GLACE BAY, N.S. — A Glace Bay senior who caught hearts across the country over the deteriorated condition of her house says after waiting so long to get approved for a grant, now she’s having trouble trying to get a contractor to do the work.
Jeanette MacDonald said she had applied for a grant a long time ago but was turned down. After a story on MacDonald's situation was published in the Cape Breton Post on Nov. 1, officials with Housing Nova Scotia toured her house and then she was approved for a grant of up to $18,000 through the Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program.
After now waiting a month-and-a-half for the work to start, MacDonald recently learned the process hasn’t even started.
“I called the grant office and they said the papers have never been filed by the contractor,” she said.
MacDonald said she’s worried about a deadline for the grant and losing it. She hears all the time about seniors having a hard time getting contractors to do grant work and is speaking out in hopes of helping others.
“I feel bad for the seniors out there who can’t get the work done,” she said. “Now I understand what they go through. It seems contractors don’t want to do grant work for seniors.”
MacDonald, who has been raising her four grandsons from babies and lives on a small pension, said her front door is duct taped to protect them from the cold.
“I’ve lived in that house 37 years and haven’t froze yet,” she said. “I’m most grateful for my roof. I’ll never forget Jeremy Locke for that.”
Last year, Locke, the owner of Locke’s Roofing and Construction in Bridgeport, noticed the condition of her roof. In March, he stopped and offered to put one on for free, but not one to take handouts, she told him she had applied for a grant. In late fall he noticed the roof had not been repaired and with winter coming, was concerned and again stopped by MacDonald's home and this time asked her if she wanted to be included in a raffle for a new roof. MacDonald eventually accepted his offer of help, soon discovering she would have been the only one in the raffle.
Since the Cape Breton Post reported the story of Locke’s good deed, there has been an outpouring of support from the community.
ARL Mechanical Ltd. provided a heat pump, and J Peach Masonry built a new chimney. Lingan native Bobby Hanrahan, now of Caledon, Ont., bought the family beds and bedding.
Bradley Latham, owner of Moulding and Millwork on Keltic Drive, confirmed after hearing about MacDonald’s situation, he’s donating some bedroom doors and kitchen flooring.
MacDonald said early November, a Glace Bay man with a construction company — who wanted to remain anonymous — told her he solicited some donations in materials and offered do some labour for free. Appreciating the gesture, MacDonald said he also offered to do the grant work, but then never came back. MacDonald’s sister Pat Yorke, concerned the grant work wouldn’t get done, contacted the owner of the company and said someone was there within five minutes and took all the measurements.
“Since then I've waited weeks for the work to start and then learned he didn’t even put the grant papers in,” MacDonald said.
The Post contacted the contractor who said he’s pretty sure he faxed in his quotes to Housing Nova Scotia, but would do so again .
The contractor said getting grant work quotes and approval for work to begin is a long process. He’s been working on quotes for a woman in Sydney for six months now and has even modified costs in attempts to get approval.
“All I can do is put the estimate in and wait to hear back,” he said. “It’s a very long process.”
The contractor said he wants to help MacDonald, although most times there’s a lot less money for a company with grant work.
“Some companies just stay with grants,” he said. “I tend to stay away from grants. We normally do new homes and home renovations.”
The contractor said he has solicited some donations and will also be donating his labour to install a floor and some doors.
Susan Mader Zinck, communications with Housing Nova Scotia, said the department offers home repair assistance programs to assist lower-income homeowners with urgent repairs, health and safety related repairs, modifications for people with disabilities, and adaptations for so seniors can stay in their homes. Assistance comes in the form of a grant or forgivable loan with a maximum amount of $18,000. In an email response to questions, Mader Zinck said approval is provided once all the bids have been received and they meet the program limits.
Generally, Housing Nova Scotia allows clients up to 90 days to get quotes and 90 days to get the work completed. However, Mader Zinck said when circumstances warrant, they work with their clients to allow for more time when needed.
The programs assist more than 2,000 homeowners annually and the budget for this year is $16.9 million
In the meantime MacDonald said she was astounded over the incredible continuous outpouring of generosity over Christmas. A Glace Bay woman showed up with a $500 gift card and food and treats for her pets. A teacher of one of her grandsons arrived at the door with arm full of presents and groceries, and her niece Geraldine Roberts collected funds from her co-workers at Convergys.
A group of Dominion showed up with housecoats and pyjamas and a retired teacher’s group with gift cards.
MacDonald said in total there were probably more than 50 gift cards given to her from across Canada.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for it,” she said. “What people did, it was awesome.”
