Mayor Nenshi on legalizing secondary suites for Calgarians

[ATrustedAuthority]

This really would help young people get their first home. the suite is a 'mortgage helper' when they are just starting out, and later as their children are growing, the suite becomes a family room. And even later when the kids leave home it can be a suite again with renters supplementing pensions. It is a long term help to families.

[iglobalcast]

Mr Mayor when you talk about the other major cities already zoned R2 what cities have not? When you talk Toronto are you talking Missisauga,Oakville and outlying cities. When you talk Vancouver are you talking about Richmond,Surrey and New Westminister etc... there is a big difference between those areas and Calgary they have numerous cities in the same area as Calgary . Gee theres a thought many cities within the area that is now Calgary.. hmm that might be an idea

[iglobalcast]

Mr Nenshi if you were so caring for the girl with MS you would give her a tax break with the recent refund from the province . Calgary’s own plans for a 4.4-per-cent hike, and it could be crunched down to only 1.2 per cent for residential taxpayers (a bit more for business or industrial property owners). Or, the city can decide to spend that $42 million in “tax room.” nope you just want to grab it.

[tocantinsfan]

Faced with the opportunity to give Calgarians $42 million in property-tax relief, Mayor Naheed Nenshi wants to commit it instead to the city’s massive borrowing costs and projects like libraries and rec centres.

[tocantinsfan]

I like his arrogance on the TV today when asked about the refund on property tax from the Provincial government or possibly using it to lower the current tax raise. His comment "Its only 3 dollars a month" and then went on to say he could find better use for the money. Well Mr Nenshi it is that smug spend spend and Fxxx the homeowner is your biggest mistake. 3 bucks here throw a couple garbage bins and so on will be your undoing.

[acsial]

How's this for ethics in office: Nenshi got a pollster (Zinc) WHICH DONATED $5K TO HIS CAMPAIGN conduct a 'scientific' survey on secondary suites, billed to the University of Calgary Students' Union, after which he compared opponents of secondary suite legalisation, including community associations, to flat-earthers. Nenshi makes Dave Bronconnier look like an honest, humble politician.

[tocantinsfan]

@acsial thats the whole issue on secondary housing most of the  commentors are students,non-homeowners ,Real estate developers and slumlords.

[codyellis22]

Hahahahahah

90% of these comments make no sense...it's like a four kids in Jr. High are sitting around the computer lab trying to string coherent sentences together...go back to playing Warcraft and let the adults talk now.

Bottom line: it's wrong to pretend unsafe housing doesn't exist, one way or another our Aldermen need to act with leadership and do SOMETHING about these suites, they're already there!

[iglobalcast]

I have fire insurance for the slim chance that my property burns down.

I bought in R1 area so I would have insurance that my home would not be over populated area.

If you want suites put them in R2 zone where the city has promised they would be.

[dennismstamps]

@iglobalcast sorry, segregation of people based on income is what leads to what you see a lot of in the U.S... upscale neighborhoods and ghettos. Also, urban sprawl has led to many problems such as difficulty serving the city via transit, and the excessive need for more and more roads everywhere.

What we need is more density, not less.

[iglobalcast]

@dennismstamps I don't want segregation I want my neighborhood full of respectful homeowners. My family bought in1960 and NO we don't need more density we don't need vandalism and non caring neighbors. If you want a nice home go and get one. If you can't afford one find a career that will allow you to purchase one. If you made the wrong choices in life that don't allow you to purchase a home well oh foolish you.

[iglobalcast]

There is lots of R2 zones where our city forefathers planned rentals stay there. What are you saying Renters will turn areas into Slums? Don't tell me about the US I contracted in 15 states there for 10 years ,How long did spend in the States? You know what the problem with the majority of the commentors on this issue are either Landlords renting or renters wanting cheaper rent.

[iglobalcast]

And as far as that goes anyone who doesn't own property in an effected R1 area should have no say in this issue as it is not their business.

[iglobalcast]

The purposes of zoning are to regulate land use, prevent land-use conflict, and allow growth to occur in a rational manner. More specifically, zoning aims to: Use land for its most suitable purpose. Protect or maintain property values. Promote public health and safety. Protect the environment. Manage traffic. Manage density. Encourage housing for a variety of lifestyles and economic levels. Manage aesthetics. Provide for more orderly development. Help attract business and industry.

