Closed
Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program
Funding for secondary suite construction
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 40,000
Timeline
- Closing date : March 31, 2025
Location
British Columbia
Overview
This program provided up to $40,000 to help homeowners create a secondary suite for below-market rental housing. Eligible work included construction-related costs for new secondary suites, secondary suites attached to a home, and laneway or garden suites on the same title.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 31, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creating a new secondary suite on a residential property
- Building a laneway home or garden suite on the same title
- Constructing a self-contained rental unit in a principal residence
Documents Needed
- Approved municipal building permit
- Occupancy permit
- Invoices or receipts for final construction costs
- Proof of homeowners insurance covering the new suite
- Signed authorization form if applying through a delegate
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Homeowners in eligible BC municipalities
- Homeowners in eligible regional districts
- Property owners creating a new secondary suite
Who is not eligible
- Applications from ineligible municipalities
- Mobile homes, RVs, and fifth wheels
- Projects without the required building permit
Eligible expenses
- Architectural and design fees
- Structural modifications and electrical work
- Fixtures, materials, and contractor labour
- Building and trade permit fees
- Appliances, with partial coverage up to the program limit
- GST and PST
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Homeowner labour, tools, and landscaping
- Extensions, conversions, repairs, or replacement of homeowner items
- Legal fees
- Mobile homes, RVs, and fifth wheels
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
- Eligible municipalities and regional districts in BC
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through the SSIP portal.
- After pre-approval, construction must be completed and an occupancy permit obtained.
- Supporting documents are submitted before funds are released.
- The loan is secured by a mortgage on title for five years.
- Annual declarations must be submitted during the mortgage term.
Additional information
- As of March 31, 2025, BC Housing is no longer accepting new applications.
- Existing pre-approvals and SSIP mortgages will still be honoured.
- The loan is forgiven over five years if program conditions are met.
- Annual declarations are required during the mortgage term.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program?
This program provided up to $40,000 to help homeowners create a secondary suite for below-market rental housing. Eligible work included construction-related costs for new secondary suites, secondary suites attached to a home, and laneway or garden suites on the same title.
How much funding can be received?
Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $40,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program program?
To be eligible for the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program program, you must:
Homeowner with approved building permit
Principal residence property
Below-market rental suite
What expenses are eligible under Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program?
Creating a new secondary suite on a residential property
Building a laneway home or garden suite on the same title
Constructing a self-contained rental unit in a principal residence
Who can I contact for more information about the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at none or by phone at 604-439-4727.
Where is the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program available?
The Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Secondary and Backyard Suite Incentive Program is a Grant and Funding