Ontario Renovates
Ontario Renovates — real money, different in every municipality
Money for lower-income homeowners who are seniors or have a disability, to make essential repairs or accessibility changes. Often the biggest single pot available — and the hardest to give one straight answer about.
We’re not government benefits experts — this is our understanding of these programs based on public information, and rules can change. Always confirm details directly with the program before applying.
There is no province-wide number
This is provincial money handed to municipalities to run. The rules, the amounts, and even whether it is open right now depend on where you live. Ottawa runs $20,000 total ($15,000 forgivable loan plus a $5,000 accessibility grant); other municipalities run the full $25,000. Both are “Ontario Renovates”. Anyone quoting you a single provincial figure is guessing.
How much, roughly
- Commonly up to $25,000 as a forgivable loan.
- For accessibility work, the first $5,000 is often an outright grant.
- Forgiven at roughly 10% per year over 10 years — stay in the home ten years and you owe nothing. Sell early and you repay the unforgiven part.
Treat all three as typical rather than guaranteed, and check your own municipality’s numbers.
Who qualifies
Homeowners who are 60+ or a person with a disability, under income and asset caps set locally. Hamilton, as one example, uses household income at or below $60,000 and assets under $30,000. Your municipality’s numbers will differ — sometimes substantially.
How to apply
Through your municipality or regional service manager, not the province. Search for “Ontario Renovates” plus your city or region, or call your municipality’s housing services line.
Timing matters more here than anywhere else
It’s first-come, first-served until that year’s funding runs out. As of the 2026 cycle, London was accepting applications, Waterloo opened April 1, and Cornwall had not yet opened — three neighbours, three different answers. If your municipality’s window is open, that is the moment to apply, even if the rest of your plan isn’t settled.
Combining it with other programs
Stacks with the tax credits. Should generally be applied for before HVMP, given HVMP’s exhaust-other-funding rule.