The City of Greater Sudbury’s adoption of the new federal Housing Design Catalogue could help smaller homebuilders and homeowners, but larger, more established homebuilders as unlikely to benefit as much, says the Northern Ontario Home Builders’ Association.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) developed the catalogue, which features a series of pre-approved housing designs any homebuilder can use for free. Nearly 30 municipalities across Canada now accept the designs.

On Aug. 10, the City of Greater Sudbury became one of the latest communities to join the program.

Melissa Riou, the city’s director of planning services, said Greater Sudbury now accepts two accessory dwelling unit designs, commonly known as granny suites, and two fourplex designs from the catalogue.