**** CNS Media Release
More Funding to Preserve Housing Stock, Make Repairs, Improve Accessibility
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More Nova Scotians will get help to make necessary repairs and adaptations so they can live comfortably at home.
The Province is investing an additional $5.3 million in a variety of programs to address increased demand for support. This new investment will help 300 additional households.
“Affordable housing is at a crisis point in Nova Scotia and the cost of making home repairs continues to rise,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr. “More and more Nova Scotians need help to make the repairs and upgrades necessary so they can continue living safely and comfortably in their own homes. This investment means we can help more people sooner and work to preserve vital housing stock.”
Each year more than 2,000 applications are approved for grants and forgivable loans to support emergency home repairs, health and safety upgrades, and accessibility needs. Programs include:
— Senior Citizens Assistance Program and Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program: grants up to $6,500
— Residential (Homeowner) Rehabilitation Assistance Program: forgivable loans up to $18,000
— Disability Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program: forgivable loans up to $16,000
— Emergency Repair Program: grants up to $7,000
— Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence: forgivable loans and grants up to $3,500
— Access-A-Home Program: grants up to $7,000.
The added funds will also help to speed up processing for applicants who are currently waiting for assistance.
Quotes:
“Seniors deserve to live with dignity and have the supports they need so they can live in their homes and communities as long as possible. This additional funding will help more seniors and other Nova Scotians make the repairs and upgrades they need so their homes are safer, more comfortable and more accessible.”
– Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care
“The Seniors Advisory Council of Nova Scotia has housing for seniors as one of its three identified priorities for 2022-23. While this announcement is not only for seniors’ housing, additional funding which can be directed towards repairs and upgrades to assist seniors to stay in their homes longer is welcomed by the council.”
– Terry Donovan, Chair, Seniors Advisory Council of Nova Scotia
“My wife and I love our little home and this is helping with modifications that will allow us to stay here. When we needed some assistance, the program really came through for us.”
– David Simpson, program participant, South Farmington, Annapolis County
Quick Facts:
— applicants must meet eligibility requirements and assistance is limited to urgent emergency repairs or necessary repairs and upgrades that improve health and safety and extend the life of the property
— this investment is in addition to $18.7 million budgeted for the programs in 2022-2023
— more than 950 households had received support through the programs as of August
— the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission recommended increased funding for the repair and renewal of existing affordable homes
— the Province’s accessibility strategy, Access by Design 2030, outlines how the government achieves an accessible province by providing persons with disabilities with equitable access to programs, services, information and infrastructure
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission report – Charting a new course for affordable housing in Nova Scotia: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/affordable-housing-report-spring-2021
Mandate letter of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-MAH-EMO-MR.pdf
National Housing Strategy: https://www.placetocallhome.ca/
Access by Design 2030: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/access-by-design/
Seniors Care Grant, which provides up to $1,000 this year to eligible seniors to help with costs of household and healthcare services, including small home repairs, home heating and repairs due to hurricane Fiona: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-help-household-healthcare-and-home-heating-costs-seniors-care-grant
