How suite it is: Edmonton OKs housing bylaw

In a bid to increase the number of affordable housing spaces, Edmonton has approved a bylaw to allow secondary suites in the Alberta capital's mature neighbourhoods.

And it's backing that decision with funding to get the project moving 

Home owners who would like to earn some extra cash to pay down their mortgage or make room for an extra family member can now build a suite "in their basement or elsewhere on their property," said Peter Ohm, manager of the city's land use policy planning branch.

"We are also protecting renters by ensuring that secondary suites are up to proper building and fire codes."

The new bylaw is part of the city’s "Cornerstones plan," which aims to create 2,600 new affordable housing units in the city by 2010. The bylaw will increase the number of homes where secondary suites would be allowed by an estimated 270 per cent, according to the City of Edmonton website.

Garden suites will also now be allowed at the discretion of the city's development authority, but only in specific locations, and with conditions that ensure new rental units do not conflict with the integrity of neighbourhoods.

The city is also offering money — up to about $24,000 — to create new suites through its secondary suites grant program.

Money to upgrade illegal suites

The program also provides funding to homeowners who have existing, illegal secondary suites to renovate them to meet fire and building codes, provided their properties are able to meet zoning regulations.

In exchange for funding, homeowners must agree to rent the suite to modest income tenants at 85 per cent of the median market rent for five years.

The city is also considering making money available only to owners who live at the property that contains the suite.

Coun. Karen Leibovici, who has taken an active role in pushing for the bylaw, applauded the move.

"It's safe housing at reasonable prices," Leibovici said. "I believe that this moves us forward in our agenda [of] providing affordable housing. It's one of the best ways to provide affordable housing throughout the city and it's time we did this. I feel that this is an accomplishment."