Accessible Home Modifications in Victoria, BC
Grab bars, ramps, walk-in tubs, and stair lifts. RAHA covers up to $20,000 for Victoria homeowners with a disability or age-related mobility loss.
Find Victoria ContractorsBC's Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (RAHA) provides up to $20,000 for Victoria homeowners making accessibility modifications. To qualify in the Capital Regional District, your home's BC Assessment value must be under $1,074,999, household income under $134,140, and liquid assets under $100,000. A household member must have a permanent disability or age-related mobility loss expected to last 12+ months.
$20,000
Maximum RAHA rebate (lifetime)
BC Housing
$1,074,999
Home value limit for Victoria/CRD
BC Housing 2026
$134,140
Household income limit (province-wide)
BC Housing 2026
$300
OT assessment rebate
BC Housing
180 days
Deadline to complete work after approval
BC Housing
The Context
The numbers on aging in place in Victoria
23% of Greater Victoria residents are 65 or older—the highest proportion of any metro area in Canada. Most want to stay in their homes. The problem: Victoria's housing stock is old. 60% of homes were built before 1980, which means narrow doorways, step-up showers, and stairs without rails. RAHA exists to fix this, but only 3,200 BC households used it last year. That's a fraction of who qualifies.
Why This Matters
RAHA pays first
Unlike tax credits, RAHA is a grant—you get the money before paying out of pocket. On a $25K project, you'd pay $5K upfront instead of $25K.
Tax credits stack on top
Federal HATC (15% of $20K = $3,000) and BC Senior's Credit (10% of $10K = $1,000) apply to your pre-rebate costs. On a $30K project, total benefit hits $24K.
No contractor markup for RAHA
Contractors don't charge extra for RAHA paperwork. If they do, that's a red flag. The quotes are the same whether you're using RAHA or paying cash.
OT assessment is rebateable
The $300-500 OT assessment required for major mods? RAHA covers up to $300 of it—even if you decide not to proceed with the work.
Services & Pricing
What you can get done
Grab bars
RAHABathroom and hallway safety bars. Most installed in under 2 hours.
$150–$400 per bar installed
Walk-in tubs
RAHALow-threshold tubs with doors. Requires OT assessment.
$8,000–$15,000 installed
Barrier-free showers
RAHACurbless roll-in showers. 3-5 day install typical.
$6,000–$12,000
Wheelchair ramps
RAHAWood, aluminum, or concrete. 1:12 slope required by code.
$1,500–$8,000 depending on length
Stair lifts
RAHAStraight lifts install in 3-4 hours. Curved need custom rails.
$3,500–$15,000
Door widening
RAHAStandard doors are 30-32". Wheelchairs need 36".
$800–$2,500 per door
Lever handles
RAHAReplace round knobs throughout the home.
$50–$150 per handle installed
Kitchen modifications
RAHALowered counters, pull-out shelves, accessible cabinets.
$3,000–$20,000+
Local Knowledge
Victoria-specific considerations
Victoria's character homes (Oak Bay, Fairfield, James Bay) often have narrow hallways under 36" and bathrooms too small for standard walk-in tubs. Good contractors know the workarounds: offset hinges add 2" to doorways without reframing, compact barrier-free showers fit 36"×36" spaces, and corner grab bars work where straight ones don't. Langford and Colwood homes built after 2000 are easier—wider halls, bigger bathrooms, fewer stairs.
Common Questions
FAQ
What is the RAHA home value limit for Victoria BC?
The RAHA home value limit for Victoria and the Capital Regional District is $1,074,999 as of 2026. This includes Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Sidney, and other CRD municipalities. Your home's value is based on BC Assessment, not market value.
How long does RAHA approval take in Victoria?
RAHA approval typically takes 4-8 weeks from complete application submission. The timeline depends on application volume—apply early in the fiscal year (April-June) when funding is fresh. Do not start any work before receiving your written approval letter or you'll void the entire rebate.
Do I need an OT assessment for RAHA in Victoria?
For major modifications (walk-in tubs, stair lifts, barrier-free showers, any project near $20,000), yes—an Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist assessment is required. For minor modifications like grab bars or lever handles under $5,000, a doctor's note may suffice. The OT assessment costs $300-500 and RAHA rebates up to $300 of it.
Which Victoria contractors are approved for RAHA?
BC Housing doesn't maintain a list of 'approved' RAHA contractors—you can use any licensed contractor. However, you need two itemized quotes with PST/GST breakdown, detailed scope, materials, and labour costs. Contractors familiar with RAHA know how to format quotes correctly and avoid common rejection reasons.
Get quotes from Victoria contractors
All contractors in our directory provide free RAHA-compliant quotes. No obligation, no pressure.
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