Achi news desk-
Calgary’s new program could come as early as next month to incentivize safety in the development of secondary rooms as the city aims to boost its housing supply.
A city committee voted in favor of the Secondary Series Incentive Program on Wednesday.
If passed by the council, it could provide up to $10,000 to each homeowner.
“For how many decades have we talked about invisible homelessness – people couch surfing, people living in your basement, already? Long story short, it’s already happening. So this incentive is key because it’ “This incentive means that since we know what’s going on, we will do that. Get more safe units for those people to live in,” said Courtney Walcott, Ward 8 councillor.
According to an outline of the program, it will allow eligible homeowners to be reimbursed for safety items in a developed secondary room, including “installation of a separate heat source and/or makeup air unit.”
In addition to the $10,000 for security requirements, a homeowner may qualify for an additional $5,000 for making a secondary suite more accessible.
An additional energy efficiency rebate will also be available for a maximum of $1,250 per household.
In order to receive the money, a homeowner must complete an e-learning course explaining the safety components of a secondary suite and the program will only be open to an applicant who is the owner of the property until the suite is registered.
The committee approved the plan after hearing the latest information on the city’s housing situation, which shows that the cost of rent has risen by 12 per cent since September 2023.
The Calgary Housing Strategy includes 98 actions to try to boost supply.
“Middle houses and secondary suites are part of that equation. And, you know, people often say, ‘Well, how do I pay the bills? Maybe I need that mortgage assistant as a suite secondary?'” said Terry Wong, councilor for Ward 7.
The incentive program will be capped at 3,000 rooms in the first 12 months.
It could launch as early as June 3, 2024, if passed by council next week.
