Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #07-122
June 14, 2007
Yukon Housing Corp. Increases Home Repair Funding For Disabled Homeowners
WHITEHORSE - On May 18 the Yukon Housing Corporation Board of Directors approved changes to the Home Repair Program that assists homeowners with disabilities to modify their homes to barrier-free standards.
The Yukon Housing Corporation (YHC) board raised the maximum Home Repair Program loan amount for homeowners with disabilities from $35,000 to $50,000. The 2.4 per cent loan interest rate is available for the total $50,000 amount.
"The funding increase is in recognition of the additional costs related to modifying a home to address the specific needs of disabled occupants," YHC Chair Rudy Couture said. "Modification costs may include purchasing and installing specialty appliances and apparatuses such as bathroom fixtures, tubs and toilets, in addition to making a home wheelchair friendly."
"With our aging population, more elderly people with some level of disability are choosing to remain in the comfort of their homes," Jim Kenyon, minister responsible for YHC, said. "The board's approval of this program increase will help these homeowners to make the necessary upgrades which will allow them to remain in their homes longer."
YHC consulted with the Yukon Council on Disability, as well as with some homeowners with family members who have disabilities, to obtain valuable information on how YHC programming could be modified to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities.
Yukon Council on Disability Executive Director Kim Hague said, "The increase in available funding is welcomed news given the increasing costs to make these important home improvements often for households on fixed incomes."
For more information about the Home Repair Program, contact YHC at (867) 667-5759 or toll free at 1-800-661-0408, extension 5759 and ask to speak to a YHC Program Officer.
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| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications 867-633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Brenda Wale Communications, Community Services 867-667-5941 brenda.wale@gov.yk.ca |