Manitoba Housing

Home Repair Programs for Home Owners

Shannon Greer April 2017

! Manitoba Emergency Repair Program for Homeowners (MERPH)

! Homeowner Renovation Assistance Program (HRAP)

! Residential Adaptations for Disabilities (RAD)

Home Repair Programs

MERPH – Manitoba Emergency Repair Program for Homeowners

! Manitoba Housing provides funding to low income homeowners to assist with urgent home repairs.

! Up to $5,000 is available for eligible home owners in an urgent situation.

MERPH Funding

To be eligible: ! You own and live-in, not rent, your home.

! The total gross household income is at or below the Program Income Limit. ◦ $39,000 without dependents ◦ $52,000 with dependents

MERPH – Eligible Home Owners

Types of urgent repairs that may be considered under the MERPH program.

! Structural Failure.

! Major Plumbing problems.

! Failure of main heating source.

! Sever damage to your home, roof, windows, doors, exterior walls, etc.

Emergency Repairs MERPH

! If you are eligible, a program Inspector may visit your home to determine if the repair applied for qualifies for program funding.

! A final inspection of the completed work is required prior to the payment of funds.

MERPH - Home Inspection

! All other means of funding must be exhausted . I.E. Home insurance, Manitoba Hydro

! All emergency repairs must be completed within 90 days of approval.

! You are responsible for any repair costs that are over the amount of program funding.

! Work done before you receive program approval is not eligible for assistance.

Important Notes

HRAP - Homeowner Renovation Assistance Program

! Homeowners with low income may be eligible for financial help to repair or restore their home to a minimum level of health and safety.

HRAP

HRAP - Qualifying Repairs! To qualify for assistance repairs must be related to a least one of the following:

! Structural

! Electrical

! Plumbing

! Heating

! Fire Safety

HRAP – Eligible HomeownersTo be eligible:

A) Your house is • your primary residence; • in need of major repair; • at least 5 years old; and • valued at less than $287,000.

B) Your total household gross income is at or below the Program Income Limit.

$39,000 without Dependents

$52,000 with Dependents

Program Income Limit

!Up to $20,000 is available for eligible households with homes in need of major repair.

! The funding is an approved loan that is forgiven over 5 years.

HRAP Funding

! Manitoba Housing will arrange to inspect your home to determine what repairs are needed to bring your home to a minimum level of health and safety.

! Pre and post home inspections are a program requirement.

HRAP - Inspections

! Homeowner is responsible for any repair costs that are over the program funding.

! All repairs must be completed within 6 months of approval.

! Funding does not have to be paid back unless you sell, rent or transfer title of your home before the 5 year forgiveness period is over.

! Work done before you receive program approval is not eligible for assistance.

HRAP- Important Notes

RAD – Residential Adaptations for Disabilities

Homeowners with low income may be eligible for financial help to modify their home to help a household member who has a disability or limitation.

RAD

To be eligible: ! You own the house and the home is your primary residence.

! Someone in your household has a disability or limitation that makes it difficult to perform daily living activities. (Doctor documented).

! Your total household income is at or below the Program Income Limit. $39,000 without dependents $52,000 with dependents

RAD - Eligibility

! Mobility – limited ability to move from room to room.

! Agility – limited ability to bend, dress, or use fingers to grasp or handle objects.

! Endurance – limited ability to carry things or stand for a long period of time.

! Sight - limited ability to see.

! Hearing – limited ability to hear conversions.

RAD – Disabilities or Limitations

Funding can be used to make permanent modifications. Following are some examples; actual modifications will be specific to structure and person’s needs: • Installing handrails in hallways and stairways. • Changes to storage areas in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room.

• Installing lever handles on doors, sinks and bathtubs.

RAD – Eligible Home Modifications

◦ Installing wheel chair ramps.

◦ Widening entryways and interior doors.

◦ Changing floor covering.

◦ Installing grab bars in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

◦ Moving plumbing and electrical.

RAD – Eligible Home Modifications Con’t.

• Relocating laundry • Lighted alarms/signals • Changing tubs, sinks, vanities and toilets. • Installing lift systems in bathrooms and bedrooms...

Eligible Home Modifications Con’t.

! Up to $16,000 in assistance for eligible households that require modifications to their home.

! The funding is approved as a loan that is forgiven over 5 years.

RAD – Funding

! Manitoba Housing will arrange to inspect your home to discuss the types of home modifications that are required.

! Pre and post home inspections are a program requirement.

RAD - Inspections

! Funding does not have to be paid back unless you sell, rent or transfer title of your home before the 5 year forgiveness earning period is over.

! Work must be directly related to the individuals disability and must be permanent.

! Homeowner is responsible for any repair costs that exceed the assistance available under the RAD program.

! Work done before you receive program approval is not eligible for financial assistance.

RAD – Important Notes

! Pre-screen for appropriate program. ! Complete and submit application. ! Income and ownership confirmed. ! Inspector visits property. ! Work Description created. ! Homeowner gets quotes from contractors. ! Owner send in quotes and receives feedback. ! Loan details finalized. ! Contract signed and repairs start.

Homeowner Programs - Steps

! Security in place. ! Progress Inspections (optional). ! Final Inspection. ! Final payment. ! Forgiveness period starts. ! Forgiven if owner/occupancy maintained.

NOTE: There are deadlines at every step. If you are unable to meet these dates, you need to contact Manitoba Housing or your loan will be cancelled or it becomes due and payable.

Steps continued

Repair Program Income Limits MERPH, HRAP, RAD

Program Income Limits 2016

Community 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed 4 Bed+

Winnipeg & Catchment $33,500 $43,000 $47,500 $53,000

Program Income Limits 2017

Community Without Dependents **With Dependents

Winnipeg $39,000 $52,000

** Household Dependent is defined as: – a person under the age of 22, - a person under the age of 26 who is registered in full-time study, - an adult person who, because of mental or physical challenges, is recognized as a dependent for tax purposes.

NOTE: Income calculation is based on total household income from anyone in the home 18+.

Suite Planning

Secondary Suite Program

A secondary suite is a separate rental unit within a residential property that is managed by the homeowner.

Can be within the house, within or above a garage, or a stand alone building on the property.

Secondary suites can help owners afford their mortgage while they are providing an affordable rental opportunity for a household.

Secondary Suites Program

! Willing and able to meet all requirements of City of Winnipeg; including permits, zoning, variances, size restrictions, etc.

! Tenant Income needs to be below the Income Limit when the lease is signed. ◦ Family with dependent(s) in unit $71,255

◦ Family without dependent in unit $53,441

! Rent cannot exceed the Affordable Housing Rental Rates set by Manitoba Housing.

Eligibility

Inclusive of Heat, Water, and Gas – Winnipeg

2017

Affordable Housing Rental Rates

Bachelor 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom 3-Bedroom 4-Bedroom +

$607 $880 $1,092 $1,182 $1,425

! 50 percent of the cost, up to a maximum $35,000 for the development of a new secondary unit.

! Forgiven over 10 years and operated under an agreement with Manitoba Housing.

Secondary Suite Program Funding

For application information phone Manitoba Housing at

204-945-5566

To receive an application in person Visit Manitoba Housing at

200 -352 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB.

For on-line information Go To

manitoba.ca/housing/repair.html

Program Information can be Obtained by Contacting