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For the first time some new homes are being marketed in Calgary with legal secondary suites.

The pilot project is a partnership between Genstar and the city to provide some much needed affordable housing.

Two show homes in the community of Walden feature the secondary suites.

The suites will cost the new home buyers an extra $50,000 but the city will chip in half of that.

The cozy suites have high ceilings, separate entrances, and individual furnaces, hot water heaters and laundry facilities.

There is also a dedicated parking pad in the back for tenants.

"So traffic is not an issue, walkability, fire protection, all the concerns that you might have with respect to having a renter in your home, and I think at this point we're not hearing any negative feedback," said Sean Nolan from Genstar.

To qualify for the city grant, home buyers must agree to rent out the suite for five years at or below the average rental rates.