Thursday, April 18, 2013

Home Repair Grants For Canadian Seniors

Several grants help defray the costs of home repair for seniors.


When you're struggling to make ends meet, sometimes costly home repairs and adaptations can be unaffordable, even when they're necessary for health or safety reasons. Almost 7 percent or more than 250,000 of Canada's seniors live in poverty, while 19 percent live just above the poverty line, according to a 2005 report from the Canadian government's National Advisory Council on Aging. Several grants can help Canadian seniors pay for home repair costs. Does this Spark an idea?


Senior Citizens Assistance Program


The Province of Nova Scotia offers home repair grants through its Senior Citizens Assistance Program. Repairs must improve the health or safety of a home and include such items as heating, plumbing and roofing, according to grant guidelines.


To qualify, seniors must be over age 65, have income below established regional guidelines, and must own and occupy the home. Grants range up to $5,000. The province also offers an emergency repair grant program to residents of rural areas. Emergency grants can be used for urgent repairs concerning health and safety hazards, such as wiring, heating, septic systems and wells. Emergency grants range up to $6,000.


Nova Scotia Department of Community Services


Nelson Place


5675 Spring Garden Road


Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1H1


Canada


902-424-8445


gov.ns.ca


Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence


The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers grants through the Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence program. Grants can be used to make minor repairs and adaptations that "help low-income seniors to perform daily activities in their home independently and safely," according to grant guidelines.


Eligible applicants include seniors over age 65 who are low income and experience age-related loss of ability. Adaptations and repairs must be permanent, increase access to a home's facilities and improve physical safety. Grants range up to $3,500.


Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation


700 Montreal Road


Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P7


Canada


800-668-2642


cmhc-schl.gc.ca


Provincial Home Repair Program


The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation office provides grants through the Provincial Home Repair Program. Grants can be used for repairs that improve home health and safety, bring homes up to minimum fire and life safety standards, and provide accessibility improvement repairs, according to grant guidelines.


Funds can be used for projects such as heating, electrical and plumbing services; deteriorated structures, foundations, windows, doors, roofing or siding; and to add accessibility elements such as handrails and ramps that will allow residents to remain in their homes longer. Low-income seniors are eligible to apply. Grants range to $7,500.


Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation


Sir Brian Dunfield Building


2 Canada Drive


St. John's, NL A1C 5J2


Canada


709-724-3000


nlhc.nf.ca







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