Searching for Home Improvement / Renovation / Accessibility

Sells used or excess building materials that have been donated including:

• end-of-run fabricated materials donated by manufacturers
• building materials
• household materials
• used furniture
• household and office fixtures and equipment
• cabinets
• bathroom fixtures
• tools
• lighting
• windows
• assorted hardware
• appliances
• electronics
• tile
• paint

Money from goods purchased go to Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North to help build homes in Muskoka, Midland, Orillia, Sudbury, North Bay and Parry Sound

See website for a complete list of acceptable items and material

• Pick-up service is available
• E-Waste drop off center including the following materials: computers, televisions, radios, stereos
• salvage services

The Housing Department administers social housing for the District of Parry Sound:

• Has 330 rent-geared-to-income units across the District
• Determines eligibility for rent-geared-to-income housing
• Maintains the wait list for social housing
• Has a number of rent supplement units with private landlords

Administers the Canada/Ontario Affordable Housing Program and Ontario Renovates Programs in the District.

Owns and operates the Parry Sound District Housing Corporation with 215 units of rent-geared-to-income housing across the district.

Provides financial assistance in making modifications to homes and/or vehicles for people with physical disabilities

A program for low and modest income households that provides funding for necessary home modification including:

• home repairs such as new windows, doors, roofs
• home accessibility modifications for persons with disabilities
• purchase and installation of energy-saving products

Sells new and gently used quality household and building products, with sales helping to cover administrative costs of the affiliate. Products that might otherwise needlessly end up in landfills are purchased by builders, contractors and the general public. Sells everything from furnishings and lighting, to sporting equipment, home décor and art. The inventory is always changing as it is dependent on the generosity of corporate and private donors. Items are donated daily, so each trip will bring something new.

• Free Pick-up service is available
• monthly silent auction
• E-Waste drop off center including the following materials: computers, televisions, radios, stereos
• salvage services

Full service restoration company providing services for water damage, vandalism, fire/smoke, wind/hail, flood, mold removal, odor control, asbestos and other perils. Professional cleaning services for commercial and residential properties. Free estimates.

Low-cost building materials store * used furniture and appliances * 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

Provides assistance to residents through a range of services for housing related needs, including:

• help to maintain housing
• help to find housing
• help with financial assistance
• help for landlords
• help with support services
• help with emergency housing

Home building

• home renovations and additions
• wheelchair accessible homes
• decks
• fences
• bathrooms
• kitchens
• ramps
• door widening for walkers and wheelchairs

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

Provides deck lifts, stair lifts, elevators and bathroom installation and/or modification services

• 24 hour emergency repair service available

New, gently used, and restored building supplies, hardware, and furniture sold at reasonable prices.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore proceeds are used to build more safe, decent, affordable homes.

Engage skilled volunteers to design and build custom assistive devices for people with disabilities

• provide increased access within households - kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms - and other environments, such as vehicles or places of business
• volunteer engineers and technicians work one-on-one with people who have a specific need that cannot be met by commercial assistive devices

Energy efficiency incentive programs, funding and rebates to do upgrades to conserve home energy

Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus Program (HER+) -- refunds up to $10,600 for completing 2 or more home energy saving upgrades including insulation, air sealing, window and door replacement, heating and cooling and hot water

• visit website for more information on eligible renovations and amount of refund by renovation
• program replaces Canada Greener Homes Grants in Ontario

Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) -- low interest loans up to $75,000 for home energy improvement for homes in City of Toronto only

• loans to cover cost of improving home energy use such as high-efficiency furnaces and boilers and/or air conditioners,tankless water heaters, air source heat pumps, window and door replacement, basement/attic/exterior wall insulation upgrades and other energy improvements
• financing is attached to the property, not to the property owner
• may be combined with other energy incentive programs

COVID19 -- LIFE sessions and After Stroke programs are being offered virtually


Community-based rehabilitation and advocacy; affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities

Attendant Care Services -- non-medical assistance with activities of daily living

MODC Non-Profit Housing -- supportive care in 6 unit house, capacity 8, in Meynell House with additional houses around Ontario

Assistive Devices Program, 1-866-765-7237 -- financial assistance for adults to purchase or repair devices that increase their mobility and functional independence; may also assist with information or resources to assist in locating additional funding sources

Pop can tabs collection program -- proceeds support Assistive Devices Program

Home and Vehicle Modification Program, 1-877-369-4867 or 1-877-369-HVMP -- financial assistance (up to $15,000) for basic home and vehicle modifications for permanent Ontario residents with a substantial impairment expected to last one year or more

Acquired Brain Injury Services -- life skills, communication, community integration, emotional and behavioural support, vocational support, recreation

Conductive Education -- for people with neurological motor disorders; physical rehabilitation and education to train the brain and the body

DesignAbility, 1-800-263-3463, ext 7211

• volunteers work with persons with mobility challenges to craft creative, custom-built solutions to overcome barriers to work, play, personal hygiene and other daily activities
• no charge, except for building materials

LIFE (Learning Independence for Future Empowerment) -- skill-building transition sessions to provide support to young adults with a disability

Post-Polio Canada, polio@marchofdimes.ca, www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/postpolio -- in-person and virtual support services, resources and information for polio survivors

After Stroke, afterstroke@marchofdimes.ca, afterstroke.ca -- person-to-person support, educational opportunities and community-based programs designed to provide connection to other people, hope and life after stroke

Business and training services for other non-profit agencies

COVID19 -- Essential operations including responding to consumer inquiries

Electricity disconnection ban -- Disconnection for non-payment by residential customers banned until the end of the emergency order, extended to July 31

• low-volume, small business customers are also protected by the ban
• the OEB is calling on distributors to be more flexible on arrears payment arrangements

Time-of-use pricing -- customers on time-of-use (TOU) pricing pay regular rates as of Feb 23, 2021

COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) -- One-time on-bill credit that households, small businesses and charities can apply for to pay down electricity debt

• apply through your local utility, applications reopened on October 16, 2020 and residential customers do not need to be unemployed to apply
• for information COVID19 Energy Assistance Program

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Regulates, licenses, monitors and inspects energy industry participants including natural gas and electricity utilities

• investigates potential violations and enforces regulations
• regulates rates charged to customers and regulates rebates to consumers
• online inquiry and complaint forms
• online energy industry information and resources including lists of licensed gas marketers and electricity retailers, and bill calculators for electricity or natural gas usage
• Help for Low Income consumers -- summary of programs, www.oeb.ca/rates-and-your-bill/help-low-income-consumers
• consumer newsletters and brochures

Residential customers -- disconnection for non-payment is banned from November 15 to April 30 of the following year

• electricity providers are required to reconnect customers without power before the start of the disconnection ban period and waive any charges due to reconnection, including Collection of Accounts service fees
• for more details www.oeb.ca/newsroom/2017/ban-disconnection-homes-winter-customers-electricity-distributors-frequently-asked

Affordability Fund -- assists electricity customers who do not qualify for low-income conservation programs N.B. not accepting new applications

• affordabilityfund.org

Volunteers build custom-designed solutions and modification to help meet the daily needs of people with mobility issues and to maintain independence to the greatest extent possible. Projects are taken on if there is no commercial solution available or the cost of a commercial solution is prohibitive.

Provides funding to eligible applicants for basic home and/or vehicle modifications which enables children and adults with mobility restrictions to continue living in their homes, avoid job loss, and participate fully in their communities.

Energy efficiency organization

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

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

• 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