[seasonedidol]

The city has a $25000 grant for suite upgrades This has resulted in 76 applicants being accepted into the program 16 completed as of February. So that means if there are 9,924 to 50,000 suites in Calgary the landlords have chosen to remain underground and Illegal.

[tocantinsfan]

Answer me why would those with illegal suites today register to make them legal and bear the cost of safety renovations and Tax. How will it be policed as they can't police it now. The illegal suites will still exist. The cities policy when checking for a suite is to call and give them notice they will be inspecting. And the inspectors turn their back on obvious suite existance. An empty stove area in suite and the stove in the yard is pretty obvious of a suite and the inspector overlooks it.

[seasonedidol]

Another Utopian idea .. Enforcing his own will with no consideration to his property owner partners yes I said partners . Drive the housing prices down Mr. Nenshii watch the results of your dictorship.

[acsial]

Pray tell, Mr Mayor: just how many more inspectors, support staff and bureaucrats do you intend to hire to police these suites, and how much will this cost? Existing, LEGAL suites aren't being cited for things like mouse infestations and non-functioning heating--how will THOUSANDS of new units impact enforcement? And quit lying that this is about 'demonised' renters, for there are very high rental and condo vacancy rates in Calgary.

[dennismstamps]

@acsial i'm curious as to what the average asking rent is among vacant rental units in the city

[SmplyIrrsstbll]

Wow, that would be amazing if we, as a city could get rid of the bad landlords and slumlords of Calgary.. I personally had a suit i moved into that was not up to par and had a heck of a time getting out of their. I finally called the health department and they found the suit to be substandard. A window actually fell out, upon moving in (day of) the toilet was flooding, the hardwood flooring was lifting, there were wasps coming in somewhere. And the landlords Are Known to the Health Dept.

[seasonedidol]

@SmplyIrrsstbll we have one slumlord it is called the city of Calgary

[brendaclang]

Well said, Mr. Nenshi.

We all need to keep in mind that just because secondary suites are allowed in all neighbourhoods, not everyone will want to build one. I'd like to think to we can all be good neighbours, whether we own a house, rent a house, or rent a secondary suite. I can afford my own home in a nice suburban community, and I welcome others who can only afford to buy a home in this neighbourhood if they rent a basement suite.

[internetiswonderful]

This is a great forum to interact with others on city issues, whatever they happen to be at the time.

To the users: please use the comments for creating debate and not so much about insulting the person who is presenting the opportunity to.

I'd like to see more videos like this on some of other city issues.

[melmendude]

I am embarrassed to say that I voted for the good mayor Nenshi. I really didn't appreciate the arrogance of this man until the last number of days. His comments in the media have been a disappointment.

Secondary suites benefit ONLY the person who decides to install one, & negatively impact those around them. You can be taken to just about any area of the city to see the impact.

It is a red herring to say it is ‘about letting people do what they want with their property’ It affects everyone.

[Cricketthebug]

Oh my Gosh, This is from a man who lives with his parents still.... this is the real world, wake up.... As Acsial comment this city has a high percentage of vacancies in complexes... Home Owners pay a lot to have their homes, if they wanted a lot of neighbours they would have bought into Condo's or Apartments, leave R1 areas alone...

[acsial]

The Nenshi agenda, set by his developer donors, involves liberalizing zoning bylaws, with universal legalization of secondary suites being the first step, in eliminating pesky 'red tape,' like community approval for infilling. The safety and health standards of existing rental properties aren't being enforced, and what of the expense of hiring the inspectors and bureaucrats needed to enforce THOUSANDS of new suites? And there is NO 'rental shortage': vacancies run 50% in some complexes.

[aerocabin]

Funny how someone can spend a lifetime as a political academic and still not have a grasp on property rights. If a woman has to beg to do with her property what she wishes, then it isn't her property. Nenshi is just finding more ways to outlaw private property and make a buck with his mafia friends (bylaw officers) while doing it. He is replacing voluntary interactions with coercive ones. He will never be able to make affordable housing with violence.

