A City of Calgary committee recently voted in favor of a program aimed at encouraging the building and registering of secondary suites in homes as part of the city’s housing strategy. Under the proposed secondary suite incentive program, qualified homeowners would receive up to $10,000 to register their secondary suite, with additional funds available for meeting accessibility and energy efficiency standards. The program is expected to provide incentives for up to 3,000 suites during the first year, focusing solely on secondary suites and not including backyard suites or laneway housing. The community development committee voted 5-2 to send the program for council approval, with some concerns raised about the program’s effectiveness by councillors Dan McLean and Andrew Chabot.
Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott emphasized the importance of the program in providing safe housing options for Calgarians, particularly addressing the issue of invisible homelessness where people may be couch surfing or living in inadequate basement accommodations. He argued that since these situations are already occurring, the incentive program would help ensure that safer housing options are available for those in need. The program is seen as a crucial step in addressing the ongoing housing challenges faced by the city and providing additional affordable housing options for residents.
Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong acknowledged that the program would help offset construction costs for homeowners, but raised concerns about whether the incentives offered would be sufficient to incentivize homeowners to participate. Wong highlighted the high costs associated with constructing new homes or renovating existing properties and questioned whether the incentives provided under the program would be attractive enough for homeowners to take advantage of. This comes as Mark Graham, the general manager of Basement Builders Calgary, reported a significant increase in demand for new basement suites this year, with many homeowners expressing interest in an incentive program to help cover some of the costs.
The proposed secondary suite incentive program in Calgary aims to address the need for more affordable and safe housing options for residents. By offering financial incentives to homeowners to build and register secondary suites in their homes, the program seeks to increase the availability of housing options for those in need. The program is expected to benefit up to 3,000 suites in its first year, with additional funds available for accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades. While concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the program and whether the incentives offered are sufficient, proponents argue that it is a crucial step towards addressing housing challenges in the city and providing more viable housing solutions for residents.
The community development committee’s decision to move the program forward for council approval signals a commitment to addressing housing issues in Calgary and supporting initiatives that promote affordable and safe housing options. While some councillors have expressed reservations about the program’s effectiveness, others have highlighted the importance of providing incentives to homeowners to encourage the building of secondary suites. This initiative reflects a broader effort by the city to create a more inclusive and accessible housing market, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges faced by residents in finding suitable and affordable housing options. As the program moves towards council approval, its success will likely depend on the level of interest and participation from Calgary homeowners in taking advantage of the incentives offered.
