City of Calgary launches Secondary Suite Incentive Program

The City of Calgary is proud to introduce the Secondary Suite Incentive Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging safe, quick and accessible housing for Calgarians. The Secondary Suite Incentive Program, which is a component of Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy, provides a qualifying homeowner up to $10,000 to cover a portion of construction costs to develop and register a safe secondary suite.

“This initiative is one of the steps toward addressing the growing need for more housing options in Calgary,” says Joshua Howes, Secondary Suites Program Manager. “For Calgarians, a developed and registered secondary suite contributes to the overall quality and safety of housing within communities.”

Key objectives of the Secondary Suite Incentive Program include:

1.       Promoting the construction of secondary suites to meet safety standards by integrating education with practical financial incentives for applicants.

2.       Supplying more robust and diverse housing options for Calgarians.

3.       Incentivizing homeowners to utilize environmentally sustainable housing options by maximizing the potential of existing buildings.

The Secondary Suite Incentive program will provide extra incentives through an energy efficiency bonus of up to $1,250. An additional amount of up to $5,000 is available if the suite meets requirements for accessibility improvements. All program funding is made possible through both Municipal and Federal budgets. To foster equity and transparency, the incentives will be limited to one property per homeowner.

The City's success in encouraging the development of safe secondary suites is evident, with over 13,500 suites added to The City's suite registry since its inception in 2015. Ensuring the safety of secondary suites through the mandatory registration process is critical for both The City and Calgarians. The Secondary Suite Incentive Program represents a step towards creating a safer and more inclusive housing landscape in Calgary.

Calgarians can learn more at Calgary.ca/suite-incentive. For general information about secondary suites, how to register your suite or apply for permits, visit Calgary.ca/secondarysuites