[seasonedidol]

@aerocabin by the time he is done enforcing the upgrades to the suite and charging tax the suite owners will stay underground because they want to pocket all the money. They are currently breaking the law why would care to go legal what is in for them except expense??

[Znaika1]

Lots of cheap speculation, demagogy and other socialist crap. Boils down to advocating wealth re-distribution by decreasing quality of life and property values of those who hard worked to afford it. Our Mayor start to show his true socialist and social engineering colours.

[seasonedidol]

@Znaika1 well put. Most of the commentors for this idea don't own or have any interest in property or they already live in R2

[tonyisserious]

I'm really happy to know that we have a mayor that is all about a class society.

We really need to separate the rich from the poor, thanks Nenshi!

I myself live in suburbia, and I'am really enjoying how efficiently you are getting rid of the homeless. I don't know where you are putting them, but great job! You got a heart of gold!

[tocantinsfan]

@tonyisserious the slumming down of Calgary

[tocantinsfan]

My 76 year old elderly mother on Fixed retirement income has to put up with constant fee increases and tax increase eating away at her limited spendable income your going to force her to sell her R1 zoned house anyway . But really why should you care about affordable housing when you don't give a second thought to what you are doing to the elderly Who have paid their dues owning a house her for 52 years. Taking care of the ones who need in being a good neighbor you are not Mr. Nenshi. No 2 R2

[AdeleMS]

@tocantinsfan why does making R2 hurt your mother? I get the other stuff about paying 52 years worth of taxes and fee increases, etc, but how does having the ability to have a secondary suite hurt your mother?

[tocantinsfan]

@AdeleMS the point is Mr Nenshii makes it sound like he is caring for the lower income. But his actions don't show it. . Spend your time helping the long time elderly residents that are being buried by Calgary Council limitless spending. This idea he has about legalizing suites will do nothing for lowering rent. It will increase it because of enforcement costs and tax increases and renovation costs which will be passed on to renters.

[AdeleMS]

@tocantinsfan I've wondered about additional cost also. And they consider license requirement. With increased taxes to the landlord may come a download of costs onto the tenant. Phone &email aldermen. alderweb@calgary.ca If they hear from you they consider. You're not necessarily against making suites safe, you're against it costing the end user. Most of us have lived in secondary suites for financial reasons. If your mom could have a suite in her house, wouldn't it offset her costs?

[tocantinsfan]

@AdeleMS Exactly the only reason the rents are cheaper in suites is because they are usually paid under the table with no tax paid and illegal .They will put downward pressure on real estate prizes as rent is tied to affordability or desirability of home purchase. Then look at all those poor new homeowners when they can't renew their mortgages because the appraisels are to low and have to come up with major cash to renew their mortgage.

[ShazzMack]

Great summary & perspective, Mr. Mayor! :)

Good to hear you're working with the province to ensure regulations are logical & manageable for landlords (e.g. regulations like furnaces, etc.) ... that will help out for sure. Folks, we can also learn how other Canadian cities have done this successfully & work together here in Calgary to implement a good solution for our city.

[tocantinsfan]

@ShazzMack While I agree regulations are needed for rental quality the problem is the illegal suite landlord that is benefiting under the table. As far as other cities ,If I wanted to live in another city I would have .. whats good for Toronto ,Vancouver etc is good for them. Because everyone else does something doesn't mean its right. Enforce and eliminate the illegal suites and promote the high density residences in the R2 areas where they were designated,designed and promised to be.

[MrLululemon101]

Can you do ice removal cause it is kinda slippery and snow removal with more inprovement.

[tonyisserious]

How about fixing transit?

Instead of stopping people from being embarrassed?

Calling this silly is an understatement.

You want to change the law, so people don't have to talk about their lives?

How about something that every other city in Canada has a better version of?

Transit.

Frankly, I don't care if someone is embarrassed because they had to tell their life story to a bunch of strangers.

I wish the only reason he is the mayor wasn't because he is popular

[LOLDONKAMENTS]

@tonyisserious Did you have to work at being ignorant, or did it come naturally?

[tonyisserious]

@LOLDONKAMENTS Irony.

I guess you weren't aware that calgary has an issue with transit?