Housing Repair Program
The Housing Repair Program helps low- and moderate-income homeowners with the cost of emergency and health and safety home repairs.
Apply to the Housing Repair Program for help with the cost of home repairs.
You need to use the funding for emergency repairs and health and safety repairs (like electrical, plumbing, structural, heating and fire safety) so you can continue to live safely in your principal residence. A principal residence is the home you own and live in.
Funding amount
The Housing Repair Program may fund up to $18,000 of eligible repair costs. For larger repair 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 repairs
Eligible emergency repairs are repairs or issues in 1 or more of the 5 critical situation categories that represent a hazard to a property or occupants and may result in the occupants having to leave the home.
Eligible health and safety repairs are repairs or issues in 1 or more of the 5 critical situation categories that are less urgent but still require attention.
Critical situation categories include:
- structural
- electrical
- plumbing
- heating
- fire safety
Eligible costs
Eligible costs include:
- material
- labour
- 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 loan or 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 repairs 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 repairs
The Department of Growth and Development needs to review and approve any changes to repairs that are outlined in your bid package. If changes to repairs are not approved by the department, you will not receive funding for the repairs.
Eligibility
You can apply for funding if:
- repairs are an emergency or required to maintain the safe occupancy of your home
- you own and live in your home and have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income that’s not more than the current household income limits (PDF)
- you've lived in your home for at least 1 year
- you haven’t received previous grants from the Housing Repair Program in the last 5 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
- you haven’t received previous loans from the Housing Repair 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 is 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 (interiors only, not common spaces)
- manufactured (mobile) home where ownership of the unit is verified
You also need to meet any additional eligibility criteria (like repair eligibility) outlined in the Housing Repair Program Guide.
How to apply
- Review detailed eligibility criteria in the Housing Repair 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 your eligibility.
- An inspector from Department of Growth and Development visits your home to confirm the required repairs.
- If the inspector confirms that the required repairs are needed and meet eligibility requirements, the Department of Growth and Development sends you a bid package outlining the repairs 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
For emergency repairs (like no heat in winter or no water), it should take 1 to 3 days 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.
For non-emergency health and safety repairs, 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 Housing Repair 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 property owners and household members 19 or older available to sign the application form