Canadian Mortgage News

January 2004 National News Archive

Federal Government Announces Renovation Funds

EDMONTON, Alberta, May 18, 2004 — The three-year extension of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and related programs in Alberta, totaling approximately $26.5 million, is helping low-income households including seniors, persons with disabilities and Aboriginal people to repair their dwellings to minimum health and safety levels. Funding is also available to improve emergency shelters and transitional housing for victims of family violence.

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Edmonton West, who said the programs, being provided through CMHC, include program enhancements to repair and improve the accessibility of the housing stock in the province.

"The Government of Canada, through CMHC, is committed to rehabilitating housing in need of repair for low income households," said Deputy Prime Minister McLellan. "This is an important part of our national affordable housing strategy to preserve and enhance the existing housing stock. It is also an effective and responsible way of supporting sustainable development through the rehabilitation of existing buildings."

The funding continues RRAP's 30-year legacy of meeting the housing needs of Canadians. RRAP is a cornerstone of Canada's national housing policy and is part of the Government of Canada's national housing strategy, which includes a $1 billion federal investment in affordable housing.

Fact Sheet — Renovation Programs

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's existing renovation programs, which help low-income Canadians, were extended by $384 million.

Improvements to the federal renovation programs were implemented recently to ensure the program is more effective in serving those most in need, including low income Canadians living in substandard housing, Aboriginal people, seniors, persons with disabilities and victims of family violence. The changes were made following consultations and an extensive evaluation of the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP).

The changes include an increase in maximum program assistance levels to reflect current housing renovation costs. All assistance approved through the programs is now fully forgivable.

Improvements also include a change in the calculation of total household income in recognition of the additional costs faced by persons with disabilities.

Program Details

Rental/Rooming House RRAP
This program provides assistance to landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to units and beds occupied by low-income tenants. The maximum assistance available varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit or $16,000 to $24,000 per bed depending on geographic location.

Shelter Enhancement Program
The program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for victims of family violence; and in acquiring or building new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

Conversion RRAP
This program provides financial assistance for the conversion of non-residential property into units or beds to create affordable housing for low-income households. The maximum assistance available varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit or $16,000 to $24,000 per bed depending on geographic location.

Emergency Repair Program
This program provides assistance to low-income homeowners or occupants in rural areas to undertake emergency repairs required for the continued safe occupancy of their homes. The maximum assistance available varies from $6,000 to $11,000 depending on geographic location.

RRAP for Persons with Disabilities
This program offers financial assistance to homeowners and landlords to undertake accessibility work to modify dwellings occupied or intended for occupancy by low-income persons with disabilities. The maximum assistance available depends on geographical location. For rental properties assistance varies from $24,000 to $36,000 per unit, and for homeowners and rooming-houses, assistance varies from $16,000 to $24,000.

Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence
This program provides assistance of up to $3,500 to homeowners and landlords to pay for minor home adaptations that will enable low-income seniors to live independently in their homes.

Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament for Edmonton West.

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)