The PAD, or Home Adaptation Program, subsidizes the work necessary to facilitate the movement of people with reduced mobility in their homes. The processing of application eligibility was previously handled by the SHQ, or Québec Housing Corporation, but a change has occurred since spring 2020. The City of Montreal is now responsible for managing the budget allocated to beneficiaries. What are the eligibility criteria and benefits of these new provisions?
Eligibility Criteria for the PAD in the City of of Montreal
A person’s eligibility for the Montreal Home Adaptation Program is subject to the following criteria:
- This person must be declared disabled according to the Act;
- They have not yet received a subsidy under the PAD or any other program and insurance for home adaptation work during the 5 years preceding the submission of their application;
- Adapting their home is essential to ensure good living conditions for them. They must therefore include an occupational therapist’s report in their application, detailing their current and future needs to determine the appropriate equipment to install. The report must also indicate any psychosocial contexts that may affect the patient’s needs.
What Work and Equipment are Subsidized?
The Montreal PAD subsidizes adaptation work carried out to facilitate access to the interior and exterior of the home. Here are the modifications eligible for assistance:
- Installation of barrier-free showers;
- Reconfiguration of bathrooms and kitchens;
- Adaptation of living areas to facilitate access to essential installations such as electrical outlets or switches, as well as indoor circulation;
- Installation of necessary equipment and infrastructure to facilitate exterior access to the building.
The eligible equipment also includes the following:
- Stairlift;
- Ceiling lift;
- Platform lift;
- Automatic garage door opener;
- Communication equipment such as a strobe doorbell.
What other Costs are Subsidized by the PAD?
The PAD can also subsidize other costs indirectly related to the necessary adaptation work:
- The occupational therapist’s fees, whose report is essential for program eligibility;
- The fees of an architect or engineer who carries out the study and design of the adaptation project;
- Costs related to obtaining the work permit, or even tree felling, if applicable.
In What Cases Can Subsidies be Refused?
However, projects may not be eligible for subsidies offered under the PAD. Here are the main reasons for refusal:
- The work began before the official declaration of approval of the subsidy application.
- The 12-month deadline for completing the work has been exceeded.
- The project concerns the adaptation of the kitchen or the improvement of exterior access within a seniors’ residence or a family-type resource. Indeed, accessibility is among the required conditions for obtaining certification for these buildings. In addition, meals are already included in the services offered by these institutions.
What are the Advantages of this Change?
This change in the management of the allocated budget brings numerous benefits to PAD beneficiaries in the City of Montreal, particularly financially. They can indeed receive up to $35,000 to adapt their home instead of $16,000 previously. Furthermore, this facilitates access to the program for Montrealers and would surely reduce application processing times.
What are the Details Regarding the Subsidy Amounts?
The amount of subsidies offered under the PAD varies according to several factors such as the work to be carried out, the necessary equipment, or inherent costs. We summarize the details in the following tables.
Work
| Type of Work | Maximum Eligible Amount |
| Exterior Access Modifications | $10,000 |
| Improvement of Interior Circulation and Adaptation of Living Areas | $4,500 |
| Installation of a Barrier-Free Shower | $12,000 |
| Shower Adaptation | $4,500 |
| Full Kitchen Adaptation | $12,000 |
| Partial Kitchen Adaptation | $5,500 |
Equipment (Taxes and Installation Fees Included)
| Equipment | Maximum Eligible Amount |
| Platform Lifts | $11,000 to $30,000 depending on configuration, with an additional $1,500 for any extra options |
| Stairlifts | $4,000 to $17,000 depending on type |
| Inclined Platform Lifts | $15,400 to $17,600 depending on configuration |
| Patient Lifts | $6,300 to $10,500 depending on type |
| Overhead Gantry | $800 to $6,800 depending on type |
| Door Opener | $1,000 to $3,000 depending on type |
| Communication Aid | $1,500 |
Inherent Costs
| Occupational Therapy Report | $2,500 |
| Portion of Work Permit Fees | $450 |
| Tree Felling Permit | $100 |
| Public Domain Occupation During Work | $300 |
| Portion of Architect’s Fees (if required for permit) | $1,500 |
| Portion of Engineer’s Fees (if required for permit) | $2,000 |
| Certificate of Location (if essential for permit) | $600 |
In all cases, the total does not exceed $35,000 for a dwelling and $45,000 for a private seniors’ residence or a family-type resource.
Good to Know
It is important to note that the work must be completed within 12 months of receiving the subsidy. The granted amount is paid to the property owner upon presentation of corresponding invoices.
