, we were able to meet with John Zulich, President of Zulich Homes, to discuss the most recent home design his team has been working on and developing in Minnow Lake. Below is an overview from John Zulich about the innovative home design, the experience of working with the City and developing in Greater Sudbury.
Link-Home Concept
A rendering of one of the link-home designs, showcasing how these homes maintain the appearance and functionality of traditional single-family homes while offering an affordable alternative.
Design Inspiration and Features
The inspiration for our link-home design came from observing housing communities in Southern Ontario, where homes were closely spaced. We realized that reducing lot sizes could significantly impact affordability, and thus, we introduced the “link-home” concept in Greater Sudbury.
These homes are only connected at the footing level, with independent foundations and above-grade construction, allowing for all four exterior walls to be unique to each unit. This means that each homeowner has complete autonomy over the maintenance, exterior finishes, and roofing style, providing an experience closer to owning a traditional single-family home.
Addressing Housing Market Challenges
By implementing this design, we’ve been able to develop homes on lots approximately 40 feet wide, significantly reducing the overall purchase price by up to $100,000 compared to similar homes on traditional 60-foot lots. This approach enables us to offer higher density than typical single-family zoning (R1), creating more housing options and making homeownership more accessible in our community.
Environmental and Efficiency Benefits
From a planning perspective, the link-home style is more efficient, requiring fewer road meters per unit, which results in better land use and lower road maintenance per home. Each home is constructed to current Ontario Building Code standards, ensuring a high level of energy efficiency, which means significantly reduced heating and cooling costs compared to homes built 25 years ago.
Collaboration with the City
The collaboration with the City of Greater Sudbury has been pivotal in making this project a reality. Initially, the zoning bylaw did not clearly accommodate this type of construction, but City officials were very responsive to our requests for clarification. They invited us to discuss the merits of the design, listened to our concerns as a developer, and worked with us to craft a bylaw that supports this innovative housing model.
Current and Future Developments
We have completed four of these units as part of our pilot project, with another four set to begin construction in the coming months. Additionally, we have designed link-home lots that are a few feet wider, and these have just been completed as part of a larger single-family community. Construction on the new link homes is scheduled to start next spring. We are also in the process of developing our next phase, which is anticipated to include 14 more link-home units as part of a total of 31 units, with a mix of single-family and semi-detached homes.
