MEMBER SUPPORT

• Improve housing conditions that directly affect the health, safety, and wellbeing of SȾÁUTW̱ children.
• Support timely repairs, renovations, and upgrades that make homes safer, more functional, and more suitable for family living.
• Reduce barriers that may prevent families from addressing important housing-related concerns.
• Promote child-centred living environments that support healthy development, rest, learning, and daily routines.
• Encourage housing improvements that strengthen family stability, dignity, and long-term wellbeing.
• Prioritize fair, transparent, and needs-based review of housing applications.
• Support responsible use of available housing resources while ensuring community benefit.
• Allow for shared-cost or repayment arrangements where requested upgrades exceed the standard funding limit.
• Strengthen overall living conditions in ways that contribute to the safety, comfort, and long-term wellness of SȾÁUTW̱ families.

Funding may be available for housing repairs, renovations, and upgrades that improve the safety, habitability, accessibility, functionality, or overall living conditions of the home for SȾÁUTW̱ children and families.

Examples of eligible repairs, renovations, and upgrades that may be considered include the following:

Health and Safety Repairs

Funding may support repairs that address conditions affecting the health, safety, and daily wellbeing of children and family members in the home. Priority may be given to repairs that reduce immediate risks or improve unsafe or inadequate living conditions.

Examples may include:

• Mould remediation and ventilation improvements
• Roof, window, or exterior repairs that prevent water intrusion
• Heating, plumbing, or electrical repairs that affect safe occupancy
• Flooring or stair repairs that reduce injury risks
• Repairs required to address sanitation or basic health concerns
• minor structural repairs necessary to maintain safe living conditions

Functional Living Space Improvements

Funding may support renovations or upgrades that improve the functionality of the home and help create more appropriate living conditions for children and families. Consideration may be given to projects that improve day-to-day use of space, sleeping arrangements, privacy, or basic household functioning.

Examples may include:

• Bedroom reconfigurations or partitions to improve suitable sleeping arrangements for children
• Kitchen or bathroom repairs necessary for basic family use
• Cabinet, fixture, or interior upgrades that improve safe and practical household function
• Repairs to walls, ceilings, or interior finishes where conditions affect livability

Accessibility and Child Wellbeing Upgrades

Funding may also support upgrades that improve accessibility, child safety, comfort, and the overall suitability of the home environment for children with specific developmental, mobility, medical, or caregiving needs.

Examples may include:

• Accessibility improvements such as handrails, ramps, or other minor mobility-related modifications
• Bathroom or entry upgrades that improve safety for children or caregivers
• Ventilation, lighting, or environmental improvements that support child health and comfort
• Minor modifications that support caregiving routines or medically necessary home use Safety upgrades that reduce risks to children within the home

Energy Efficiency and Basic Home Upgrades

Where appropriate, funding may support modest upgrades that improve energy efficiency, household comfort, and the overall quality of the living environment for children and families, particularly where these improvements help reduce hardship or support healthier indoor conditions.

Examples may include:

• Insulation or weatherproofing improvements
• Window or door replacements where needed to improve energy efficiency or indoor comfort
• Basic appliance replacement where directly connected to safe and healthy family living conditions

Funding Limit and Cost-Sharing Considerations

Funding of up to $25,000 may be considered per application. Where the total cost of an approved repair, renovation, or upgrade exceeds this amount, SȾÁUTW̱ may consider whether a repayment agreement, applicant contribution, phased approach, or other shared-cost arrangement is appropriate, depending on the nature of the request, available funding, and household circumstances.

Important considerations may include:

• The maximum standard contribution is up to $25,000 per application.
• Approval of the full requested amount is not guaranteed and will depend on eligibility, scope, quotes, and available funding.
• Requests above the funding limit may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a repayment agreement or shared-cost arrangement can be considered.
• Repayment terms, where applicable, would be documented separately and confirmed in writing before work proceeds.

These guidelines are intended to support SȾÁUTW̱ families who are seeking housing repairs, renovations, or upgrades that will improve living conditions for SȾÁUTW̱ children. Applications are reviewed with consideration for household need, the condition of the home, the potential impact on child wellbeing, and the responsible use of available resources.

