Cobourg, ON – August 17, 2023 – Northumberland County along with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland are continuing to maintain the current affordable housing stock with the launch of funding for the 2023 Northumberland Renovates program. Northumberland Renovates, a component of the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative, is funded by the provincial and federal governments. Over the past six years since the program first launched in 2017, 82 forgivable loans totaling approximately $1,060,000 have been issued to eligible local low-income homeowners to complete urgent repairs and accessibility upgrades. This year $200,000 will be available for eligible low-income local homeowners. The program is once again being administered by Habitat for Humanity Northumberland.
Aleecia Lugossy, administrator of the Home Repairs Program at Habitat for Humanity Northumberland
“As a part of Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s strategic plan for the next two years, we are focusing on where we can have the most impact on the housing crisis. We believe that keeping people safely housed through critical repairs with the Northumberland Renovates program is vitally important to creating a greater impact in our community,” indicated Habitat for Humanity Northumberland Executive Director Meaghan Macdonald.
Northumberland Renovates enables eligible homeowners to access interest-free, forgivable loans up to a maximum of $15,000 to complete urgent home repairs, as well as grants up to a maximum of $5,000 to reduce physical barriers to make a residence safer and more accessible. Previous repair projects include replacement of furnaces, roofs, window and doors, repairs to septic systems, accessibility modification including tub to shower conversions, ramps, and wheelchair lifts.
“By helping eligible homeowners to maintain their residency and lowering the rate of housing in need of repair, the Northumberland Renovates program is an important component of community strategies to foster a Northumberland where all residents have safe, appropriate and affordable housing choices,” states County Director of Community & Social Services Lisa Horne. “The County is pleased to enter into another year of this important partnership with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, as community partners continue to work together to strengthen the system of services and supports in place for people at all points along the housing continuum.”
Homeowners who are interested in applying for funding will be able to submit an expression of interest now. The expression of interest is available at https://www.habitatnorthumberland.ca/renovates. For more information about applying, please contact Aleecia Lugossy at homerepairs@habitatnorthumberland.caor 905-207-7534.
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