ONTARIO RENOVATES

Transcription

1 ONTARIO RENOVATES INFORMATION SHEET The Ontario Renovates programs, Investment in Affordable Housing [IAH-E] and Social Infrastructure Fund [SIF], are Ministry of Housing (MHO) programs for low and modest income households that provide funding for major repairs and rehabilitation that may be required to make a home safe and modifications to increase accessibility. The City of Cornwall as Service Manager, delivers the Ontario Renovates funding to eligible property owners within the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of SD&G. **Only applications with all required documents will be accepted. GENERAL PROGRAM GUIDELINES Homeowners can receive a loan with a forgiveness period of ten (10) years, provided the homeowner meets all the terms of the loan approval. To be eligible, the single-dwelling home must be the owner s sole and principal residence with an MPAC Assessment for the current year at or below $191,735. The maximum amount available is also based on the difference between your assessed property value (MPAC or Municipal taxes) and any lien(s) against the property (e.g., current mortgage balance, lines of credit, legal aid liens, etc.). In addition, the household must meet income limits below (line 236 of your 2017 Income Tax Notice of Assessment). Income Limits per Household: Household of 1 $42,000 Household of 3-4 $57,000 Household of 2 $50,000 Household of 5 or more $62,000 Funds are not available for work already started or for rental/income properties; and the homeowner(s) shall not supply any materials or provide labour to reduce costs. The contractual relationship is between the homeowner and the contractor.

2 ELIGIBLE HOME REPAIRS AND/OR ACCESSIBILITY MODIFICATIONS Home Repairs Maximum Loan of $18,000 To qualify, existing properties must need repairs to bring them to a minimum level of health and safety and extend their useful life by addressing necessary, essential repairs or replacements to at least one of these building elements: -Heating systems, vents and louvers, chimneys, electric systems, doors and windows, plumbing, minor foundation repairs on poured concrete, roofs, damaged walls, floors and ceilings. Accessibility Modifications Maximum Grant of $5,000 The funding may be used to modify existing dwellings to improve accessibility for homeowners with a disability or physical limitations. The improvements must be permanent and are intended to eliminate physical barriers, imminent safety risks and improve the ability to meet the demands of daily living within the home, including; -Ramp, handrails, chair and bath lifts, height adjustments for countertops, cues for doorbells/fire alarms. *Other eligible costs that may be included in the loan are building permits, legal fees, security agreement, certificates, appraisal fees, inspection fees, drawings and specifications and any other costs as approved by the Social Housing Divisions. Energy Efficiency: Ontario Renovates strongly encourages the use of energy-saving products or systems. Energy efficiency and water conservation measures will be promoted wherever possible for the required repairs to the home. The funding cannot be used solely for energy efficiency upgrades.

3 DO YOU QUALIFY? Homeowners may apply: If the property value, according to the MPAC assessment for the current year, does not exceed the Maximum House Value (for 2018 this maximum is $191,735). If the total household income falls under the Maximum Income Limits (e.g., combined income of all members of the household 18 years and older, excluding children/dependents that are full-time students). If the single-dwelling property is owned by, and is the sole and principal residence of the applicant(s). If the property taxes and mortgage payments are up-to-date. If insurance coverage is in place for the full value of the home. If the property is located within the City of Cornwall or the United Counties of SD&G. Terms: For home repair, up to 100% of the cost of qualifying repairs or replacements to a maximum forgivable loan of $18,000 (less legal costs, permit fees, etc.) per owner-occupied home, with a forgiveness period of 10 years. Homeownership confirmation is mandatory on an annual basis. The loan is forgiven at an equal rate of 10% per year if the homeowner continues to own and occupy the home for the 10-year period and remains in good standing. For renovations to be considered for mobile homes, the owner of the mobile/modular home must own the land on which it is situated (cannot be on leased land). For accessibility modifications, up to 100% of the cost of qualifying adaptations or modifications to a maximum grant of $5,000 per owneroccupied home. Repairs must commence within 90 days of project approval. Homeowners, who have previously received funding under Ontario Renovates, close or equal to the maximum, are not eligible to apply. Complete applications will be reviewed and processed until the funds allocated to the program are depleted. The City of Cornwall reserves the right to deny any application if it deems the repairs requested are not necessary repairs, will not extend the useful life of the home, or will not increase accessibility.

4 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION For an application to be accepted, the following documents must be included: Proof of income for all household members 18 years of age and older line 236 of the 2017 Income Tax Notice of Assessment. Proof of homeownership Deed or Charge or Mortgage must be in applicant(s) name. Proof of residency at property (e.g. Driver s license, utility bill). Proof that home insurance is current and payments are up-to-date (e.g. 3 months of recent bank statements and the portions of the insurance policy indicating the term and payment schedule or a letter from the insurance broker). Proof that annual municipal taxes are paid and u-to-date (e.g. Property tax statement and receipt). Property value assessment (e.g. MPAC assessment for the current year or the municipal tax bill or a municipal tax inquiry). Proof that mortgage payments are paid and up-to-date (e.g. 3 months of recent bank statements or letter from bank). If applicable, medical referral forms for home modifications for accessibility. If applicable, proof of full-time attendance at a recognized educational institution for students living in the household. HOW TO SUBMIT APPLICATION Please submit the application (pages 1 to 6) with all the necessary documents (listed above) in person to the Social Housing Division, 340 Pitt Street, 3 rd Floor, in Cornwall. For questions, please call Mike Furniss, Project Officer at (613) , ext 2344 or by mfurniss@cornwall.ca

5 ONTARIO RENOVATES Guide for Homeowners STAGES 1. Funds are not available for work already started or for rental/income properties. 2. Submit completed application with all required documentation to the Social Housing Division. Only applications with all attachments will be accepted. 3. The Social Housing Division will review the application and do a Title Search. Note: Where liens on the property exceed the assessed house value (e.g. mortgage, etc.) for the current year, the application will be denied. 4. An initial home inspection is schedules, with the homeowner present, to assess the requested repairs and to ensure the home is structurally sound. During this visual inspection, photos will be taken. 5. The homeowner will be required to get a minimum of two (2) itemized estimates (breakdown of material & labour costs) for each of the projects requested for repairs/modifications and to submit them to the Social Housing Division for funding consideration. Contractors participating in the program must have WSIB coverage; must be experience in the applicable trade; and must be able to complete all work in compliance with all relevant codes and legislative requirements. I/We, the applicant(s), hereby authorize the Social Housing Division and/or its authorized epresentatives to contact the contractors who provide estimates should clarification be necessary. Please initial Yes No 6. If/when the project is approved; the homeowner will enter into a Letter of Agreement with the City of Cornwall s Social Housing Division that outlines the scope of work, funding commitment, forgivable loan details, and roles and responsibilities of the homeowner and the Social Housing Division. If a building permit is required, it is the homeowner s responsibility to obtain one. The building permit must in be in the homeowner s name. 7. The homeowner signss a Direction to Pay and Confirmation for

6 Contractor for each contractor and/or supplier. The Confirmation will be mailed by the Social Housing division to each contractor/supplier. 8. The Homeowner signs a Promissory Note and if the forgivable loan is more than $5,000, the Social Housing Division will place a Certificate of Lien on title. 9. Repairs must start within 90 days of approval [the date when the Letter of Agreement is signed]. 10. The homeowner contacts the Social Housing Division when the work is complete so that a final inspection may be scheduled with the homeowner present. 11. The homeowner provides the Social Housing Division with each invoice received for payment once each project is complete. (Payment will be issued for approved projects only, as per the Letter of Agreement.) 12. The Social Housing Division will process each invoice for payment directly to each contractor.