Adaptable Secondary Suite Demonstration Project

In 1998 the Real Estate Foundation approved a grant of up to $7,500 to assist the Sidney Advisory Committee on the Disabled in its efforts to educate the public about the role of adaptable secondary suites in supporting aging-in-place. In making the grant, the Foundation felt that the project would be a valuable case study to draw to the attention of municipalities and non-profit housing organizations throughout B.C.

Please address your questions to Society members via the contact information supplied here.

Contact Information

On-line Documents
Sidney Advisory Committee on the Disabled
2440 Sidney Avenue
Sidney, BC V8L 1Y7
Phone: 250-656-1725

 
The Mayor of Sidney and the owner of the newly renovated adaptable demonstration suite prepare to cut the ribbon.

The Sidney Advisory Committee on the Disabled has completed a demonstration project and public information program on adaptable secondary suites. An existing ground floor living area was renovated to create a legally separate accessible secondary suite for use by a person with disabilities. Through this initiative, the committee demonstrates a cost-effective way to create affordable housing and to ensure that it is accessible to both persons with disabilities and to aging seniors wanting to remain in their own homes. This process was documented in a video production as a resource to community groups.

The 1998 project continued and expanded on the committee's work. An initial Stage I grant from 1997 Homegrown Solutions was used to fund development of "Guidelines for Adaptable Housing", a handbook on adaptable secondary suites. (Note: Homegrown Solutions ended December 2002.)

During the next year, with additional assistance from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., the committee broadened its awareness initiative, encouraging adaptable, accessible housing initiatives in other communities. Project information is available nation-wide through a video and information kit that includes model bylaws, incentives, an updated handbook, and a wealth of other valuable resources. (excerpt, Project Highlights, Information Kit 1999)