Renfrew County helping low-income households with emergency repair grant

If a sudden home repair has your wallet in a bind, the County of Renfrew wants to help.

Their Emergency Minor Home Repair Assistance program can give low-income homeowners a one-time $7,500 to be paid directly to the contractor in order to make those necessary fixes.

That grant is targeted at those who are at risk of homelessness due to safety concerns if those repairs aren’t made, and covers a wide range of projects and costs including:

• Repairs to furnace or oil tank

• Furnace and/or oil tank replacements

• Water and sewer pumps

• Electrical repairs if ordered by the Electrical Safety Authority

• Modifications to support home safety and health such as bath rails, tub to shower

conversion, wheelchair ramp

• Roof repairs

• Chimney repairs and installation

• Health and safety issues that must be completed in order for the resident to remain safely

in their permanent accommodation

• Labour

• Applicable taxes

• Building permits

Applications are open right now, and low-income households invited to send one in as long as they haven’t already benefited from the grant before or used the Ontario Renovates Program.

A full look at the Emergency Minor Home Repair Assistance program, including the application form and what you’ll need to show the County to get the grant, can be found on the County of Renfrew website.

(written by Kasey Egan)