SSIP Grant Calgary: Secondary Suite Incentive Program
The City of Calgary currently lists new SSIP applications as waitlisted. OAF helps Calgary homeowners review eligibility, permit scope, and fixed-price build feasibility without promising funding the City has not approved.
SSIP only helps if the build is eligible before work starts.
The property needs to be your Calgary primary residence before the grant path makes sense.
Applications and permit planning need to happen before construction starts.
Grant value only helps if the construction quote is complete enough to avoid overruns.
SSIP is a Calgary grant path. OAF keeps that distinction clear.
Airdrie suite projects can still be a fit for OAF, but the City of Calgary SSIP rules apply to eligible Calgary properties only. This page keeps the grant path local and accurate.
SSIP applies to eligible City of Calgary properties, not every nearby municipality.
OAF checks ownership, permit timing, suite type, and build scope before treating the grant as part of the plan.
The quote path preserves project, intent, source, and Calgary area data for lead quality tracking.
Legal-suite construction is quoted as a fixed scope before work starts.
OAF does not claim the City maintains an approved SSIP contractor list.
Airdrie legal-suite requests are screened separately under Airdrie permit requirements.
What Is the SSIP Grant?
The Secondary Suite Incentive Program is a City of Calgary program that reimburses a portion of construction costs to homeowners who build a legal secondary suite in their primary Calgary home. The program is funded through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and is designed to increase the supply of affordable rental housing across Calgary.
The base maximum is $10,000 for eligible safety elements. The City also lists additional energy-efficiency and accessibility amounts, but intake, eligibility, and amounts are City-controlled and can change.
- Energy efficiency: The City currently lists up to $1,900 for qualifying measures
- Accessibility: The City currently lists up to $7,500 for qualifying accessible spaces
The program applies to secondary suites built inside the main home (basement or main-floor suites). It does not apply to detached backyard suites. Those are handled through a separate City program with its own current intake, eligibility, and funding limits.
If the program accepts your application, the rebate path applies to a legal secondary suite built to City code - basement or main-floor, with a separate entrance, egress windows, fire separation, an active building permit, and the finished suite registered with the City. OAF can sequence a permit-ready scope, but only the City can confirm eligibility and payment.
Am I Eligible for the SSIP?
To qualify for the SSIP, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You own the property and it is your primary residence in Calgary
- The property is located within the City of Calgary boundaries
- You have an active Building Permit for a secondary suite (or are applying for one)
- When SSIP intake is open, you apply before construction begins. Work done prior to application is not eligible
- The suite is built within the main dwelling (not a detached structure. That's the Backyard program)
- You confirm the intended rental or short-term-rental use against the City's current written program and licensing terms
- You have not previously received SSIP funding for the same property
The City currently lists new SSIP applications as waitlisted and says funding may not be available. Keep a project budget that works without the incentive, and confirm the live City intake before starting work or relying on reimbursement.
How the SSIP Process Works with OAF
Free Consultation
We assess your property and confirm whether a legal suite is feasible and whether you meet SSIP eligibility criteria (primary residence, within city limits, permit required).
SSIP Pre-Application (When Open)
When the City is accepting applications, we help you submit before construction starts. Only the City can confirm eligibility or reserve funding.
Permit Application
Where permit coordination is part of the approved scope, OAF prepares the Building Permit (and Development Permit if required) for submission to the City of Calgary. This runs alongside any SSIP review; the City controls the decision.
Construction
Once permits are approved and your SSIP pre-approval is confirmed, OAF begins construction. All work is completed to City of Calgary and Alberta Building Code standards.
Inspections & Final Approval
The City inspects at key stages. Where included in the approved scope, OAF coordinates the inspection schedule and keeps the project team aligned; the City controls inspection outcomes and occupancy decisions.
Grant Claim (if approved)
When City intake is open and an application is approved, you submit the SSIP reimbursement claim after final occupancy with the documentation OAF provides. The City controls processing times; confirm the current program status before relying on payment timing.
Short-Term Rental Restriction: What You Need to Know
Incentive recipients may have occupancy, rental-use, or short-term-rental conditions. Confirm the current written City terms before using the program in a rental plan or pro forma.
If you may operate a short-term rental, confirm the current City restriction and any repayment or licensing rules directly before relying on a particular timeline. This page does not make a promise about future licensing or repayment.
SSIP vs. Backyard Suite Grant
Can you combine both grants? No. The SSIP applies to suites within the main dwelling, and the Backyard Suite Incentive applies to detached structures. They cover different project types. However, if your property could support both a basement suite and a backyard suite, you may be eligible for both programs on separate projects.
Now check if your project qualifies. 2 minutes.
Answer 8 quick yes/no questions to screen a Calgary home against the SSIP requirements. New applications are currently waitlisted; confirm live City intake and funding before relying on any amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not assume a suite incentive makes a short-term rental licence available. The property must meet the City of Calgary's current short-term-rental, permit, fire-inspection, and licensing requirements, and any incentive terms must be confirmed with the City before you budget around it.
Not on the same structure. The SSIP covers suites within the main dwelling; the Backyard Suite Incentive covers detached rear-yard structures. If your property has both a basement suite and space for a backyard suite, you could pursue both programs for two separate builds.
The City controls SSIP intake and review timing. New applications are currently listed as waitlisted, so check the official City program page for the live status before relying on a pre-approval or reimbursement timeline.
The SSIP does not maintain an "approved contractor" list. You are free to choose any licensed contractor. What matters is that the approved scope follows the current City of Calgary permit path. OAF guides eligible homeowners through project planning and the documentation relevant to their application; the City decides eligibility, review, and payment.
In some cases, legalization work may align with SSIP eligibility, but only if City intake is open and the City approves the application. New applications are currently waitlisted. The City's legalization pathway allows unpermitted suites to be brought up to code with a permit; contact OAF for an assessment without assuming reimbursement.
No. The City currently lists new applications as waitlisted and says funding may not be available. Keep a budget that works without the rebate and confirm the current intake directly with the City before starting work.
Check Your Eligibility Today.
OAF Construction offers free consultations for homeowners considering a legal suite build or legalization project. We'll assess your property, confirm your SSIP eligibility, and give you a clear picture of costs and timelines.
Check Eligibility & Price- You own your Calgary home
- Your property is within city limits
- You want a legal secondary suite
- You want help with the SSIP application