November 7, 2005- Low-income Nova Scotians will get help financing home repairs thanks to an additional $2 million in funding. Nova Scotia has some of the highest rates of home ownership in the country, and some of the oldest homes.

To qualify for housing repair program grants, total household income must be below set income thresholds. Eligible household income levels are determined by where an applicant lives in Nova Scotia and by household size.

David Morse, Minister of Community Services, announced today, Nov. 7, that the additional funding will be available under the Senior Citizens Assistance Program and the Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program.

"Housing repair programs help keep Nova Scotians in their homes by ensuring that those homes meet current health and safety standards," said Mr. Morse. "It allows families to maintain homes that might have otherwise been lost to them."

The Senior Citizens Assistance Program provides funding for lower income applicants over the age of 65 who would like to remain in their own homes but are not able to afford the necessary repairs. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for repairs which ensure that health and safety standards are met. For example, this may include repairs to roofing, plumbing and heating.

Grants of up to $5,000 are also available under the Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program for lower income Nova Scotians who need help to make emergency repairs to their homes. Examples of emergency home repairs may include fixing or replacing heating, plumbing, electrical systems or roofing.

The province also recently increased the maximum household income threshold amounts so that more people can access these housing repair programs.

Information on home repair programs is available at local housing services offices or on the Department of Community Services website at www.gov.ns.ca/coms