Secondary Suite Incentives
The Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive Regulations, established under the Executive Government Administration Act and the Economic and Co-operative Development Act, aim to improve housing affordability, support property owners, and increase the availability of rental units in Saskatchewan. These regulations outline the framework for an incentive program that provides grants to eligible applicants who construct secondary suites on their primary residences.
The regulations define key terms, including “applicant,” “builder,” “grant,” “owner,” and “secondary suite.” An applicant is an individual seeking a grant, while a builder is the contractor responsible for constructing the suite. The term “secondary suite” refers to various living spaces, such as laneway, garden, and garage suites, that meet specific building codes.
Designed to enhance housing affordability and generate supplementary income for homeowners, the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive Program requires applicants to submit their applications to the Minister of Finance, along with documentation demonstrating their eligibility. To qualify for a grant, applicants must be the registered owners of a primary residence, construct a new secondary suite, incur related expenses between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2026, and comply with all applicable laws and building codes.
Eligible applicants may receive grants of up to 35% of their total construction costs, capped at a maximum of $35,000. To qualify, they must provide detailed invoices and proof of tax payments related to construction materials and services. However, costs associated with the applicant’s labor, landscaping, and certain other expenditures are excluded from grant calculations. Notably, applicants do not need to have a rental agreement for the secondary suite at the time of application.
To ensure compliance, the Minister may request documentation from grant recipients for auditing purposes. If discrepancies or false statements are identified, the Minister may declare all or part of the grant as an overpayment, which would be recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown.
The regulations also outline procedures for serving notices and decisions related to the program, allowing for delivery through personal service, mail, or email, with specified timeframes for deemed receipt. The Minister has broad authority to enforce these regulations, conduct audits, and address overpayments under existing financial legislation. Importantly, the regulations provide immunity to government officials acting in good faith while carrying out their duties, ensuring that their decisions are final and not subject to judicial review.
The implementation of this regulation is expected to facilitate the creation of additional rental units and provide financial relief to homeowners during a time of increasing housing demands.
Saskatchewan (OIC 6369/2023) December 22, 2023