Compassionate Grant program

The Compassionate Grant is a $1000 payment to a residential property owner or tenant affected by basement flooding due to sewer surcharging. The grant is not provided for basement flooding due to an event such as an appliance failure, sewer lateral blockage, or overland flooding due to a foundation crack or leaking window well.

Grant payment will be made only where established eligibility requirements have been met and proof of $1,000 in damage provided with application. A Compassionate Grant may only be provided once every five years unless appropriate flood mitigation measures have been completed.

You may qualify for a Compassionate Grant if:

1. You are an owner or tenant of a residential property in the City of Ottawa that experienced over $1000 of damage from a basement flood during a sewer surcharge event that happened after March 1, 2025
2. You reported the basement flood to the City within one calendar month of the flooding event
3. You apply for the grant within one year of the flooding event
4. You have not received a Compassionate Grant within the previous five years

1. Complete an online application or download the application form to complete and submit by mail or in person
2. Attach documentation confirming ownership or tenancy of the property during the basement flooding event
3. Attach proof of damage over $1000: 

• Photos demonstrating the extent of basement flooding
• Photos demonstrating damage to household goods or appliances that clearly show the date, location, and extent of damage
• Copy of an insurance claim
• Paid invoice for the rental or purchase of equipment such as a dehumidifier, wet/dry vacuum, portable blower, portable storage container
• Paid invoice for the purchase of services such as professional cleaning, professional repair or replacement of appliances, waste disposal or water removal

For a subsequent grant application proof of flooding mitigation measures such as:

• Confirmation of participation in the Residential Protective Plumbing program
• Confirmation of participation in the Rain Ready Ottawa program for redirecting downspouts or disconnecting a downspout from the storm or combined sewer system
• Paid invoice or before and after photos for the redirection, extension, or disconnection of downspouts
• Paid invoice for professional maintenance of a protective plumbing device

Your application may be submitted online, dropped off to any Client Service Centre or the Permit Desk at 951 Clyde Avenue N, or mailed to Compassionate Grant, City of Ottawa, 951 Clyde Avenue N, Ottawa, ON  K1Z 5A6.

Online

By phone

In-person