While many provinces and territories in Canada have at least one program to help ease the cost of building a secondary suite-or to encourage you to make it legal-there is also one nationwide program designed to assist First Nations members: RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SECONDARY/GARDEN SUITE ON-RESERVE Keep reading all the way to the end to find tips on making the process easier and less expensive. Whichever form of secondary suite you choose to build, remember to keep it legal by following zoning laws (some places allow suites in all areas, some allow both secondary and garden suites, and some only allow secondary suites in certain areas), getting all your necessary permits, following all regulations (that could include building codes, unit size, parking, and inspections and licensing), having it inspected, and building it according to code to avoid big financial headaches later. They even serve to improve transit and neighbourhood social programs.Ĭreating a secondary suite can allow you to pay off your mortgage faster, provide those with a low income (such as a single mother or senior) or a disability with a safe, affordable home, and even keep families together (and as a result, reduce costs such as child care).Īnd it doesn’t create parking problems! None of the communities in the nationwide studies were shown to have additional or increased issues with parking in the neighbourhood. Where secondary suites are allowed, the real results actually show that they help schools stay open, help revitalize neighbourhoods, and allow seniors to stay in their homes longer. In fact, the opposite has been shown to be true. While the main arguments against secondary suites are that they add to parking problems and increase neighbourhood density (causing problems with things such as schools, social programs, and transit), research has shown that this isn’t actually the case. Secondary suites come with more benefits than drawbacks, despite the stigma that were once attached to them. Secondary suites can also be completely separate from the main house, such as with garden suites or garage suites, but garden suites are usually temporary structures only permitted on large lots attached to a back lane or on a corner lot to ease installation. Secondary suites are private, self-contained units, but they can share a number of features with the rest of the house such as a yard, parking area, laundry and storage space, and sometimes a hallway. While they go by a variety of monikers-granny suites, in-law suites, accessory suites, secondary units, basement apartments-they all have the same elements: a private bathroom kitchen, and living and sleeping areas and they must have a separate entrance. What is a Secondary Suite (aka Granny Flat)? 7 tips to get the most out of your secondary suite.3 ways to finance a secondary suite (if you don’t qualify for a government grant).19 Canadian government grant programs for secondary suites.Why you should consider adding one to your home.While the majority are in large cities where there is a strong need for affordable housing, even many small towns and rural areas allow for them in the appropriate zoned areas. Did you know that 77% of Canadian municipalities allow secondary or garden suites?
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