Would a new ramp, handrails or walk-in shower help you maintain your independence at home?

BC Housing’s Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program helps low-income B.C. seniors and people with disabilities make home modifications that will allow them to continue living at home. 

Through HAFI, homeowners and landlords with eligible tenants can apply for financial assistance of up to $20,000 for improvements that make their home more accessible and safe. 

The goal of the program is to enable people who have physical limitations to live at home longer. People’s physical needs change over time – sometimes, a small improvement to a home can make the difference between being able to live independently or not. 

Types of eligible projects include:

•  Handrails in hallways or stairways,

•  Ramps for ease of access,

•  Easy-to-reach work or storage areas in the kitchen,

•  Lever handles on doors, 

•  Walk-in showers with grab bars, and

•  Bathtub grab-bars and seats.

The projects must be permanent and fixed to the home, although exceptions can be made for equipment that gives access to an existing part of the home (e.g. a bath lift). 

Launched in January 2012, HAFI is funded by the Government of Canada and the B.C. government through the Canada-B.C. Affordable Housing Initiative. Approximately 

$15 million in grants or forgivable loans has been allocated for qualifying B.C. residents.

To qualify for assistance from HAFI, recipients must be a low-income senior or person with a disability, a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, and a B.C. resident. Someone in the household must have a permanent disability or loss of ability that makes it difficult to perform day-to-day activities. As well, the total household income and assets must be below a certain limit. BC Housing can tell you the income and house value limits for your area when you apply. 

The program is open to both homeowners and those living in market rental accommodation where rents are at the low end of market levels; landlords must apply for improvements on behalf of eligible tenants.

 Eligibility requirements, an application guide and application forms are available at  www.bchousing.org/HAFI or by calling BC Housing at 604-646-7055.