Applicants may include:

• Parents, guardians, or primary caregivers of SȾÁUTW̱ children living in the home
• SȾÁUTW̱ families residing in homes where repairs or upgrades are needed to support child safety, health, or overall living conditions
• Households able to demonstrate how the proposed work will benefit the wellbeing of SȾÁUTW̱ children in the home
• Applicants with permission or authority to request the proposed housing work

• Families may submit an application describing the repair, renovation, or upgrade being requested and how it will support the wellbeing and living conditions of SȾÁUTW̱ children in the home.
• Supporting documents may include quotes, estimates, photographs, inspection information, or other materials that help explain the need and scope of work.
• Applications are reviewed with consideration of household circumstances, urgency, available funding, benefit to children, and the overall suitability of the proposed work.
• Applicants may be contacted if additional information, site details, or revised quotes are needed to support review.
• Approval may be full, partial, phased, or conditional depending on the request and available resources.
• Where approved costs exceed the standard funding amount, repayment or shared-cost arrangements may be discussed before final approval is confirmed.

• Funding is subject to available annual housing resources and may be approved until allocated funds have been fully committed.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed according to need, readiness, and funding availability at the time of review.
• The standard maximum contribution is up to $25,000 per application.
• Applications that exceed this amount may still be reviewed to determine whether partial funding, phased approval, or a repayment agreement can be considered.
• Families will be informed if their request is affected by funding limitations, waitlisting, or the need for additional review.

• Complete the Child and Family Housing upgrades application form.
• Describe the requested work and how it will improve the living conditions and wellbeing of SȾÁUTW̱ children in the home.
• Include available supporting documentation such as quotes, estimates, photographs, or inspection-related information.
• Submit the application to the appropriate SȾÁUTW̱ housing or program contact.
• Staff may follow up if additional information is needed before review can be completed.

Applicants are asked to provide:

• A description of the repair, renovation, or upgrade being requested
• A quote, estimate, invoice, or cost breakdown from a supplier or contractor, where available
• Photographs or brief supporting details showing the condition or concern, where appropriate
• Information about who lives in the home and how the requested work will benefit SȾÁUTW̱ children
• Any other information that helps explain urgency, health and safety concerns, or special household circumstances

Not every application will require all of the above. The information requested will depend on the type of repair, renovation, or upgrade being requested and the circumstances of the household.

• Whether the requested work will improve the safety, health, comfort, or overall living conditions of SȾÁUTW̱ children in the home
• Whether there is a demonstrated need and a clear connection between the proposed work and child or family wellbeing
• The urgency of the housing issue and the potential benefit of timely intervention
• The reasonableness of the proposed costs and scope of work
• The availability of funding and the need to distribute resources fairly across eligible households
• Whether partial funding, phased approval, or repayment arrangements are needed when costs exceed the standard maximum contribution

The following costs are generally not eligible for funding under these guidelines:

• Retroactive reimbursements for costs incurred before approval
• Costs that are not directly related to an approved language or culture opportunity
• Personal spending, discretionary purchases, or non-essential travel upgrades
• Expenses already fully covered by another funding source
• Alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, fines, penalties, or unrelated household expenses

The program is intended to support eligible housing-related work that improves child and family living conditions. The following types of expenses are generally not eligible:

• New home construction or major capital development projects
• Luxury, cosmetic, or non-essential upgrades that are not clearly connected to child or family wellbeing
• Landscaping, fencing, or exterior beautification not directly related to child safety or housing condition
• Detached structures, additions, or projects outside the approved scope
• Retroactive reimbursement for work already completed without prior approval
• Routine household expenses, personal debts, fines, or unrelated living costs
• Appliances, furnishings, or household items not connected to approved health, safety, or habitability needs
• Projects that cannot be reasonably verified, costed, or linked to the purpose of these guidelines

Applicants are kindly requested to submit only one application per request; multiple submissions to multiple people and departments may delay the review and processing of your application.

The program is intended to support eligible housing-related work that improves child and family living conditions. The following types of expenses are generally not eligible:

• New home construction or major capital development projects
• Luxury, cosmetic, or non-essential upgrades that are not clearly connected to child or family wellbeing
• Landscaping, fencing, or exterior beautification not directly related to child safety or housing condition
• Detached structures, additions, or projects outside the approved scope
• Retroactive reimbursement for work already completed without prior approval
• Routine household expenses, personal debts, fines, or unrelated living costs
• Appliances, furnishings, or household items not connected to approved health, safety, or habitability needs
• Projects that cannot be reasonably verified, costed, or linked to the purpose of these guidelines

Applications are welcomed on an ongoing basis and reviewed in a fair, coordinated, and needs-based manner. Staff may assess the request, review supporting documentation, and determine whether additional clarification, site information, or cost details are needed before a decision is made. Applicants are encouraged to submit complete applications that include:

• A clear description of the requested repair, renovation, or upgrade
• Supporting quotes, estimates, photographs, or related documentation where available

Applications may be submitted through the designated SȾÁUTW̱ housing or program intake process.