Suite deal

The City of Calgary is offering a Secondary Suite Grant Program.  It offers a grant of up to $25,000 to cover 70% of the costs of developing or upgrading a legal secondary suite. Participants must commit to having the suite available to rent for at least 5 years at no more than average market rent for secondary suites.

Even some new homes are being marketed in Calgary with pre-built, legal secondary suites. Two show homes in the community of Walden feature secondary suites, which add $50,000 to the cost of a typical new home. The new suites have separate entrances, individual furnaces and hot water heaters and laundry facilities, with dedicated parking for tenants.

The program started in 2009 and ends May 2012. Unfortunately, I don't think they did a very good job advertising it as I'm only hearing about it now, 3 months before it ends.