Searching for Home Improvement / Renovation / Accessibility

Volunteers and community partners work together to build safe, affordable houses as a means of breaking the poverty cycle

The Habitat ReStore:

• retail outlet open to the public selling donated new and used home renovation materials
• accepts donations of new and gently used building materials
• pop can recycling program
• accepts electronic waste

COVID19 (2 June 2020): Some services offered virtually during the pandemic. See Online Virtual Programs page on website for details.

Programs for persons with disabilities

• vocational rehabilitation
• supported employment
• job preparation
• job coaching
• community development
• public education
• awareness of needs of persons with disabilities
• sensitivity awareness
• sssistive devices program
• home and vehicle modification program
• independent living services
• outreach/attendant care

Ontario Employment Assistance Services -- Offers employment services which may include dissemination of labour market information, employment needs assessment, career planning, employment counselling, diagnostic services, job search skills, job finding clubs, job placement services, developing an employment action plan, referral to appropriate interventions, assessments for disability-related accommodations and participant case management and follow-up

Limited funding to low income seniors who own their home and to people with disabilities for essential home repairs and accessibility modifications to support independent living, and for qualifying landlords to modify their existing units or buildings to make them more accessible to eligible seniors and persons with disabilities

Consists of two sub-components:

• Home Repair to assist low income senior or people with disabilities home owner households: Essential repairs and/or modifications to make the home safer, more accessible and more energy efficient may be considered.
• Multi-Unit Rehabilitation to assist: Landlords of eligible affordable rental projects to modify units to increase accessibility and essential repairs.

Modifications to increase accessibility related to housing and reasonably related to the occupant's disability including:

• ramps
• handrails
• chair and bath lifts
• height adjustments to counter tops
• cues for doorbells/fire alarms

Program administered by the City's Housing Services Branch

Reasonably priced home repairs and remodeling services to homeowners

• uses experienced craftsmen and other experts to deliver repairs including: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, ceramic tile, painting, drywall, and floor coverings
• provides free estimates
• experts available to complete the work at the homeowner's convenience
• all of the craftsmen are fully insured and bonded
• workmanship is guaranteed in writing for one year

Energy efficiency organization

• energy conservation
• energy efficiency
• strengthens and expands Canada's commitment to energy efficiency
• grants and incentives
• statistics
• analysis
• free publications

In cooperation with local utility companies, offers free programs to qualified low-income customers guaranteed to reduce a utility bill by decreasing natural gas or electricity usage

Program designed to make a customer's home more energy efficient and reduce energy bills

• providing insulation and air sealing at no cost, and with voluntary participation

Lowers energy bills by improving the efficiency of the home, lowering energy use by up to 30%

• increases comfort by retaining a comfortable temperature while reducing monthly energy costs

The program is offered throughout the Enbridge Gas Distribution delivery area

Non-profit organization that works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by delivering energy-efficient goods and services

• focuses on achieving cost-effective, concrete results for their clients
• operates in a business-like way in order to reduce its dependence on government grants and improve its long-term sustainability primarily by providing services that have not traditionally been available in Ottawa
• offers a number of programs that help low income families and individuals reduce their energy consumption and save money
• provides sustainable transportation services to Ottawa workplaces and residents, designed to encourage greener organizational practices and commuting habits

Loan program for home energy efficiency retrofits

• aims to support local residents to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

Range of drafting, design, construction and project management services

• ensures applicable Codes (Ontario Building Code), Standards and By-Laws are being adhered to
• home renovation and new construction needs for barrier-free accessibility
• custom designed additions, sunrooms and home renovations including basements, bathrooms and kitchens
• deck designs
• landscape design
• pool layout
• engineering available for all design and drafting projects

Federal grant aimed to help homeowners increase energy efficiency

Homeowners may be eligible for

• up to $5,000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their home
• EnerGuide evaluations (worth up to $600) and expert advice in order to plan retrofits

Volunteers and community partners work together to build safe, affordable houses as a means of breaking the poverty cycle

The Habitat ReStore:

• retail outlet open to the public selling donated new and used home renovation materials
• accepts donations of new and gently used building materials
• pop can recycling program

Nurse-managed construction company specializing in wheelchair accessible renovations such as bathtub cut-outs and grab bars to custom barrier-free bathrooms, kitchens and ramps.

Registered health care providers work with the renovation teams to help seniors, individuals with physical disabilities and those with mobility-related illnesses or injuries to maintain or regain independence at home, in their workplace and in their communities.

Certified Veterans Independence Program (VIP) providers.

• helps enhance the quality, affordability and choice of housing
• works to enhance housing finance options
• assists those who cannot afford housing in the private market
• improves building standards and housing construction
• provides policymakers with the information and analysis they need to sustain a vibrant housing market

Affordable Housing Programs in Ontario: click here for information on affordable housing

Non-profit, volunteer run community organization that conducts community-wide environmental projects and promotes environmental improvements within the Town of Smiths Falls and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Counties

• projects include Pitch-In Smiths Falls, community garden, Well Aware program, home energy audits, Evergreen Avenue

Environment Centre

• public education activities
• workshops
• displays
• newsletter
• website

REAL Deal Reuse Store

• household goods
• furniture
• building supplies
• home improvement store
• accepts and sells quality reusable materials and keeps them out of landfill

Program for low and modest income households that provides funding for major repairs and rehabilitation required to make a house safe and housing modifications to increase accessibility.

Home Repair to assist low to moderate income home owner households:

• repair their home to bring to acceptable standards while improving the energy-efficiency of the unit
• increase accessibility of their unit through modifications and adaptations.

