A Wallaceburg-based company wants to make a splash in the local housing market by launching floating homes later this summer.

Strong House Canada is in the midst of building eco-friendly “aqua-homes” with plans to put the first structure on the Sydenham River soon.

“We actually are licensed boat builders. So, they are registered as boats and they are insured as floating homes.”

Strong House Canada partner Sally Joyce says the homes are intended to be an alternative for people entering the housing market and for people who want to downsize with somewhere affordable to go.

“If you love nature. If you love being near water and you want to get up in the morning, make yourself a cup of tea and go sit right on your dock.” Joyce adds, “They can be cottages, they can be weekenders, they can be short term rentals. They can be whatever you’d like to do with them.”

Stabilizing anchors drop down to keep the homes in place, with a little pillow foot to allow for movement with water levels. The structures can be fully off-grid and use composting toilets, so they don’t need to be connected to sewer lines. They are also are powered by hybrid solar and wind systems.

“We like to work with water and the environment,” Joyce says, “There’s nothing on this planet you can build that will stop water if water wants to go somewhere.”

Owner Alex Topol says the four season homes are intended to be in the water year-round. Topol adds they are built from a steel frame on top of a composite-fibreglass barge that can withstand year-round conditions, like ice and waves.

“They’re going to be decreasing the force and height of the waves crashing our shores.”

Keep reading on CTV News

Check out more news below: