Nova Scotia Backyard Suite Incentive Program Info

Your Wheelhouse Backyard Suite could be partially paid for by the Nova Scotia Backyard Suite Incentive Program. This program is available to homeowners who plan to build a housing unit either within their primary residence or on the property of their primary residence. You could receive up to 50% of the eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $40,000 in the form of a forgivable loan. Find out below if you meet the eligibility requirements.

• Homeowner Eligibility

  • Registered owner(s) of the property.

  • Live on the property as their primary home.

  • Property taxes are paid up to date.

  • Are a resident of Nova Scotia (and a Canadian Citizen or hold Permanent Resident status).

  • Have the ability to finance the construction of the suite up front.

• Suite & Property Eligibility

  • A secondary suite is contained within the homeowner’s primary residence.

  • A backyard suite is contained on the same property as the homeowner’s primary residence.

  • Meets all municipal requirements (the homeowner must ensure that your municipality allows secondary or backyard suites - which may also be called accessory dwelling units).

  • The primary home and surrounding property provide a safe environment for the homeowner and tenants.

  • The new suite is fully self contained – it has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living space. Amenities such as a laundry room may be shared with the homeowner.

• Tenant Eligibility

  For the loan to be forgiven, you and your tenant must meet the criteria for either the supportive housing or affordable housing streams. In all cases the tenant must be a Nova Scotia resident (and a Canadian Citizen or hold Permanent Resident status). To be eligible underthe supportive housing stream, you must meet one of these situations where the tenant is a family member and:

  • Is 65 years of age or older AND/OR is a person living with a disability OR

  • The homeowner is 65 years of age or older AND/OR a person living with a disability A family member may be a parent, child, sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, or adult grandchild or similar related by marriage (i.e., stepmother etc).

  To be eligible under the affordable housing stream, the tenant is:

  • An individual or household whose income is below income limits and to whom the unit will be rented below average market rates (See Tenant Income and Rent section below).

• Eligible Costs

  Labour and materials o Labour provided by a family member who works in construction is eligible as long as they are not a resident of the primary residence or the suite.

  • Design fees.

  • Purchase and placement of a prefabricated backyard suite on the property.

  • Taxes, legal and other costs associated with the application for and building of the suite.

  • A portion of the costs of areas, such as laundry facilities, that are shared between the homeowner and tenant.

• Ineligible Costs

  • Work done prior to approval of your application.

  • Costs that exceed the loan maximum ($40,000).

  • Work done to bring the house or property up to a minimum safety standard.

  • Homeowner, occupant of the home, or future tenant labour costs.

  • Extensions, conversions, or repairs to the primary residence not related to the suite.

For more information and to apply, please view the full Nova Scotia Backyard Suite Incentive Program Guide here. You can also reach out to us here with any questions you might have about the program in relation to your Wheelhouse build.