Achi news desk-
Changes to the Nova Scotia government’s backyard and secondary suite incentive program are music to homeowner Charlotte Hansen’s ears.
“I’m in the process of getting a permit to build a backyard suite for my parents,” Hansen said.
Forgivable loans of up to $40,000 are now available to homeowners building a backyard suite, an increase of $25,000.
This news comes as Hansen navigates the overall cost of a new less self-contained and detached home.
“So I was surprised when I got my own quotes to see how expensive it was to build from scratch, and that’s what I was doing,” Hansen said.
The changes to the provincial program also mean that any member of the family is now eligible to live in, or build new units.
Homeowners can charge as much as 80 percent of the average market rent when renting to anyone living below the household income limit.
“This is effectively another way of doing a rent supplement,” said Nova Scotia’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, John Lohr. “The person who will move to the secondary room will benefit from a lower rent while they are there.”
According to Royal LePage Atlantic President Matt Honsberger, by making backyard suites more affordable for more people, it will help create innovative solutions to the housing crisis in Nova Scotia.
“It’s the idea that many hands make light work,” Honberger said. “We allow homeowners to help solve the housing problem while also benefiting from it.”
Hansen said a new backyard tiny home can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Shaving $40,000 off the final price tag will help a lot.
“It’s a significant amount of money, and I can make a big difference,” said Hansen, who also noted that converting a garage or basement into an apartment would be cheaper and government support would cover more of the cost.
