Home Owner
Forgivable Grants for Ottawa – 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)
Get your copy of Directory Forgivable Canadian Real Estate Grants now at www.GovernmentGrantsCanada.ca
Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners
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 Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners 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.
Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners
Scope of funding
The Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners program provides funding in the form of a forgivable loan and/or grant for eligible applicants or participants up to a maximum amount of $18,500:
Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners go 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 $18,500 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 31st, 2018, 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 opens in a new tab or window [PDF – 162KB] and provide all necessary documents
Print this checklist PDF opens in a new tab or window
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:
City of Ottawa
Housing Services branch
Ontario Renovates program
100 Constellation Drive, 8th Floor West
Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8
For more information about the Ontario Renovates program, please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail).
Rooming House
The Rooming House Renovation Program falls under the Ontario Renovates Program that 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 funding to modify existing unit(s) or building(s) to make them more accessible and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
Eligibility of applicants
A rooming house 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 60% of the Average Market Rent (AMR) for Ottawa – (rent table is below (updated yearly by CMHC Rental Market Report));
- A rooming house that require essential repairs and/or energy efficiency upgrades;
- A rooming house that require modifications to increase accessibility;
- A rooming house that is in good standing with the City of Ottawa (or) actively working towards compliance as determined by the City.
Monthly Rent Unit Type 60% of Average Market Rent
Residential services home/Rooming House Up to $589.20
Examples of essential repairs
Examples of essential repairs include, but are not limited to:
- Replacement of windows to energy efficient double pane, low E argon windows;
- Roof replacements using attic insulation to a minimum of R40Furnace and/or heating equipment;
- Toilet replacement with low-flush or dual-flush toilet (6 litres per flush or less);
- Replacement of water heater with an ENERGY STAR qualified instantaneous water heater;
- Modifications of kitchen and bathrooms;
- Other items will be reviewed and considered that improve the quality of the dwelling for the tenants.
Examples 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 Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners program provides funding in the form of forgivable loans to qualifying landlords:
Forgivable loans up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per rooming unit (room) up to a maximum of $100,000 per property;
- Total loan is dependent on how many rental units are in the rooming house 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 as per CMHC Rental Market Report;
- 1/15 (6.67%) of the total loan will be forgiven each year;
- Eligible landlords can only receive one loan per address under this program;
- A second mortgage must be registered on the approved property.
Duration of program
Housing Services will accept applications until all funds are spent, or until March 31st, 2018, whichever comes first.
Timelines
Once Housing Services has received the application, the applicant will be contacted by a case coordinator from the Affordable Housing Unit. Applicants will also be notified if documents are missing. The full review of the application will include a visual property and building assessment and internal review by city staff. Please note that application review timelines may vary.
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 repairs and/or energy efficiency upgrades carried out before the loan is approved in writing are not eligible for the Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners program 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. If the cost of the necessary repairs and/or 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 to ensure the units within the property remain affordable. If you sell, transfer title or increase the rent beyond the 60% of AMR (updated yearly – CMHC Rental Market Report) 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 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:
City of Ottawa Housing Services
Ontario Renovates Program
100 Constellation Drive, 8thFloor West
Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8
For more information about the Ontario Renovates program, please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail).
Rental Units
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;
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 Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners 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 Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners program
A second mortgage must be registered on the approved property for all forgivable loans exceeding $25,000
Duration of Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners program
Housing Services will accept applications until all funds are spent, or until March 31st, 2018, 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
All applications with necessary documents must be mailed or delivered to:
City of Ottawa
Housing Services branch
Ontario Renovates program
100 Constellation Drive, 8thFloor West
Ottawa, ON, K2G 6J8
For more information about the Forgivable Grants for Ottawa Home Owners please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca (link sends e-mail).
DISCLAIMER
We believe the information contained in this
article to be accurate.It is presented with the
understanding that we are not engaged in
rendering legal,accounting, or investment advice.
When professional assistance is required,
utilize the services of a licensed real estate
broker, lawyer, accountant,
or other consultant as may be required.
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