Program Description
The MNO Emergency Repair Program (ERP) aims to provide low-to-moderate income Métis Citizen home owners with a one-time forgivable loan to complete necessary emergency repairs that would compromise the homes integrity and/or improve accessibility for persons with disabilities up to maximum of $15,000.00. Additional funding may be available for high cost emergency replacement of septic systems, well water and well drilling, and foundations only (certain criteria applies).
Eligibility Criteria
- Registered Métis Nation of Ontario Citizen with a complete file
- Métis Citizen must be a registered title owner of the property
- Must occupy their home as their permanent full-time and sole residence
- The total GROSS household income from all occupants over the age of 18 years old must fall below the income threshold by region.
- Must have the ability to provide repair pictures and submit supporting documents to the program
- All title owners must sign, agree, and adhere to the program’s term and conditions (legal documents require signatures). Secured by a Promissory Note and Letter of Agreement.
- Must sign a consent and declaration form to access MNO registry checks and MNO inspections
- Must be a first-time ERP applicant (certain restrictions may apply)
Property Eligibility Criteria:
• Property must be below average market value
• Property must be in Ontario and off reserve
• Property must have valid property insurance
• Property taxes must be paid up to date
• Have eligible Emergency Repairs as confirmed by an MNO Housing Inspection
Eligible Repairs
All repairs are subject to MNO Inspectors recommendation. These may include but are not limited to:
- Insulation
- Roofs that show signs of leaking
- Primary Heating System
- Plumbing system
- Electrical system
- Accessibility modifications*
- Mold remediation
- Safe water supply
- Structural
- Foundation
- Well drilling
- Septic system
- Other repairs maybe considered by the housing programs coordinator upon review of supporting documentation and MNO inspector’s recommendation
*Grants may be available for accessibility modification for persons with physical disabilities. Please contact the program for more details.
Eligible Homes:
- Single detached homes
- Semi-detached homes
- Townhouses/row houses
- Condo (permission from condo board may be required)
- Mobile Homes (for those on leased land, permission from the landowner is required and land lease agreement must extend beyond the forgiveness period of 5 years)
Application Documents
Please ensure all documents are legible and all pages are included. Documents to include in ERP Application:
- Income Documents
- Each household member 18+ years is required to submit 2024 Notice of Assessment
- Rental agreement and receipts (if applicable for tenants residing in the home)
- Business activities for each business owned
- Alimony and child support payments and receipts
- MNO Citizenship Card
- Copy of your MNO Citizenship Card to confirm completed files as per MNO Policy #2021-001: Eligibility for Direct Benefit Programs and Services
- Photo ID
- Photo ID will be required for each household member 18+ years and all title owners
- Copy of valid Ontario Driver’s Licence or Ontario Photo Card showing home address
- MPAC Assessment
- Recent copy of MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) Statement
- https://www.mpac.ca/en
- Tax Bill
- Recent copy of your tax bill
- If property tax is in arrears, proof of payment will be requested
- Property Insurance
- Current copy of your valid home insurance policy showing homeowner’s name, address, coverage, and term
- Photos
- Clear photos for each repair item clearly showing the repair need
- Clear photo showing the entire front and back of house
- Other documents
- Doctors Notes or Occupational Therapist (OT) Report for accessibility repairs, Child support payments (income source or payment)
- Home inspection from time of purchase for Home Buyers Contribution (HBC) recipients
- Other documents may be requested upon review of your application
Important Notes:
- Due to funding limitations, applying to the program does not guarantee funding approval.
- Any work started or completed prior to receiving program written approval will not be eligible.
- Upgrades for aesthetic purposes or non-emergency repairs will not be eligible under the program including but not limited to garages, driveways, fences, landscape, paint, cleaning services, and any repairs not determined eligible by the program administrators.
- New homes under 8 years of age, new builds, and/or homes under construction will not be eligible.
- If the cost to complete the repair is over the approved amount, the applicant will be required to pay the difference from their own resources in-full prior to the release of ERP funds.
- After the desktop home inspection, homeowners are required to source their own contractors and provide 3 competitive estimates for each work item as identified by the Inspector’s Work Description. All unauthorized items will be declined and your application will be sent back to you.
- All title owners and MNO will enter into a legal agreement for a 5-year loan forgiveness term. Applicants will be unable to reapply to the MNO Emergency Repair Program until their earning term has ended for MNO Home Improvement Program or MNO Emergency Repair Program.
- Submit your application on time with the correct supporting documents to minimize delays with processing your request. Contact the program coordinator if you require assistance.
- MNO registry checks are completed on your behalf. Citizens who have complete files may be considered eligible under the program requirements. Check with MNO registry if you are unsure about your citizenship status, https://www.metisnation.org/registry/citizenship/.
- Must not own secondary properties, cabins, vacation properties, land assets, rental properties, business properties, property outside of Ontario, foreign property, etc.
- Applicants who have tenants residing in the home may be required to provide additional information. Tenant occupied spaces are not eligible for assistance.
Loan forgiveness will be earned at an equal rate of 20% over 5-year term. To earn forgiveness, homeowners must maintain ownership and residency for the 5-year term.
Loan Repayment will be required under the following conditions:
- death of the homeowner(s); sell, rent, or transfer of the unit; and/or the home ceases to be the sole and principle residence of the homeowner(s) prior to the loan forgiveness period being fully earned.
- Failure to submit proof of homeowners’ insurance annually and proof of address.
- Homeowner provides fraudulent or misleading information in the original application
In the case of 1) or 2), only the unearned forgiveness will be repaid. In the case of 3) the entire loan will need to be repaid.
Loan Security will be required:
- MNO ERP (up to $15,000.00) a Letter of Agreement and Promissory Note will be executed with the homeowner
For a detailed list of the programs Terms and Conditions, please contact the program.
Resources:
FAQ’S: For a list of Frequently Asked Questions please click here.
Additionally, make sure to read Ontario’s Know Your Rights Document, to navigate home repairs.
CONTACT: For more information about the MNO’s Housing and Infrastructure programming and services please contact 705-722-5022 x302 or email HousingPrograms@metisnation.org