Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I benefit from building a secondary suite for affordable housing purposes?
Building a secondary suite provides extra income for you, increases your property value, offers possible tax exemptions through affordable housing, and lets you make a real difference in someone's life.
Will Unity Community provide or coordinate general contracting services to develop unused space on my property to be used for affordable housing?
Yes we can! Unity Community partners with local trades, engineers, and designers to assess, design, and build your space. We facilitate all of it!
I heard Unity Community covers the whole cost of the construction improvements done to my house?!
Yes, we do! Unity Community offers a way that covers the full cost of construction. Although you do have to pay it back if you want to claim the improvements entirely for yourself! So it is like a "loan" from Unity Community to partner with you in providing affordable housing to the community. There is no interest and you can pay down as little or as much as you want towards the FAIR MARKET VALUE of the housing improvement done on your property. Remember you cannot gain through a charity, that's illegal!! So once you pay back the full market value, you can exit the affordable housing program if you want, and reclaim it as normal market or do whatever pleases you alone.
What happens if I go with Unity Community to build my affordable housing space and then leave the program?
Unity Community will still expect you to pay off the FAIR MARKET VALUE amount of the improvement done at your property. Like any mortgage lender, an accredited appraiser will come to determine the current market value that you must pay in order for you to be released. Keep in mind Unity Community Housing registers a "charity lien" against your property title as security for our partnership with you to provide affordable housing for the public good. So if you choose to exit for any reasons, you are of course fully allowed but you cannot have any gains out of the public good which we, along with you, legally represented and continues to represent. It is all for public good only.
Do I have to find my own tenant?
No. Unity Community is actually your tenant. We will work with you to find a suitable beneficiary tenant who rents from us as we deal directly with this tenant who lives next to you. We help you and this tenant with our support network which involves many others in the community so that a "village can raise a child together." You will be involved in choosing this tenant with us.
Will the tenant sign a lease?
Yes. The tenant signs with Unity Community a fixed-term lease with clear start and end dates. A new lease must be signed if they wish to stay after it expires. All beneficiary tenants signs directly with UCH the rental lease.
Will the tenant pay me rent directly?
No. Unity Community collects rent from the tenant and pays you the agreed monthly amount, as outlined in your "charity lien", via e-transfer or other electronic methods.
Will modifying my property for rental purposes impact my insurance coverage?
Yes. Creating a rental unit can affect your coverage. It’s important to inform your insurer so they’re aware of the change and can provide a policy that adequately covers rental use.
Is Unity Community a registered Canadian charity?
Not yet. We are currently a non-profit organization that is actively in the process of becoming a registered Canadian charity, prayerfully by the end of 2026. We work with B.I.G. Charity Law Group regarding all legal matters.
Can I get an official charitable donation tax receipt for supporting Unity Community's affordable housing program?
Yes. You can donate now, and once we receive our charity registration number, Unity Community Housing can issue you an official charitable donation tax receipt, back dated to when the donation was actually received.
I heard UCH has monthly fun socials that as a donor or sponsor, I can attend!?
That's right. Unity Community has monthly socials where good fun and connections are made for the good of everyone. Our socials are meant to honor God, and you don't have to be a believer to attend, although there is a lot of encouragement and thanks given to Jesus! We offer socials either at the affordable household location and/or bigger venues like concerts and golfing.
How can I become a sponsor, for example, I am a drywaller and want to give my services and/or materials?
We have a sponsorship agreement drafted by our lawyers, B.I.G. Charity Law group. This actually becomes a 100% tax claimable expense against you as a marketing expense for yourself, so it helps you and not only us. This is one of the best ways to give. Please contact us directly to do this.
How do I apply for affordable housing with Unity Community?
Call, email us or complete the contact form on our website and a member of our support team will reach out to you to walk you through our intake process.