Ontario Renovates Programs

The Homeowner Ontario Renovates offers financial assistance to low-income households who own and occupy substandard housing to enable them to repair their dwellings to a minimum level of health and safety. 

The Person with Disabilities Ontario Renovates offers financial assistance to low income households occupied by persons with disabilities who require special modifications to improve accessibility to their residence.

Assistance Available

Assistance is provided as a 10 year forgivable loan up to a maximum of $25,000 to assist with the cost of certain work required to the home.

If the homeowner remains in the home as their sole and principal residence for the 10 year forgivable loan period, and complies with all program requirements during the term, the loan is interest free and payment free and is completely forgiven after 10 years.

The full amount of the loan is repayable if false information was provided by the applicant and/or the funding is used for purposes other than the approved use. If the homeowner ceases to occupy the home as the sole and principal residence, 10% of the loan is forgiven each year and the pro-rated balance of the loan is repayable.

Eligibility

Homeowners may apply if the value of their house is below a certain value and if their household income is at or below certain levels that are based on the number of people in the household. Eligibility is limited to properties in need of major repair in one or more of the following categories: Structural, Electrical, Plumbing, Heating and Fire Safety.

Program criteria includes but is not limited to:

• applicants must own and occupy the home, which requires work, as their sole and principal residence;
• maximum total household gross annual income at or below $60,000;
• the assessed value of the home must not exceed $300,000;
• the mortgage, property taxes, and home insurance must be paid up-to-date; with no arrears owing.

Approved applicants are required to sign a Loan Agreement to be registered on the title of the home. The cost of a legal representative and registration may be an eligible cost under the program.

1. Review eligibility requirements below and print the Ontario Renovates Program Application(PDF, 213.27 KB).
2. If you are deemed eligible for the program, submit a fully completed Application Package, including all supporting documentation on page four. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 
   • By email [email protected]
   • By mail or in-person
     Housing Services Division
     Attention: Loans Officer
     350 King Street East,  Suite 110 
     Hamilton ON, L8N 3Y3 

If you received previous Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) funding within the last 15 years or Down payment Assistance Program through the City of Hamilton, you would NOT be eligible for Ontario Renovates.