A proposed plan by the province to relax rules on secondary suites could mean more affordable housing options for Albertans.

Secondary suites are self-contained units within single-family dwellings, usually located in the basement, and have a kitchen, bathroom and separate entrance.

Under the proposed changes, rules that don't affect safety, such as windows in dining areas, would be dropped. Other regulations, like those regarding smoke alarms, would become mandatory.

Nick Skippings, manager of environmental health for Capital Health Authority in Edmonton, said he has seen a number of illegal suites that lack proper plumbing, heating, head room and exits.

He said it makes more sense to have legislation that allows illegal suites to be brought up to a minimum standard than the current situation. 

Skippings said he believes there could be more than 10,000 illegal suites in the city.

Edmonton MLA Thomas Lukaszuk thinks new rules for basement suites are a step in the right direction.

"If we were to really shut down every illegal rental suite in the city, we'd probably have thousands of extra homeless people," Lukaszuk said. "So why make them break laws? Why not make it more conducive to satisfying that need."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs says the province is hoping to get the changes approved by the fall.