Is your co-op thinking about renovations that would help your members age in place? These changes may be considered major capital projects that can be quite costly.
However, depending on the location of your housing co-op, you can apply for various rebates that will help with reduce the expense.
British Columbia – BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA):
The BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) provides financial help in the form of rebates to eligible low-income households that need home adaptations for independent living. Eligible properties can be located anywhere in B.C., including Indigenous communities. Housing cooperatives may apply only if they are not subsidized by any level of government. Units occupied by households receiving assistance through the Rental Assistance Program or Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) may be eligible. (For more information on SAFER, reach out to BC Housing.)
The RAHA accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to complete applications. Application intake is ongoing until the annual program funding is exhausted.
More information on the program overview and eligibility can be found on their website: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/BC-RAHA
March of Dimes Canada - Ontario Home & Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP):
March of Dimes Canada has various programs for accessible modifications. Specifically for co-ops located in Ontario, the Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP), supports renovations and retrofits for residents of Ontario.
Goals of the program include the following:
Remove or minimize a safety risk
Prevent hospitalization or institutionalization
Allow discharge from the hospital or institution
Avoid loss of employment and income
Allow a caregiver to meet the responsibilities of caring for a dependant with a disability
Support children and adults wishing to participate in developmental or community activities
If eligible, you may apply for
Up to $15,000 lifetime maximum for home modifications, adaptions and devices
Up to $15,000 for vehicle modifications every 10 years
More information on the program overview and eligibility can be found on the March of Dimes website: https://www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/am/hvmp
Note: If you have any questions about your co-op’s eligibility or how to apply, please call 1-877-369-4867 before you apply.
Prince Edward Island – PEI Home Renovation Programs:
PEI Home Renovation Programs provide financial assistance to homeowners through three renovation programs:
PEI Home Renovation Program
Seniors Home Repair Program
Seniors Safe @ Home Program
Housing co-ops in PEI may qualify for two of these three programs when undertaking revamps for aging in place.
PEI Home Renovation Program – provides financial assistance to qualifying PEI residents to help cover the cost of major structural renovations to their homes. Eligible participants may receive up to $12,000 for improved safety or for eligible renovations to the structure, heating, plumbing and electrical systems. For an applicant with a permanent disability, a maximum of $16,000 may be available if the renovations make their home more accessible.
Seniors Safe @ Home Program – for those 60 years of age or older who need to make changes to their home that will enable them to remain there.
More information on the programs’ overview and eligibility can be found on their website: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/pei-home-renovation-programs
An article written by Michael Keshen on the HomeStars Blog highlights various tax credits, grants and loans currently available in Canada (either national or provincial) for aging in place. If you are looking for a list of available tax credits, grants and loans to help with your aging-in-place renovations, we recommend checking the blog article: https://blog.homestars.com/aging-in-place-tax-credits-grants-loans-in-canada/ .
Other rebates and programs are available for housing co-ops in B.C., Ontario and PEI.