Amanda Preece, SECN reporter
The City of Calgary is offering a series of open house events aimed at educating homeowners about creating or upgrading secondary suites within their properties. The open houses will give homeowners the opportunity to discuss the role of secondary suites within their community, and also to discuss a grant program offered by the city.
Under the terms of the grant program, homeowners are able to apply for a grant which reimburses them for a portion of the costs associated with building or upgrading a secondary suite.
Interested homeowners must go through an eight-step application process which involves ensuring that building regulation, fire, and other standards are adhered to. If the application is successful, homeowners can receive a reimbursement from the city of up to $25,000.
“We would be able to reimburse you up to $25,000, so long as that didn’t represent more than 70 per cent of the capital cost of the project,” said Gail Sokolan, the city’s affordable housing coordinator.
Ms. Sokolan said that secondary suites are an important part of Calgary’s housing landscape, providing housing options for those who may not be able to afford units in traditional apartment buildings.
“Because of the nature of the suites, they do appeal to people who have lower incomes than people who could afford apartment buildings,” she said.
Ms. Sokolan said the desire to encourage homeowners to build legal secondary suites which conform with building codes is part of the motivation behind the grant program.
“We see it as a way of increasing housing options, and the number of more affordable units.”
The open houses run at the following dates and times:
Saturday, Oct. 3
9:30 a.m. to noon
Acadia Community Association
240 90 Avenue S.E.
Thursday, Oct. 1
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Village Square Library
2623 – 56 Avenue N.E.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association
1320 – 5 Avenue N.W.
For more information, call 3-1-1 or visit www.calgary.ca/affordablehousing
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