According to the federal government, approximately 38,000 low-income Canadians stand to gain improved living conditions through its two-year, C$256 million extension of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) renovation programs.

CMHC, the national housing agency, works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to deliver a series of renovation programs to households that are struggling with substandard accommodation. Since 1973, more than 750,000 households have benefitted from the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs (RRAP) alone.

Designed to raise housing standards to basic health and safety levels, CMHC's renovation programs offer financial assistance with home modifications and adaptations in a variety of situations:

• Low-income home owners living in substandard conditions may be eligible for up to C$16,000.

• Home owners over age 65 and/or those with disabilities may receive up to C$16,000 to modernize or modify their living space for continued independently living.

• Homeowners may apply to create a secondary suite or garden suite for low-income individuals over age 65 and for adults with disabilities. Secondary suites are self-contained units within a residential dwelling. Garden suites are self-contained, stand-alone structures that share a residential lot with an existing dwelling.

• Financial assistance is available to improve substandard housing conditions in First Nations communities.

• Victims of family violence may benefit under the Shelter Enhancement Program which rehabilitates existing shelters, and creates new shelters and second-stage housing. Higher funding levels are available in northern and remote areas. New shelter projects may receive as much as 100 percent of the project's capital cost from CMHC.

• Landlords may receive up to C$24,000 for each self-contained rental unit or C$16,000 for each rooming house bed unit to make units accessible for low-income individuals with disabilities or to bring substandard units up to minimum levels of health and safety.

• Property owners or landlords converting non-residential properties into affordable self-contained rental housing units and/or bed units may qualify for similar funding.

• Through Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI), homeowners and landlords may receive financial assistance to preserve the independence of low-income adults over age 65 and allow them to remain in their own home.

• Low-income occupants in rural areas or homeowners in other locations who face emergency repairs "for the continued safe occupancy of their houses" may qualify for up to C$6,000 under the Emergency Repair Program.

Qualification criteria are clearly explained by CMHC personnel. The website has many details and inquires may be made by email, or call 1 800 668-2642 for local contact information.

For the best results and the least hassle, invest time learning about your renovation choices, so that you can convince the CMHC contact that you know what you need and why. The more you know about what needs to be repaired or improved, and how that could be done, the more you'll accomplish on your budget. Contractors are generally not designers, so if you want something more than a "cookie cutter" version, you'll have to hire a designer or do the thinking yourself. The CMHC website provides detailed information on most aspects of home design and construction as well as many useful tips for successful renovation. Don't panic. You don't have to become an expert, just understand what questions to ask so you can tell a skilled craftsman from a skilled fast-talker.

"If I'd sat back and waited to see what [the contractor] did, I don't know how it would have ended," said one homeowner with disabilities who received funding for home modernization and adaptability from two CMHC programs. "I learned as much as possible about the program and the renovations. It came out well because I kept on top of the situation -- had problems corrected immediately, made sure they did the work to the quality level they had assured me when asking for my business. It took them longer [than they quoted], but resulted in a better job."

Receiving government funding does not protect you from shoddy workmanship, over-charging and many of the same problems that plague renovation projects. CMHC cannot recommend contractors or renovation firms. Search out licensed and insured legitimate contractors who are proud of their ability to budget properly while providing consistent qualify.

"Find a contractor -- interview 3 or 4 at least -- who values their community standing and reputation over immediate gain or a need to feed a cash flow problem," said the homeowner who benefits from renovations that were otherwise too great an expensive on a fixed-income. "Let them know this is CMHC funding and that cost overruns are the responsibility of the contractor. Get this in writing -- put it right in the contract, that you're under the RAPP program and there is no extra money. It's an enormous relief to know that you are not going to have to deal with contractors with their hand out."

Published: January 23, 2007

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" -- intent on "Challenging The Best Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 7 books and more than 1600 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy... Your Choice! (CatapultPublishing.com), which is filled with suggestions and insight on protecting and using home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?," which identifies 7 common mistakes professionals unknowingly repeat to their detriment, will be published in 2009. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors -- and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking -- a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on blogs, books and topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.