Saint John’s 2026 amended Housing Accelerator Fund policy lists a C$15,000 grant for a qualifying secondary suite and C$25,000 for a qualifying garden suite. The grant is per new unit, and the policy allows up to two eligible ADUs on one property. These are maximums, not promised awards.

Check the unit, owner, and location

The policy covers a newly created, fully legal ADU on a property with a permitted primary dwelling. The site must be in the City’s Primary Development Area and connected to municipal water and sewer. The program distinguishes secondary suites from garden suites, so confirm the City’s classification before using the corresponding amount.

The registered property owner applies, and the unit must be built according to the issued building permit. The policy allows stacking with other City programs when each program’s own rules are met. It does not establish zoning approval or waive unrelated fees and utility work.

Saint John grant eligibility depends on suite type, the Primary Development Area, and municipal water and sewer.

Check the reopened intake and priority date

The City’s reopening notice says selected Housing Accelerator Fund grant streams have reopened and intake continues until remaining funds are committed. The current balance is not stated. For ADUs, the notice repeats the C$15,000 secondary-suite and C$25,000 garden-suite limits and the Primary Development Area and water/sewer conditions.

Building-permit applications submitted before December 31, 2026 are prioritized. That is a priority date, not a published program expiry date. Confirm current intake, remaining funds, permit status, and agreement documents with the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund administrator.

The City reports intake until funds are committed, prioritizes permit applications before December 31, 2026, and pays after completion and final inspection.

Payment follows completion

Saint John releases the grant after the unit is completed according to its permit and final inspections have passed. A design or permit application is not a grant payment. This is a Saint John program, not a province-wide New Brunswick benefit.

For other current local program examples, see the ADU grants, loans, rebates, and programs guide. For continuing terms, see the funding-conditions guide.

Key points

  • The City lists C$15,000 for a secondary suite and C$25,000 for a garden suite, subject to eligibility and remaining funds.
  • The owner, unit, service, and Primary Development Area conditions all matter.
  • The reopened streams accept applications until funds are committed; the December 31, 2026 permit date is a priority, not a closing date.
  • Payment follows permitted completion and final inspection.