Ontario Renovates program

The Ontario Renovates program administered by the City’s Housing Services branch ("Housing Services"), provides limited funding to low income seniors and to persons with disabilities who own their home for necessary repairs and accessibility modifications to support independent living.

Eligibility of applicants

• Homeowners who are 65 years of age or older
• People with disabilities
• Families with a household member(s) who is a senior or person with a disability may be eligible if property value and income criteria are also met (criteria listed below)

The income requirements are based on household size and are described in the table below:

Eligibility of property

Your property may be eligible for the program if it is:

• Located in the City of Ottawa;
• Valued at or under $408,030 as determined by the province and verified by the owners most recent property tax or MPAC assessment; and
• Your sole and primary residence.

Eligibility of repairs and accessibility modifications

Your home may be eligible for the program if it requires repairs and/or modifications to make it safer, more accessible and more energy efficient. Examples of acceptable repairs and modifications include, but are not limited to:

• electrical and heating systems including chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations, roofs, walls, floors and ceilings
• plumbing
• septic systems, well water, and well drilling
• fire safety
• cues for doorbells or fire alarms
• ramps, handrails, chair and bath lifts, height-adjusted countertops

Please note that any repairs or modifications carried out before the loan or grant is approved in writing and a funding agreement is signed are not eligible and will not be reimbursed.

Scope of funding

The program provides funding in the form of a forgivable loan and/or grant for eligible applicants or participants up to a maximum amount of $20,000:

• Grants up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) can only be used for accessibility modifications to the home.
• Forgivable loans up to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) can be used for both accessibility modifications and essential repairs and must be approved by the program administration.
• The loan will be forgiven if you continue to own and live in the house for ten (10) years after the repairs or modifications have been completed.
• The amount of the loan is contingent on the total grant amount taken to equal a maximum of $20,000 in total funding received by the applicant.
• Eligible households can only receive the loan/grant amount that is verified by quotes for projects.

Duration of program

Housing Services is accepting applications and will continue to do so until all funds are spent or until March 31^st, 2020, whichever comes first.

Timelines

Once the Housing Services branch has received the application, the applicant will be contacted by letter declaring eligibility or non-eligibility. Applicants will also be notified if documents are missing.

Use of funds

Funds awarded can only be used for the purposes outlined in the Funding Agreement with Housing Services. If the cost of the necessary repairs or modifications is more than the maximum amount of the grant and/or loan provided, you, as the property owner, may have to cover the additional cost.

Reporting and follow-up

Housing Services may follow up with you annually to determine if you are the title owner of the property. If you sell or move within 10 years of receiving a forgivable loan, you will be required to pay all or a portion of the loan back to the City.

How to apply for funding

• Print and complete this application form [PDF - 162KB] and provide all necessary documents 
• Print this checklist
• Contact the program at the phone number or email address below to request an application package be mailed to you

All applications with necessary documents must be mailed or delivered to:

Inquiries

For more information about the Ontario Renovates program, please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca.

The Ontario Renovates program is administered by the City’s Housing Services branch ("Housing Services") and provides limited funding to qualifying landlords for essential repairs and renovations as well as modifications to improve accessibility of  their existing unit(s) or building(s) and  make them in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

Eligibility of applicants

The rental property may be eligible for the program if it is:

• Located in the City of Ottawa;
• Modest unit relative to community norms in terms of floor space and amenities;
• Rent affordability based on the Average Market Rent (AMR) for Ottawa as established by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Rental Market Report(link is external) (also see table below);
• Not at the same municipal address as the landlord's residence;
• A building or unit that require essential repairs and/or energy efficiency upgrades;
• A single unit or multi-unit building that requires modifications to increase accessibility and accommodate tenants who are seniors and/or persons with disability;

Eligibility of accessibility modifications

Examples of acceptable accessibility modifications include, but are not limited to:

• Ramps
• Handrails
• Chair and bath lifts
• Countertops height adjustments
• Cues for doorbells and fire alarms

Scope of funding

The program provides funding in the form of forgivable loans to qualifying landlords:

• Forgivable loans up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per rental unit up to a maximum of $100,000 per property;
• Total loan is dependent on how many rental units are in the rental building and the scope of repairs approved by the Housing Services Branch;
• The loan will be totally forgiven if rent levels are maintained for the full 15 years;
• 1/15 (6.67%) of the total loan will be forgiven each year;
• Eligible landlords can only receive one loan per unit under this program
• A second mortgage must be registered on the approved property for all forgivable loans exceeding $25,000

Duration of program

Housing Services will accept applications until all funds are spent, or until March 31^st, 2019, whichever comes first.

Ineligible projects

The following projects are not eligible for Ontario Renovates funding:

• Retirement Homes, Long-Term Care Homes (including nursing homes), and crisis care facilities
• Units not subject to the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (except shelters and transitional housing that house victims of domestic violence)
• Projects that received funding under AHP (2005), AHP Extension (2009) – Rental and Supportive and IAH – Rental Housing
• Units for which the homeowner received Homeownership component funding under the AHP or IAH
• Social Housing units as defined under the Housing Services Act, 2011

Timelines

Once Housing Services has received the application, the applicant will be contacted by letter declaring eligibility or non-eligibility. Applicants will also be notified if documents are missing.

Release of funds

Funding will be committed to an approved rental property owner upon signing a Funding Agreement document with Housing Services outlining the total amount funded and the terms and conditions attached to the use and release of funds.

Please note that any modifications carried out before the loan is approved in writing are not eligible and will not be reimbursed.

Use of funds

Funds awarded can only be used for the purposes outlined in the Funding Agreement with the City of Ottawa’s Housing Services branch. If the cost of the necessary modifications is more than the maximum amount of the loan provided, you, as the property owner, must cover the additional cost.

Reporting and follow-up

Housing Services will follow up with you on an annual basis for your rent roll for the funded unit(s) to ensure the units remain affordable. If you sell or increase the within 15 years of receiving a forgivable loan, you will be required to pay all or a portion of the loan back to the City.

How to apply for funding

• Contact the phone number or email listed below to request an application package be mailed to you

All applications with necessary documents must be mailed or delivered to:

Inquiries

For more information about the Ontario Renovates program, please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca.