Yarmouth homes get up to $3K for repairs, maintenance from province

Some Yarmouth families may soon have their homes upgraded and repaired as part of the Neighbourhood Improvement Initiative. 

Joanne Bernard, the Minister of Community Services, announced Tuesday in Yarmouth that up to $3,000 in repairs and maintenance will be made to more than 180 homes in the town's south end. Landlords can also qualify for grants of $2,000 per unit, which they have to match.

"People need to feel good about their surroundings. It is key to building vibrant and healthy neighbourhoods and it's more than bricks and mortar," said Bernard.

The designated areas of private homes include Williams and Forbes streets to the east, Kempt Street and Marshall Lane to the south, Water Street to the west, and Haskell and Albert streets to the north. 

Denise Valcon, public health promoter with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, said neighbourhood improvements will have many benefits to people living there. 

"Improving physical infrastructure is a key factor to quality of life, health, and social well-being," said Vacon. 

The upgrades add to work already completed by the Town of Yarmouth to spruce up parts of the community. 

Mayor Pam Wood said the support of this program is significant to the town. 

"The process of revitalization goes so much deeper than beautification, it brings communities together, instills a sense of pride and generally enhances the quality of life for residents."

In order to qualify for a grant, homeowners must own and live in the home as a primary residence for at least one year, and plan to stay. Any single-family homes 30 years or older within the designated area are eligible. A home can be detached, semi-detached or row housing. 

You have to have a total household income of $48,362 or less to get the one-time grant of up to $3,000. That's the average household income in the Town of Yarmouth according to the 2011 Statistics Canada National Housing Survey. 

For landlords to qualify, there isn't an income limit. Like home owners, they have to own a residential property in the area at least 30 years old, for at least a year, without any liens or judgements against the property.

Landlords are eligible for a one-time grant up to $2,000 per self-contained unit, or $1,500 per bed-unit in a rooming house up to a maximum of $5,000. Unlike homeowners, landlords have to match the amount of funding they receive. 

The Yarmouth Neighbourhood Improvement Initiative has $300,000-$400,000 of total grant funding available. 

Staff from Housing Nova Scotia will deliver applications to homes over the next few weeks. They are also available online.