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
