A new, local initiative called the What If Fund stands ready to help cash-strapped homeowners or charities confronting unexpected repair or renovation bills.
Established by To Do–Done, a local handyman and maintenance company, the inaugural What If Fund will perform the equivalent of $10,000 worth of work for low-income homeowners and charities facing a crisis such as broken pipes, mould or the need to renovate to accommodate medical conditions. The crisis must significantly impact the recipient.
“Things can happen in an instant that change your life,” says To Do–Done CEO Tonya Bruin. “A pipe suddenly bursting can be costly to fix, and if you’re living close to the wire, you just can’t afford it.”
Bruin says a medical diagnosis can also throw a homeowner into a financial tailspin.
“It could be someone who doesn’t want to leave their home but needs to change a powder room into a full bath with a large shower to accommodate a wheelchair. That can be quite an undertaking by the time you pay for blowing out a wall and plumbing and electricity.”
With the equivalent of $10,000 worth of services currently in the fund, “We’re hoping we can say yes to lots (of applicants),” adds Bruin.
Genesis of the fund
Since launching To Do-Done three years ago, Bruin has seen first-hand how much people love their homes and how easily a crisis or long-term condition can make life so hard for some.
“I remember meeting a woman with her child in a wheelchair and it broke my heart that she knew she just couldn’t afford to make her home accessible for her child,” says Bruin.
So, she got busy and has established the fund by applying one per cent of every transaction from To Do–Done to it.
“I feel there’s a great need out there,” she says.
The fund’s future
Although the cut-off date for applications to the inaugural fund is March 16, 2018, Bruin says this is a long-term initiative.
“Absolutely. It will be an evergreen fund and constantly renewed as we bring on partners.”
The partners she refers to are other members of Ottawa’s contracting industry who she hopes will either donate their products and services or at least provide them at cost.
“We want to get everyone donating.”
How to apply
Low-income homeowners or charities facing a crisis who are unable to pay for their repairs have until March 16 to submit their projects and stories.
If you know someone who could benefit from the fund, you can nominate them. However, the fund is open to homeowners and charities only, not to landlords.
Bruin says decisions on applications will be made quickly, especially in the case of urgent situations.
She knows that, for the fund’s beneficiaries, a speedy response is critical both financially and emotionally.
