SUPER^ANNUATE'SNEWS
A Quarterly FSNA Kingston Branch Newsletter
Spring 2001

Branch Executive

Jim Hueglin	President
Bill Wornes	1st Vice President
George St. Denis	2nd Vice President
June Hueglin	Secretary
Ron Aquino	Health & Survivor Liaison Officer
Bill Coupland	Director/Assistant Health & Survivor Liaison Officer
Gerald Griffin	Membership Coordinator
Jean Griffin	Director/Assistant Membership Coordinator
David Smith	Treasurer
Bessie Smith	Director/Assistant Treasurer
Herb Norris	Director at Large
Donna Huff	Director at Large

Please note that members of the Branch Executive work from their homes and serve on a voluntary basis.

Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI) Program
(Telephone 1-800-704-6488)

 June Hueglin recently had occasion to help a friend apply for and receive a grant under the HASI program. The process was quite painless. Should you, or someone you know, feel you might benefit from the program she would recommend giving it a try.

Summary

 The Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence (HASI) program helps homeowners and landlords pay for home adaptations to extend the time that low-income seniors can live in their own homes independently. HASI provides one-time, non-repayable contributions of up to $2500.

Eligibility Criteria

 Homeowners and landlords may qualify for assistance as long as the occupant of the dwelling where the adaptations will be made meets the following conditions:
   is 65 and over;
   has difficulty with daily living activities due to diminishing abilities brought on by aging;
   has a total household income below the income limit specified for the area;
   is a permanent resident of the dwelling unit which is to undergo adaptation work.

 Before applicants can receive assistance, they must qualify for the program and their application must be approved. Assistance cannot be provided for adaptations done before the approval date of an application.

Description

What financial assistance is available?

 Assistance in the form of a forgivable loan of up to $2,500 is available. This loan does not have to be repaid provided that the homeowner agrees to continue to occupy the unit for the duration of the loan forgiveness period. If the adaptation work is being done on a rental unit, the landlord must agree that rents will not increase as a result of the adaptations. The loan forgiveness period is 6 months and may be reduced in extenuating circumstances. Repayable loans are not available.

What sorts of adaptations can be done?

 The adaptations should be minor items that meet the needs of seniors with an age-related disability. They could be such items as:
   handrails in hallways and stairways;
   easy-to-reach work and storage areas in the kitchen;
   lever handles on doors;
   walk-in showers with grab bars;
   bathtub grab bars and seats.

 All adaptations should be permanent and fixed to the dwelling. Exceptions can be made for equipment designed to give access to existing basic facilities, such as bath lifts. Supportive care, portable aids such as walkers and household appliances are not eligible.

More Information

 To obtain more information, or to find out how to apply for financial assistance under the program, please contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (click here, look under Housing in the Blue Pages of your telephone book or try 1-800-704-6488).