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Provincial — Administered by City of Ottawa

Ontario Renovatesup to $20,000 in Ottawa funding.

Ontario Renovates is a provincially funded, municipally administered program that provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan plus up to $5,000 as an outright grant to low-to-moderate income Ottawa homeowners for essential home repairs and accessibility modifications.

This is the largest non-federal grant available to Ottawa seniors and persons with disabilities. Funding is first-come, first-served each fiscal year, so the order of operations — income documentation, City inspection, contractor estimates, written approval — matters as much as the paperwork itself.

Check Your EligibilityCity of Ottawa Program Page →
How the funding breaks down

Two separate funding streams

$15,000

10-year forgivable loan

For essential health and safety repairs or accessibility modifications. Forgiven at 10% per year you remain in the home. Repayable if you sell before 10 years.

Eligible examples
  • • Roof, furnace, plumbing, electrical
  • • Structural repairs
  • • Walk-in showers, ramps, stair lifts
$5,000

Outright grant

Strictly for accessibility modifications. Does not need to be repaid. Available to persons with disabilities and seniors with mobility limitations.

Eligible examples
  • • Grab bars, bathroom conversions
  • • Doorway widening
  • • Non-slip flooring

Note: The grant can only be used for accessibility modifications, but the forgivable loan can cover either essential repairs or accessibility modifications (or both, up to the combined cap).

Eligibility

Do you qualify?

Requirement

Home ownership

You must own your home in Ottawa as your sole and principal residence. Property taxes, mortgage, and home insurance must be up to date.

Requirement

Income limits

Household income must fall below the City of Ottawa's published threshold. Limits are revised annually and based on your most recent CRA Notice of Assessment.

Requirement

Liquid assets

Total liquid assets (cash, investments) must be below the program limit. RRSPs, RDSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, and vehicles are excluded from this calculation.

Requirement

Accessibility needs

For the grant portion, at least one household member must have a disability or significant mobility limitation. For forgivable loan repairs, the home must have verified essential repair needs.

Application

The application process

Funding is first-come, first-served until the City of Ottawa’s annual allocation is depleted. Apply early — and do not start work until you have written approval.

01

Request the application package

Call the City of Ottawa Housing Services at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 or download from the City's Ontario Renovates page. We can also provide the current package during your free assessment.

02

Gather documentation

You will need: government-issued photo ID for all homeowners, most recent CRA Notice of Assessment, property tax verification, home insurance confirmation, and a list of liquid assets for all household members 18+.

03

Submit the application

Return the completed application with all supporting documents to the City of Ottawa. Applications are screened for initial eligibility within 2 to 4 weeks.

04

Home inspection by City staff

If eligible, a City of Ottawa inspector visits your home to verify repair needs and accessibility requirements. This inspection determines the scope of eligible work.

05

Get two work estimates

You must obtain two quotes from contractors for the approved scope of work. Still at Home can provide one of these estimates — fully detailed and program-compliant.

06

Written approval — THEN begin work

The City issues a formal approval letter. Only after receiving this letter can renovation work begin. Any work done before approval is ineligible for funding, full stop.

07

Funds released to contractor

Upon completion and City inspection sign-off, funds are released directly to the contractor. You do not need to front the full cost — the program pays vendors on your behalf.

Three things that disqualify an application
  • ✗Starting work before written approval. No exceptions. Any pre-approval work is ineligible.
  • ✗Missing documentation. Incomplete applications are rejected and must be resubmitted — costing weeks.
  • ✗Applying late in the fiscal year. Funds are first-come, first-served and are often exhausted by summer.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I receive from Ontario Renovates in Ottawa?+
In Ottawa, the homeowner program offers up to $20,000 in combined financial assistance: a 10-year forgivable loan of up to $15,000 for essential home repairs and/or accessibility modifications, PLUS a grant of up to $5,000 specifically for accessibility modifications. The grant portion does not need to be repaid. The loan is forgiven if you stay in the home for 10 years.
What does 'forgivable loan' mean?+
A forgivable loan is technically a loan, but it does not need to be repaid as long as you continue to own and live in the home for the full 10-year forgiveness period. Each year you remain in the home, 10 percent of the loan is forgiven. If you sell the home before 10 years, you repay the remaining balance.
Who qualifies for Ontario Renovates in Ottawa?+
To qualify, you must own your home in Ottawa as your primary residence, be a low-to-moderate income household (income limits are set annually by the City of Ottawa), have limited liquid assets, and have property taxes, mortgage, and home insurance up to date. Seniors and persons with disabilities receive priority for accessibility modifications.
What renovations qualify?+
For the forgivable loan: essential health and safety repairs including roof, furnace, plumbing, electrical, structural issues, and accessibility modifications. For the grant portion: strictly accessibility modifications — walk-in showers, grab bars, ramps, stair lifts, doorway widening, and similar items that support independent living. Cosmetic renovations, landscaping, and non-essential upgrades do not qualify.
How do I apply for Ontario Renovates in Ottawa?+
Applications are submitted to the City of Ottawa's Housing Services department. You will need: proof of ownership, government-issued ID, most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment, proof of home insurance, confirmation of liquid assets, and two work estimates after a City of Ottawa home inspection. Contact the City of Ottawa at 613-580-2424 ext. 12300 for the current application package. Funding is first-come, first-served until annual funds are depleted.
How long does the Ontario Renovates application process take?+
From application submission to approval typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on application volume and inspection scheduling. Critically: you cannot begin work until you receive written approval from the City of Ottawa. Any work done before approval is ineligible for funding. Plan accordingly — contact us 3 to 4 months before you need the renovation completed.
Can I combine Ontario Renovates with other grants?+
Yes. The HATC and MHRTC explicitly permit receiving provincial and municipal assistance. You can receive the full $20,000 Ontario Renovates benefit AND still claim the HATC on your eligible expenses. You cannot stack Ontario Renovates with HVMP on the same specific item — but you can use different programs for different parts of a larger project.
Official sources

Administered by the City of Ottawa Housing Services, funded by the Province of Ontario.

Up to $20,000 in funding.
One application to get right.

We verify your eligibility, help you gather documentation, provide a compliant work estimate, and coordinate timing with the City of Ottawa inspection schedule.

Book a Free AssessmentCall 613.794.2040

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