Are you aware that Housing Nova Scotia offers programs throughout Nova Scotia which help keep low and modest income homeowners in their own homes, and in the communities they've helped to build, for as long as they can? Our goal is to help eligible families, seniors and persons with disabilities make their homes safer and more accessible.
Some of the ways Housing Nova Scotia do this are through the provision of grants and forgivable loans for major repairs or renovations to one of the following areas: structural, plumbing, electrical systems, heating systems and fire safety. We also provide funding for accessibility modifications such as ramps, handrails, height adjustments to countertops, and bathroom renovations, as well as emergency repairs to heating systems, chimneys, doors and windows, foundations, roofs, walls, floors and ceilings, plumbing, electrical systems, etc. All projects that Housing Nova Scotia provides funding for are expected to improve the housing stock and provide safe housing for the owners.
Housing Nova Scotia programs can improve the quality of life for your residents, and repairs and renovations contribute to the both the economy and the tax base in rural Nova Scotia. Additionally, in 2016 Housing Nova Scotia introduced a Neighbourhood Improvement Initiative in downtown Amherst which was intended to support community revitalization within a designated area with the intention of building a foundation for a healthy and vibrant community. Housing Nova Scotia is redrawing the improvement area map to better reflect a more residential neighbourhood, and are extending the program into the 2017/18 fiscal year. This is a terrific program because it provides non-repayable grants to do minor exterior property improvements for both homeowners and landlords. These grants are made available for exterior street-facing improvements and can be repairs, replacements or the installation of new items which could include things such as painting, new doors, windows, paving, landscaping, etc. All items which improve the streetscape and will positively affect the vitality of the neighbourhood.
