Nova Scotia

Accessible Housing Program

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Accessible Housing program provides funding to low and middle income homeowners for home accessibility adaptations in Nova Scotia. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $18,000 in eligible accessibility upgrades. The program funding provides $10,000 as a grant and $8,000 as a forgivable loan. To have the loan forgiven, you must meet the loan conditions. Applicants with larger accessibility projects may receive an additional $20,000 as a repayable loan.

Homeowners must meet the repair eligibility criteria outlined in the [Accessible Housing Program Guide]

Please note that costs are not eligible if you complete the repair before funding is approved.

Eligible accessible adaptations must be permanent and follow health and safety standards. The accessibility adaptations must directly address the disability or permanent reduced ability of the household member. These include, kitchen or bathroom reorganization or adaptations, interior chair lifts and other adaptations.

Emergency adaptations include changes that make sure one can access their home. These include wheelchair ramps, widening a doorway, or installing an exterior chair lift. Please note that emergency adaptations are given priority.

Emergency adaptations include changes that make sure one can access their home. These include wheelchair ramps, widening a doorway, or installing an exterior chair lift.

Please note that emergency adaptations are given priority.

Eligible costs include: • material • labour • adaptation assessments • building permits • legal fees • related taxes

Eligible properties include: • single-family detached house • townhouse (semi-detached) or row house • condominium property • manufactured (mobile) home where ownership of the unit is verified

You can apply for this program if:

  • you or someone in your household has a disability or a permanent loss of or reduced ability (like a loss of mobility)
  • you own and live in your home where the accessibility upgrades will be applied and have an annual pre-tax (gross) household income that’s not more than the income limits in the Accessible Housing Program Guide
  • you own and have lived in your home for at least 1 year
  • you haven’t received previous grants from the Accessible Housing Program in the last 5 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
  • you haven’t received previous loans from the Accessible Housing Program in the last 15 years, unless the repairs are eligible emergency repairs
  • your property taxes are paid up to date or you have a payment plan in place with the local government for at least 3 months
  • your property value no more than $360,000 in Halifax Regional Municipality or $280,000 in other regions of Nova Scotia.

Proof of  residency in Province/ Territory

For example:

  • lease agreement
  • rent receipt
  • household bill
    • gas
    • electricity
    • cable television
    • telephone
  • driver's license
  • vehicle registration or car insurance
  • membership in social or professional organization
  • Other:
    • bank information
    • employment information

Proof of Expenses / cost estimates

For example:

Receipts, fuel, electricity or oil consumption bills, services and equipment estimates, medical expenses, student loans, property taxes, mortgage payments, all others.

Statement of disability

A certificate signed by a medical practitioner, learning disability assessment, document of federal or provincial disability assistance receipt.

To apply for the program applicants must do the following:

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Growth and Development. Thereafter, an inspector from the Department will visit the applicants home to confirm the required repairs.

Once an inspector confirms your eligibility and the required repairs, the Department of Growth and Development will send you a bid package outlining the repairs you need to obtain quotes for.

Once an approved homeowner obtains repair quotes from a contractor, they must submit the quotes to the Department of Growth and Development for review and approval.

Please note that the Home Repair and the Accessible Home Repair Program share a joint application form.

Last updated: October 15, 2025