Low-income families can apply for home renovation grants

Low-income families can apply for home renovation grants

The Habitat for Humanity project currently taking shape on Maple Avenue is pushing forward and plans to have a local family in their new home for Christmas. Pictured (left): Gaitan Labelle

CORNWALL, Ontario – A new application round is underway for Ontario Renovates, a popular home improvement program that assists low and moderate income families and seniors in Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

Through Ontario Renovates, eligible homeowners can receive funding for urgent home repairs as well as modifications to make their homes more accessible. Since the program launched in 2012, approximately 300 homeowners in Cornwall and SDG have received assistance.

“We are quite pleased with the response that we have received to date for Ontario Renovates,” said Stacey Ferguson, the city’s manager of social and housing services. “We have expanded the eligibility requirements in hopes of assisting even more residents through this program. The ultimate goal is to help residents stay in their homes longer.”

The Ontario Renovates program has two different components:

– An Urgent Home Repair component where eligible homeowners can receive a maximum forgivable loan of $16,000 which is earned over a 10-year period. Projects which may qualify under this component include upgrades to heating systems, minor foundation repairs, roofs and electrical systems.

– An Accessibility Modification component where eligible homeowners can receive a maximum grant of $5,000. Projects which may qualify under this component include ramps and handrails.

In order to be eligible, participating homeowners must be within the income limits per household ($40,000 to $60,000 depending on the household size) and the house assessment value must be below $180,000. In addition, the property must be owned and be the sole and principal residence of the applicant, and property taxes, home insurance and mortgage payments must all be up-to-date. The property must be located within the City of Cornwall or the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Funding is not available for work that is already started.

Application forms for the program are now available.

Application forms can be downloaded from the city website (look for Ontario Renovates under the ‘Popular Topics’ section on the main page of the city website). Copies can also be obtained from the City of Cornwall Social Housing Division Office at 340 Pitt Street (3rd Floor) or by calling (613) 930-2787 ext. 2344.

There is a dedicated amount of funding available so interested homeowners are encouraged to apply early.

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