Second thoughts: Do secondary suites provide adequate housing?

While secondary suites were once informal and hidden, they are now seen as a key to addressing Canada's housing supply and affordability challenges. Cities such as Edmonton, where this study was conducted, have reformed their urban planning to allow and encourage secondary suites. In this context, it is important to know whether secondary suites meet adequacy standards. We conducted focus groups with 32 postsecondary students who lived in secondary suites and employed a housing adequacy framework derived from international standards to assess their experiences as tenants. Participants reported that secondary suites generally offered security of tenure, were among the most affordable rentals available on the market, and provided an opportunity to live in high-amenity neighbourhoods, including close to campus. Conversely, they reported shortcomings in the availability of services due to lack of control over heating and ventilation, in habitability due to inadequate soundproofing and natural light, and in accessibility due to barriers such as steep stairs. This study provides detailed insights into the quality of secondary suites from the perspective of those who live in them, and identifies issues that need to be addressed for tenants to enjoy the right to adequate housing.