Accessible Housing Program
The Accessible Housing Program helps low- and moderate-income homeowners with the cost of accessibility adaptations (upgrades) to help people with disabilities and seniors stay in their homes.
Apply to the Accessible Housing Program for help with the cost of accessibility adaptations (upgrades).
You need to use the funding for accessibility adaptations (like wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, accessible kitchens and other changes) that allow you to live independently in your principal residence. A principal residence is the home you own and live in.
Funding amount
The Accessible Housing Program may fund up to $18,000 of eligible accessibility adaptations. For larger accessibility adaptation projects an additional $20,000 may be available as a repayable loan. The applicant or other sources need to fund the remaining balance of the costs.
The funding provides $10,000 as a grant and $8,000 as a forgivable loan. To have the loan forgiven, you must meet the loan conditions.
Eligible adaptations
Accessibility adaptations need to be permanent and follow health and safety standards.
Eligible adaptations need to directly address the disability or permanent reduced ability of the household member (like kitchen or bathroom reorganization and adaptations, interior chair lifts and other adaptations). Emergency adaptations are given priority.
Emergency adaptations include adaptations that make sure you can access your home (like a wheelchair ramp, widening a doorway or exterior chair lift).
Eligible costs
Eligible costs include:
- material
- labour
- adaptation assessments
- building permits
- legal fees
- related taxes
Costs are not eligible if you complete the work before you’re approved for the funding.
Accessing the funding
Once your application is approved, the program provides a Letter of Approval that outlines the conditions of the grant. If you receive a forgivable or repayable loan, you need to sign an agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the loan. The Department of Growth and Development pays invoices directly to contractors (after you’re satisfied with the work and send the Completion of Work Form to the department).
Inspections
Inspections conducted by the Department of Growth and Development (or its representatives) confirm that the required accessibility adaptations are needed and were completed. Inspections don’t confirm compliance with any required building codes, standards or the construction methods and materials used.
Changes to accessibility adaptations
The Department of Growth and Development needs to review and approve any changes to accessibility adaptations that are outlined in your bid package. If changes to accessibility adaptations are not approved by the department, you will not receive funding for the repairs.
Eligibility
You can apply for funding if:
- you or someone in your household has a disability or a permanent loss of or reduced ability (like a loss of mobility)
- you own and live in your home where the where the accessibility upgrades will be applied and have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income that’s not more than the current household income limits (PDF)
- you own and have lived in your home for at least 1 year
- you haven’t received previous grants from the Accessible Housing Program in the last 5 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
- you haven’t received previous loans from the Accessible Housing Program in the last 15 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
- your property taxes are paid up to date or you have a payment plan in place with the local government for at least 3 months
- your property value no more than $360,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality or $280,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia
Eligible properties include:
- single-family detached house
- townhouse (semi-detached) or row house
- condominium property (building entrance with condo board approval)
- manufactured (mobile) home where ownership of the unit is verified
You also need to meet any additional eligibility criteria (like adaptation eligibility) outlined in the Accessible Housing Program Guide.
How to apply
- Review detailed eligibility criteria in the Accessible Housing Program Guide.
- Complete the application form.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Send your completed application and supporting documents by mail. Or visit a regional housing office.
- Department of Growth and Development reviews your application and confirms you meet the program conditions.
- An inspector from Department of Growth and Development visits your home to confirm the required accessibility adaptations.
- If the inspector confirms that the required accessibility adaptations are needed and meet eligibility requirements, the Department of Growth and Development sends you a bid package outlining the accessibility adaptations you need to get quotes from contractors for.
- Send your quotes to the Department of Growth and Development for review and approval.
How long it takes
It should take 3 to 12 months for the Department of Growth and Development to review your funding application and let you know if your funding application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to apply for the funding.
Before you start
Make sure you:
- review detailed eligibility criteria in the Accessible Housing Program Guide
- know your total household income
- have the Canada Revenue Agency tax slips for the tax year before the year you’re applying for
- have the Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for the tax year before the year you’re applying for
- have property tax bills and receipts showing that your property taxes are paid in full
- have all household members 19 or older available to sign the consent form