Saskatchewan Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says the program is designed to increase housing affordability in the province. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM file photo)

By CJME News Staff

Sask.’s secondary suite program now accepting applications

Jan 9, 2024 | 10:57 AM

A plan unveiled in October’s throne speech to help homeowners and increase the number of rental units in Saskatchewan is now accepting applications for its grants.

In a media release Tuesday, the provincial government said the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive (SSI) grant program was up and running.

“Our government is committed to protecting the economic interests of Saskatchewan families and ensuring housing affordability is just one of the many measures we are undertaking,” Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said in the release.

“The SSI Grant Program is designed to generate supplementary income to help homeowners with affordability while increasing the availability of rental units in our communities.”

The SSI will cover 35 per cent of the total price of building a new secondary suite at an owner’s primary residence, to a maximum of $35,000.

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According to the government, the suite has to be a new separate dwelling unit — such as a basement suite, a garden suite, a laneway home or a garage suite — located on the premises of the owner’s home.

It must meet all national, provincial and municipal bylaws, codes and standards to be used as a rental unit.

The costs of renovating an existing secondary suite or the homeowner’s primary residence itself aren’t eligible under the program, and funding is available for just one suite per residence.

Grants will be available for qualifying properties between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2026, retroactively covering construction that already has been started. The application deadline is March 31, 2027.

Application forms, program guidelines and more information about the grant program can be found here.

As well, the government reiterated that the provincial sales tax (PST) rebate for new home construction has been extended. That also was announced in the throne speech.

That program provides a rebate of up to 42 per cent of the PST paid on the purchase of a newly built home. The extension applies retroactively to April 1, 2023.

“We understand that affordability is top of mind for Saskatchewan residents,” Harpauer said in the release. “When combined, these programs will provide qualifying homeowners with up to $46,340 in cost savings.”