Forgivable Loans Ottawa, Disabled, Low Income Senior Home Owners
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.
Forgivable Loans Ottawa, Disabled, Low Income Senior Home Owners
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:
Ontario Renovates income requirements for homeowners
Household Size Maximum Gross Annual Income
One person $36,075.00
Two person $44,160.00
Three person $53,610.00
Four person $64,320.00
Five person $72,510.00
Six person $81,435.00
Seven or more person $88,900.00
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 o
f a forgivable loan and/or grant for eligible applicants
or participants up to a maximum amount of $18,500:
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
$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.
Forgivable Loans Ottawa, Disabled, Low Income Senior Home Owners
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 Forgivable Loans Ottawa, Disabled, Low Income Senior Home Owners
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
Inquiries
For more information about the Ontario Renovates program,
please call our information line at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300
email Ontariorenovates@ottawa.ca
