Rental Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program

The Rental RRAP offers assistance to landlords of affordable housing to pay for mandatory repairs to self-contained units occupied by low-income tenants. This program is available in both rural and urban areas. Funding is provided jointly by the Government of Canada (75%) and the Province of Nova Scotia (25%).

Eligibility Criteria

Owners of affordable self-contained housing units may apply if the household incomes of their tenants are below established ceilings, based on household size and area - HILS (Household Income Limits).

Eligibility is limited to projects having pre- and post-RRAP rents at or below the median market rent for the local area. In addition, the property must lack basic facilities or require major repair in one or more of five categories:

• structural
• electrical
• plumbing
• heating
• fire safety

Eligible Repairs

Eligible repairs are limited to mandatory repairs required to bring properties up to minimum levels of health and safety. Once repaired, the property should have a further useful life of 15 years, assuming normal care and maintenance.

Ineligible Repairs

Work carried out before the Rental RRAP loan is approved.

Description

This program helps fund repairs and modifications that help preserve Canada's stock of affordable housing.

Financial Assistance Available

The assistance is in the form of a fully forgivable loan. Only the costs of mandatory repairs related to units occupied by tenants with incomes below the HILS are eligible for assistance. Landlords must enter into an agreement which places a ceiling on the rents that may be charged after the repairs are completed, and limits rent increases during the term of the agreement. The landlord must also agree to limit new occupancy to tenants with incomes below the HILS.

The maximum amount per unit is $24,000. The landlord must cover the cost of mandatory repairs in excess of the maximum forgivable loan available.

Next steps

Contact the nearest Housing Services office of the Department of Community Services.