Major repairs and rehabilitation required to make a house safe while improving energy efficiency including:

• heating systems
• chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations
• roofs, walls, floors and ceilings
• vents, louvers
• electrical systems
• plumbing
• septic systems, well water and well drilling

Modifications to increase accessibility related to housing and reasonably related to the occupant's disability including:

• ramps
• handrails
• chair and bath lifts
• height adjustments to counter tops
• cues for doorbells/fire alarms

Low-cost building materials store

• sells new and used building materials with all proceeds going to support the work of Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands
• donations are accepted but may be declined because of safety concerns, facility limitations, or marketability
• items are selected based on the ability to sell them

Financial assistance to low income homeowners by way of a forgivable loan in order to repair their home while improving the energy-efficiency of the unit and/or increase accessibility of their unit through modifications and adaptions.

Major repairs and rehabilitation required to make a house safe while improving energy efficiency including:

• heating systems
• chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations
• roofs, walls, floors and ceilings
• vents, louvers
• electrical systems
• plumbing
• septic systems, well water and well drilling

Modifications to increase accessibility related to housing and reasonably related to the occupant's disability including:

• ramps
• handrails
• chair and bath lifts
• height adjustments to counter tops
• cues for doorbells/fire alarms

COVID-19 Iakhihsohha Home for the elderly and Tsiionkwanonhso: Te are closed to the public. Visit the website for details on all the programs.

Client-centered care and services for older adults, and adults with disabilities:

• help people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible
• culturally appropriate services for First Nations

In-home nursing:

• registered professionals delivering individualized plan of care/treatment

In-home personal support:

• Personal Support Workers (PSW) are trained caregivers who assist individuals with their activities of daily living, including personal care, meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping

Home adaptation:

• home maintenance workers assist with minor home adaptations to assist individuals with accessibility and equipment

Respite and Palliative:

• temporary relief for caregivers caring for people with complex medical conditions and end of life care

Telephone reassurance:

• regular phone calls to older adults and people with disabilities who live alone, to check on their health and safety through the Emergency/Medical Alert Units and system

Transportation:

• non-emergency transportation to local medical appointments

COVID-19 (Jun 13, 2022): Staff are still available in-person, via phone and email.

Program for low and modest income households that provides funding for major repairs and rehabilitation

• to make a house safe and housing modifications to increase accessibility

Home Repair to assist low to moderate income home owner households:

• repair their home to bring to acceptable standards while improving the energy-efficiency of the unit
• increase accessibility of their home through modifications and adaptations

Program for households with low or moderate incomes that provides funding for major repairs and rehabilitation required to make a house safe

Emergency repairs only

Modifications include:

• heating systems
• chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations
• roofs
• walls
• floors and ceilings
• vents
• louvers
• electrical systems
• plumbing
• septic systems
• well water
• well drilling

Offers housing modifications to increase accessibility

• ramps
• handrails
• chair and bath lifts
• height adjustments to counter tops
• cues for doorbells and fire alarms

Works to foster sustainable communities and ecological integrity in the Ottawa River watershed:

• promotes and supports wise use of resources
• increases understanding of the ecosystems within local watershed
• projects include
• Nature in your Neighbourhood Guide and film episodes
• Renfrew County Biotabase online database recording the distribution and diversity of flora and fauna across Renfrew County visit http://www.bsc-eoc.org/birdmon/rcb/main.jsp
• local food promotion
• sustainable energy and home energy upgrade workshops
• promotes community projects and events on website

Disability resource centre

• provides information, support, and skills-building programs that address disability issues in the community supports people with disabilities, their families, and the community

Information & Referral:

• helps connect people with community income support programs, recreation, attendant services, poverty relief, social supports, etc
• assists with the process of applying for programs such as Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD)

Peer Support Programs:

• allow individuals with disabilities to share experiences and knowledge
• participants share information about managing a disability and help each other in developing strategies to overcome barriers
• offers one-to-one support, a weekly social group, and a monthly diners' club

Independent Living Skills Development Services:

• assist individuals to find the resources they need and develop life management skills to reach their goals

Resource Centre:

• extensive community resource library that offers information on topics such as food, shelter, and disability services in the community
• also offers a computer lab with internet access equipped with accessibility features such as voice input and voice output software

Direct Funding Self-managed Attendant Services:

• see separate record for details

Disability Tax Credit Support Services:

• assist individuals to complete the Federal Disability Tax Credit Application to obtain the non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities and their families reduce their income tax

Program which provides low-income home owners funding to address urgent repairs and complete accessibility enhancements.

Funding Type

• Grant of $5,000 for accessibility repairs/upgrades
• Forgivable Loan of $10,000 for urgent home repairs
• Combination Grant and Forgivable Loan $10,00 for accessiblity repairs in excess of $5,000

Examples of repairs that may be considered eligible

Health and Safety:

• order issued by Fire/Health Department
• heat such as furnace, heaters or other
• fire safety
• mould
• septic system
• water quality
• well drilling
• structural that threatens life safety

Accessibliity:

• ramp
• lift
• structural modifications such as bathroom fixture, doors widening, countertops, hand rails

Structural other:

• roof
• foundation
• soffits and fascia

Energy Efficiency:

• furnace e-star rating
• insulation to R-40 rating
• window replacement e-argon
• doors

Energy conservation and water protection programs

• services and education
• home energy assessments for renovation rebates
• commercial energy audits
• services for home builders
• volunteer opportunities

For more information, visit the website

No-interest property loan program encouraging homeowners to undertake deep-energy retrofits

• homeowners can qualify for up to $40,000 (or 10% of the current value assessment of the home) in loans at zero per cent interest
• option for an initial 30 per cent upfront to pre-pay contractors
• repaid via property tax bill over a period of up to 20 years