Homeowner Eligibility and Application

Homeowners can get the BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) if someone in the household has a disability or permanent loss of ability and meets all other program requirements.

BC RAHA accepts applications first-come, first-served, prioritizing complete ones. Application intake is ongoing until funding runs out, it renews on April 1 of each year. Find answers to common questions about the BC RAHA Program.

Am I eligible for BC RAHA?

  • You, or a member of your household, has a disability or lasting ability loss
  • Your home adaptation request fits and relates to the disability or ability loss. Some requests need to be supported with an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT), or a Physical Therapist (PT), or other medical professional (such as a doctor or nurse) who can assess (physically or virtually) the applicant’s needs in the home and make recommendations on what adaptations are required
  • The tenant(s) and the person(s) requiring the adaptions must not be under sponsorship and must be one of the following:
    • Canadian citizen
    • Permanent resident of Canada
    • Refugee sponsored by the Government of Canada
    • Individual who has applied for refugee status
  • Total household income before tax is less than $134,140
  • Household assets are less than $100,000 (does not include equity in home being adapted)
  • The home being adapted is the primary residence of the homeowner and the person needing the adaptations
  • The BC Assessment value of the home is below Home Value Limits for BC-RAHA. Or the home value is below the average assessed value of homes in your area
  • The home needing adaptation qualifies for this program. Check: List of eligible and ineligible housing

Note: Adaptations completed before approval from BC Housing are not eligible. Exception: emergency adaptations required before hospital release. Emergency adaptations must be installed within four (4) months of hospital release date. Documentation confirming hospital stay and OT/PT assessment is required.

What application form do I use?

Complete and Submit your application

1. Complete the Application Form

Important: The BC RAHA Application Form is required. Previous HAFI application forms will not be accepted.

2. Include Supporting Documents

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed until all information is received. You have up to 90 days to send missing documents to complete your application.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come-first served basis. As funding is limited, only completed applications with all supporting documents will be considered for approval.

Accepted Supported Documents
  • Proof of Canadian Status for all homeowners and the person(s) requiring adaptations
    • Born in Canada: send a copy of Canadian birth certificate(s) or Canadian Passports
    • Born outside Canada: include copies of one of the following:
      • Record of Landing (IMM1000) or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM5292)
      • Any immigration document showing the date landed and the immigration code
      • Canadian Citizens of more than eight years, copy Canadian Citizenship Card(s)
  • Proof of income — Most recent Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for all homeowners and every other member of the household 19 years or older

Note: Don’t have a recent Notice of Assessment? Log into your CRA account at www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount to print your assessment or call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 to ask for an “Option C” printout.

  • Confirmation of the Disability Tax Credit (if applicable) – Copy your Income Tax Return showing the claimed Disability Tax Credit on L31600, L31800, or L32600. Or copy a letter from CRA confirming your right to claim the Disability Tax Credit. If your total household income is more than the Housing Income Limit, we can reduce your household income by the amount of the Disability Tax Credit
  • Proof of assets — Bank statements, investment statements or letters from your bank, credit union or other documents confirming the value of all assets for every member of your household 19 years or older
  • Proof of address — Most recent utility bills, a driver’s license, or other proof that the person(s) requiring adaptations lives at the address you want to adapt
  • Home Assessment - In Home or Virtual – (If applicable) an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT), or Physical Therapist (PT), or other medical professional. Review the Maximum Rebate Schedule to see which adaptations require an assessment. For information on assessments, review Tips for finding an OT or PT
  • Other documents
    • Housing co-op homeowners: Need a letter from the co-op with:
      • Proof that the co-op does not receive subsidy from any level of government
      • Number of units in the co-op
      • Approval of the adaptations request
      • Proof of membership or co-op share purchase
    • ​Mobile homeowners paying pad rental:
      • Landowner approval of any outside adaptations
Written Estimates

Most adaptations do not require an estimate. An estimate is required only for items that are not listed in the Maximum Rebate Schedule.

If the adaptation requires an estimate:

  • Provide an itemized estimate, listing the work. BC RAHA has a lifetime funding maximum. Carefully select adaptations.
    Estimates need:
    • Date estimate is given.
    • Name and contact information for the person completing the work. If you are performing the work, write as “self.”
    • List the work to be completed.
    • Cost for materials and labour, include taxes. If you are completing the work yourself, do not include labour costs.

Important

  • You are responsible for choosing your contractor and making sure the project meets expectations. Please refer to the Tips for selecting a contractor sheet for more information 
  • Any work carried out before written confirmation of approval from BC Housing is not eligible for assistance, with the exception that emergency adaptations required prior to hospital release may be eligible. The RAHA application must be received by BC Housing no later than six (6) months after hospital release. Documentation confirming hospital stay and assessment supporting the need for emergency adaptations is required

3. Submit Application

Complete all sections of the Application Form, attach supporting documents and submit the application:

  • Online: using the BC Housing Program Upload Form
  • By mail: BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations, BC Housing, 101-4555 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4V8

After you apply

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. 

Once reviewed, you will receive a letter advising if your application is approved, contians missing information or is not eligible.

If approved, you will have 180 days to complete the work. If work is not completed on time and we do not hear from you, your rebate may be cancelled, and funds may be given to another household.

Resources

Download the BC RAHA Homeowner application form.
Download the BC RAHA Landlord & Tenants application form.

Questions

Contact our office at 604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756.
Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:30pm PST (Closed on Holidays).