It is common knowledge that people living with a disability face lots of difficulties when performing even the most simple of tasks. Increased accessibility can enhance the quality of lives of people with disabilities and their relatives in many ways. Therefore, the Governments of Ontario and Canada have various grants and financial assistance programs to help them realize a variety of accessible renovations. This article provides basic information on these programs and financial aid, the conditions to be eligible for them and how to apply.
Information about Accessible Modification
Making accessible means anything that was done to a building, home or space to enhance its suitability to people with disabilities’ needs and their inclusion into family and society dynamics. An example of such improvements could be creating ramps at wheelbarrows, grab bars for holding, widened openings on doors and passageways, updated bathrooms, kitchen, dining and their amenities. Accessibility renovations aim at creating comfort, convenience, safety and efficiency for persons with disabilities.
Financial Aid for Accessible Renovations
There are several kinds of availability grants and loans in Ontario, Canada, to help finance the necessary renovations to increase the accessibility of a building. Some of these financial assistance options to facilitate affordable home improvements for people with disabilities and everyone else are mentioned here. These programs are constantly changing and new updated versions come and go as the years go by.
Ontario Renovates Program
Ontario Renovates is a government funded program assisting owners/landlords of affordable housing units with down payment or with making needed repair or renovating. Its main goal relates to providing housing options for low- and moderate-income earners in the society.
Assistance Offered
Ontario Renovates offer move credit up to 10 percent of the purchase price or appraised value of the home whichever is less for down payment. It also provides up to $10,000 for repair and rehabilitation of affordable housing structure.
Accessibility Grant by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
The CMHC provides several grants and subsidies to make it easier to afford the changes that make a home more accessible. These grants are intended to aid homeowners, tenants, and property managers to increase access for the physically challenged.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for CMHC accessibility grants, you must:
- be recognized as either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
- Either own or rent a property in the province of Ontario
- Prove having a need for access adjustments or accessible remodelling
- They must meet the stipulated income level demanded by the program
Assistance Offered
CMHC offers several grants and subsidies, including:
- The Accessible Housing Grant: Supplies up to $15,000 for barriers alteration to homeowners alongside landlords
- The Residential Accessibility for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Grant: May provide up to $ 7,500 for accessibility improvements for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities
- The Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI) program: Includes up to $ 10,000 for accessibility enhancement for low-income seniors.
Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDD AP):
An RDSP is simply a savings plan which can be utilized to pay for future financial needs of a disabled individual. Although this one is not for grant/loan on accessibility renovation, the money given can be you for such purpose.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an RDSP, the individual must:
- Be a Canadian resident
- The Consumer must be at least eighteen (18) years old and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- To be eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
- Be under the age of 60
Assistance Offered
RDSP may be funded by the individual with disability, his/her family, friends or anyone who wants to contribute. The government also uses matching grants and bonds, which can also assist the person in starting the account in the RDSP to save more money.
How to get Accessibility Renovations Financial Assistance
To apply for financial assistance for accessibility renovations, follow these steps:
1. Explore the different types of grant and loan programs to be able to choose which grant and loan type will fit your needs.
2. Make sure you have documents, and you meet or exceed the criteria for each program.
3. Go to the program administrator — either Ontario Renovates or CMHC and ask for the application forms and more information on how to apply.
4. Return the filled application form with the necessary documents on or before the stated date.
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