Apply for funding for community housing capital repairs: Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program

You need to use the funding to make capital repairs on residential community housing that includes affordable rental units for households with low to moderate income. Affordable housing is housing where the rent is below the average market rent (AMR) for the location.

Funding amount

Funding is available for up to 100% of eligible project costs. The applicant needs to fund the remaining balance of the project.

The funding provides a forgivable loan.

Eligible costs

Eligible repair costs include:

• structural
• electrical
• plumbing
• heating
• fire safety
• energy efficiency or conservation costs not covered by other funding sources
• accessibility and barrier-free adaptations, improvements or modifications not covered by other funding sources
• health and safety repairs
• replacement of kitchens, bathrooms and flooring (only with approval from the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing)
• restoration of rental units that aren’t currently livable

Other repair costs that may be eligible include:

• legal fees, including migration costs
• project management fees
• property management fees
• energy audit fees
• environmental assessments and studies related to eligible repairs

Ineligible repair costs include:

• work completed before the loan is approved
• repairs to any commercial component of the rental project
• purchase of appliances
• purchase or repairs to outbuildings (like sheds)
• landscaping that is cosmetic rather than a structural repair

Reporting requirements

If you receive funding from the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program, you need to submit annual reporting to confirm occupancy, tenant eligibility (on turnover) and rental rates for affordable rental units. You need to submit financial reporting throughout the term of the loan.

Accessing the funding

Once a project is approved, the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program provides a conditional approval letter and sample Project Contribution Agreement that outlines how funding is accessed and criteria the housing provider needs to meet. If the housing provider meets the required criteria, the provider and the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing sign a Project Contribution Agreement. The program provides funding after you submit a draw request (request for funds) for work that’s completed.

Eligibility

You can apply for the loan if you’re a community housing provider.

You need to:

• be non-profit society, charity or housing co-operative registered and in good standing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies or under provincial or territorial legislation in Canada and are authorized to operate Nova Scotia
• provide affordable housing to low-income households (at least 30% of your rental units need to be affordable units)
• have property management experience or engage a professional third-party property management company
• show that you need funding for capital repairs
• show that you have the appropriate governance structure or partnership in place to administer, manage and report on project outcomes

Affordable housing is housing where the rent is below the average market rent (AMR) for the location.

How to apply

1. Review detailed program criteria in the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program Guide.
2. Complete the application form.
3. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
4. Complete the budget template.
5. Send your completed application, supporting documents and budget template by email or mail.

How long it takes

It should take 4 to 6 weeks for the Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program to review your funding application and let you know if your application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application doesn’t include all the required information.

Cost

There is no cost to apply for the funding.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• description of property management experience or confirmation of partnership with professional third-party property management company
• Building Condition Assessment prepared by a qualified consultant within the last 2 years
• rent roll (total income from the property)
• audited financial statements
• project workplan
• itemized budget and quotes
• sustainability plan that shows how your future business model will be financially viable (capable of covering operating and maintenance costs)

Application form

Community Housing Infrastructure and Repair Program (CHIRP) Guide and Application (PDF 388 kB)