Housing Services Frequently Asked Questions

1. How old do you have to be to be considered a senior?
2. What is my present status on the waiting list? When will I be served?
3. If I have a mortgage with you, can bi-weekly payments be automatically taken out of our bank account?
4. Are Department of Community Services mortgages life insured?
5. What does the Department of Community Services consider an emergency repair?
6. Can I have the work done and then send bills to your Department?
7. Is this the office that handles public housing/social housing?
8. How do I qualify for a grant, loan or mortgage?
9. What is Co-op Housing?
10. How do I join a housing Co-op?

 

1. How old do you have to be to be considered a senior?
   For the purposes of our programs targeted to Senior Citizens, you are considered to be a senior citizen at the age of 65. When applying for residency in public housing units, the senior age guideline is 58.
2. What is my present status on the waiting list? When will I be served?
   Demand for assistance usually is greater than program funding limits. Applications are reviewed to determine the urgency of the repairs, and we deal with the greatest need for repairs first. The period of wait can be from two weeks to 12 months, depending on the urgency of the work and as funding for our programs permit. When repair requests are similar, applicants are dealt with in chronological order. The Department's objective is to serve eligible applicants within 6 months.
3. If I have a mortgage with you, can bi-weekly payments be automatically taken out of our bank account?
   While the Department does not offer a bi-weekly automatic debit plan, arrangements can be made for clients to make bi-weekly payments using postdated cheques.
4. Are Department of Community Services mortgages life insured?
   No, we do not offer life insurance on our mortgages. Clients may be able to obtain mortgage insurance from outside sources.
5. What does the Department of Community Services consider an emergency repair?
   For the purposes of our programs, a repair is considered an emergency that must be dealt with immediately to ensure the health and safety of an applicant, for example a condemned furnace or faulty wiring. An urgent repair is one that relates to the home itself and should receive attention to prevent further damage to the house, such as a leaking roof. The Department attempts to determine the relative urgency of the repair prior to placing the application on the waiting list.
6. Can I have the work done and then send bills to your department?
   Any repairs carried out prior to approval by the Department of Community Services are not eligible for assistance. In order to control the expenditure of funds, the Department must evaluate the necessity of the repair and the availability of funds. However, if you have been approved, have hired a contractor and the work is complete then you can send the bills to the Department. We would then send you a cheque made out to you and the contractor.
7. Is this the office that handles public housing/social housing?
   While Public Housing and Social Housing programs are administered by the Department, persons interested in Public Housing should contact the nearest Housing Authority to make application to be housed. There are 7 such Authorities in the province responsible for managing about 12,000 housing units for families and seniors. Those interested in applying for other social housing may contact us, or contact Non-Profit Housing sponsors and Housing Cooperatives in their area.
8. How do I qualify for a grant, loan or mortgage?
   The Department considers various issues when determining client eligibility, such as income, ownership, employment, ability to pay and urgency of repairs.
9. What is co-op housing?
   A co-op housing project is owned and operated by the members of the co-op. It provides accommodation for low and moderate income families and individuals.
10. How do I join a housing co-op?
    To apply to become a member of a co-op you can call the Co-op Housing Federation of Nova Scotia at 423-7119 ( Halifax) and request a listing of the co-op housing projects in your area. You would then request an application from the co-op of your choice. It is up to the individual co-op's to select their members.