Senior Accessibility: A Guide to the Ontario Renovates Program
Is your home in need of some repairs or modifications for improved accessibility? Well if you’re a senior or a person with disabilities living in Ontario, you could be eligible for funding offered by Ottawa’s Housing Services branch. Here is a guide to the Ontario Renovates Program to help you learn how you could potentially have your home repairs covered.
What is the Ontario Renovates Program?
This program was created under the City Housing Services branch to provide limited funding to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to assist with home repairs.
What Type of Repairs Does This Include?
The Ontario Renovates Program only provides funding for repairs and modifications that are necessary for improving accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities who are living within their own home. This aims to provide necessary support to assist with independent living.
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
To be eligible to receive funding through this program, low-income seniors must be 65 years of age or older. It also pertains to persons with disabilities, along with families who have a member of their home who meets the criteria of being 65 or older, and or with a disability of some sort. There is a maximum annual gross annual income which varies depending on the number of residents. For instance a single-person household may have a maximum gross annual income of $36,075, while a two-person household may have a combined gross annual income up to $44,160 to qualify for the program.
What are the Eligibility Requirements of the Property?
To be eligible for the program, your property must be your sole and primary residence located in the City of Ottawa. It must also be valued at or under $376,300 as determined by the province and verified by the owner’s most recent property tax assessment.
What Type of Repairs Can Be Included?
The purpose of this program is to provide funding to assist in making the home a safer place for seniors and persons with disabilities to live independently. Some of the potential repairs that are allowed include:
- Doors and windows
- Repairs to foundation, roofs, walls, floors, and ceilings
- Plumbing, septic, electrical, and heating systems
- Fire safety features
- Installing handrails and ramps
- Chair and bathlifts
- Height-adjusted countertops
There are many other items that qualify under the program. You can check out more details here.
What About Funding?
Funding is delivered in the form of a forgivable loan. The funding may also be provided in the form of a grant for eligible applicants up to a maximum amount of $18,500. There are certain stipulations when it comes to the details of the scope of funding, which can also be found here.
How to Apply for the Ontario Renovates Program
To apply for the funding program, head to the City of Ottawa website to access instructions, details, a checklist and the application form.
The duration of the program runs until March 31st, 2018 or until the funds have been fully spent. So if you think you qualify for the Ontario Renovates Program, be sure to check out their website for all of the details so you can apply before it’s too late. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2018, or until allocated funds run out. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427
