How to stack grants: how the programs combine.
Many Ottawa families miss funding, not because they don’t qualify, but because they don’t know which programs can be combined, in what order, with what documentation. This guide lays out the strategy: the main programs, when each applies, and how to sequence them.
Each program has its own ceiling. The Home Accessibility Tax Credit is worth 14% of up to $20,000 in eligible expenses, a maximum of $2,800 (2026). Ontario Renovates, through the City of Ottawa, offers a forgivable loan of up to $15,000 plus a $5,000 grant to income-eligible households with a senior or person with a disability. HVMP provides up to $15,000 lifetime for a mobility-related disability. What you receive depends on which of these you qualify for.
Stacking is not a loophole. It is allowed, within each program’s rules. The rules are what this page explains.
The seven main programs
Each row links to the full program page. Review eligibility carefully: some are income-based, some are service-linked, and the timing rules matter as much as the dollar amounts.
| Program | Amount | Type | When to apply | Income test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HATC → | Up to $2,800 (2026) | Federal tax credit | After work (tax return) | No limit |
| MHRTC → | Up to $7,000 (2026) | Federal refundable credit | After work (tax return) | No limit |
| Ontario Renovates → | Up to $20,000 | Grant + forgivable loan | Apply BEFORE work | Gross income + home value limits |
| HVMP → | Up to $15,000 | Provincial grant | Apply BEFORE work | After-tax limits |
| ADP → | 75% of device cost | Provincial equipment funding | Apply BEFORE purchase | No test |
| VIP → | Up to $7,883.78/year | Federal veteran benefit | Apply BEFORE work | Service-linked |
| METC → | 14% + 5.05% above threshold | Federal tax credit | After work (tax return) | No limit |
What stacks and what doesn’t
- •HATC + any government grant. The HATC isn’t reduced by grants or forgivable loans, so it can apply to grant-funded costs.
- •HATC + MHRTC on the same project, for different expenses. Accessibility items under the HATC, suite construction under the MHRTC.
- •HATC + METC on the same project, for different expenses (from 2026, one credit per expense).
- •Ontario Renovates + HATC.
- •HVMP + Ontario Renovates on different items. HVMP pays after other available funding.
- •ADP + METC. Your 25% share of an ADP device may be a medical expense.
- •HVMP + ADP on the same item. ADP funds mobility equipment such as wheelchairs; HVMP funds home lifts, ramps and construction. Neither will pay for an item another program covers.
- •HATC + METC for a single expense (2026+).
- •MHRTC on costs a grant paid for. The MHRTC can’t be claimed on reimbursed costs.
- •HVMP + VAC + WSIB on the same item. You cannot receive funding from multiple sources for the identical expense.
- •Work done before approval. Ontario Renovates and HVMP both require written approval BEFORE construction; any pre-approval work is ineligible.
- •Two MHRTC renovations for one qualifying person. Only one renovation can be claimed per qualifying person in their lifetime, though the claim can be split between eligible people. Two separate qualifying people in one family can each have their own.
- •Non-itemized invoices. If your contractor provides one line for the whole project, tax credits become very difficult to claim separately. This is a documentation problem, not a legal one.
Three families, three stacking strategies
Illustrative examples at 2026 tax rates. Every figure depends on your own eligibility and the scope each program approves.
Senior in Nepean, bathroom renovation
Mary, age 74, lives alone on a fixed income (under $40,000). She needs a walk-in shower, grab bars, and a comfort-height toilet. Total project cost: $22,000. Her home’s assessed value is under $670,908.
The HATC reduces federal tax Mary owes. On a fixed income she may be able to use only part of it. The loan is forgiven if she owns and lives in the home for 10 years.
Mobility impairment in Kanata: multi-room accessibility project
Robert, age 58, has multiple sclerosis and is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit. His family is adding a stair lift, wider doorways and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom ($27,000), and Robert needs a power wheelchair ($8,000). Total: $35,000. He lives with his spouse; household after-tax income is under $54,000, so HVMP can fund in full. His spouse (net income $45,000) makes the tax claims.
Out-of-pocket costs go to the METC because it's worth more per dollar; grant-funded costs go to the HATC, which isn't reduced by grants. Each expense is used once. Assumes HVMP approval and enough tax payable; confirm with a tax professional.
Multigenerational home in Barrhaven, building a suite for mom
Jennifer, age 45, is building a basement suite for her 76-year-old mother: framing, electrical, a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and private entrance, plus a zero-threshold shower, grab bars and wider doorways. Total cost: $55,000. Her income is above the Ontario Renovates limits.
The MHRTC is refundable, so Jennifer receives it even if she owes no tax. The HATC portion applies if Jennifer is an eligible family member for her mother (see the HATC guide). The METC would only apply if her mother has a qualifying mobility impairment, on expenses not used for the other two credits.
For most families, grants and forgivable loans can reach up to $35,000, plus tax credits.
The 5-step stacking strategy
Order matters. Apply in this sequence to make the most of combined funding and keep every program available to you.
Assess eligibility for income-based provincial programs first
Ontario Renovates and HVMP require approval BEFORE work begins. Check eligibility and start these applications first. HVMP expects other available funding first. If you qualify, this unlocks the largest grant dollars and sets your overall project timeline.
Specify ADP equipment during design
If the project includes a power wheelchair or scooter, get the OT or PT assessment and choose an ADP-registered vendor early. Stair lifts, ceiling lifts and ramps go through HVMP.
If applicable: initiate VIP application for veterans
If the qualifying individual is a veteran, open the VIP application concurrently with provincial applications. VIP requires VAC case manager review and has its own approval cycle. Coordinate with provincial programs to avoid duplicate funding for the same item.
Complete work with itemized invoicing
Once all pre-approvals are in place, renovation proceeds. Every invoice should separate accessibility-specific work (HATC/METC-eligible, one credit per expense) from general construction (MHRTC-eligible if suite, not eligible otherwise). Still at Home invoices in this format as standard practice.
Claim all applicable federal tax credits on your return
At tax time, claim HATC on line 31285, MHRTC on line 45355, and METC on lines 33099/33199. Each expense goes to one credit. Grants don't reduce the HATC. Most tax software handles this, but provide your accountant with the itemized invoice summary we prepare.
Five common stacking mistakes
Frequently asked questions
Is grant stacking actually legal?+
How much can a family actually stack in Ottawa?+
What's the biggest stacking mistake families make?+
Do I apply for all programs at once?+
What if my income is too high for Ontario Renovates and HVMP?+
Can grant stacking affect my taxes for other things?+
How does Still at Home help with stacking specifically?+
This page is educational. Eligibility for any specific program depends on your individual circumstances. Tax credit figures are estimates and should be confirmed with a qualified accountant before filing. Grant program rules change, so always verify current eligibility with the administering body. Still at Home will identify the programs you may qualify for during your free Home Safety Assessment and verify current rules at that time.
Every program on this page pays for real changes to a home. Still at Home handles grab bar installation, accessible bathroom renovations, wheelchair ramps, door widening and other accessible renovations in Ottawa, and a free Home Safety Assessment reviews the programs you may qualify for before any work starts.
Seven main programs. Three levels of government.
One team guides you through every piece.
During your free Home Safety Assessment, we identify every program you may qualify for, map out the application sequence, and prepare the documentation your applications need. You tell us the situation once. We navigate the rest.
Last verified: September 2026 · Tax figures are for the 2026 tax year · Always confirm with the program and your tax professional.