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7 Government Grants That Every Ontario Homeowner Should Know About

We've all heard the story - a neighbour spends months planning their home renovations, and even then goes WAY over budget. These hapless homeowners are not alone - a survey in 2006 found that 38% of renovators exceeded their home improvement budget...by an average of 88%!

But overspending on renovations is not inevitable. In addition to planning ahead to save money on home improvements, there are many government grants and rebates that Ontario homeowners can use to avoid falling into "the money pit".

7 Government Grants & Rebates = $37,362 In Free Home Improvements

In this article we cover seven government grants and rebates that every Ontario homeowner should know about. Combined, these grants and rebates could put $37, 362 in your pocket (if you live in Ontario). Here's a quick snapshot of the grants, and the maximum amount they pay out:

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program ($24,000)

The RRAP (Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program) was set up by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to encourage homeowners to create "secondary suites" in their homes, and rent them out to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The $24,000 is a forgivable loan - as long as the program requirements are being met (i.e. you're renting to a low-income senior or person with a disability) you don't have to pay back the loan. And at the end of 15 years, you can rent to whoever you want.

GST/HST New Housing Rebate (1.5% of GST/HST)

Don't let the name of this one fool you - this is not just for new-home builders. The New Housing rebate is meant to defray part of the GST/HST paid on a new house OR substantially renovating an existing house. The catch with this one is that if you're renovating your house, it can't be worth more than $450,000 once the renovations are completed.

RST Exemption for EnergyStar Household Appliances (15% of retail price)

To encourage Ontario consumers to purchase products that are more energy efficient, the Province of Ontario is exempting EnergyStar appliances from the 15% retails sales tax until July 20, 2008.

Genworth Financial Energy-Efficient Housing Program or CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Refund (10% of mortgage insurance premium)

Canada's two main mortgage insurance outfits (Genworth Financial, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), will take 10% off your mortgage insurance premium if you buy an energy efficient home, or do energy-saving improvements to your current home.

Home Energy Audit Program ($150)

The Province of Ontario will refund 50% of the cost of a home energy audit, up to $150.

ecoENERGY Retrofit Grant ($5,000)

The federal government will give you rebates for doing energy-saving renovations to your home, up to a maximum of $5,000. The amount you get back depends on what kinds of home improvements you make. Examples of renovations that pay include installing an energy-efficient furnace, installing better insulation, and sealing drafts in your windows and doors.

Home Energy Retrofit Program ($5,000)

To give an extra incentive to Ontarians to do the home improvements recommended by the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program, the Province of Ontario will match the amount of rebates you get back through the ecoENERGY program.

Show Me the Green - 3 Steps to $37,362

Now that you know about these grants, what do you do next? Follow the steps below to quickly and easily claim your rebates:
  1. Find out how to apply for the seven grants and rebates
ShowMeTheGreen.ca has a brief description and simple steps to follow to apply for each of the grants and rebates mentioned in this article. Links to each rebate are provided in step 4 below (but read steps 2 and 3 first!)
  1. Save your favourites
When you're on the Description page for each grant and rebate, click on the little "Save to Favorites" button that's next to the rebate title. This will save a copy of the page for you to get later. When you're finished saving all of the rebates, click on "Save favorites". You'll be given the option to either print all of the rebates, or save them to your computer.
  1. Follow the steps
Each rebate includes the steps you need to take to submit your application to each rebate program. That's it! Pick and choose from this list of grants and rebates, or be ambitious and go for them all.

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25 Reviews for “7 Government Grants That Every Ontario Homeowner Should Know About”

  1. D. Green Says:
    January 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    We own a home in much need of repair from the roof to the foundation and everything in between. My husband and I both work and our combinded income keeps us in the low middle class area. Because we are raising 4 children we do not want to put ourselves in a financial possition of not being able to provide for our family. We do have a mortgage on our home which will be paid off in about 12 more years but in the meantime things need to be fixed. I am not speaking of cosmetics, I am refering to the basics. We have been able over the years to patch and make do but we are now beyond that point. Is there any program out there to assist families who are trying to make a go of it? The last time I checked we made a little under $300 too much in annual income to qualify for a low interest loan for home repair. We are not looking for a handout, just some help.

  2. brian and diane roy Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 9:31 am

    We own a home in need of a roof repair and fondation repair and we also need new windows and doors. My husband and i both ar not working, we ar on ei. We do have a mortgge on our home. This is not speaking of cosmetics but refering to the basics.The furnice is also in bad shape. Is there any program out there to assist families who are trying to make improvement to their cost of heating? and how do we aply for it.

  3. mila Says:
    February 25th, 2009 at 12:16 am

    Hello World

  4. Colleen Says:
    March 5th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    We have a paint product that has an energystar rating. It has water proofing capabilities as well as insulating. How do we get this information out to more people and how can we have this product envolved in a rebate program?

  5. Mark Says:
    March 5th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Hi Colleen -

    Thanks for your question. I would advise you to contact Natural Resources Canada, which is the government agency that handles Energy Star.

    Mark,
    Editor, ShowMeTheGreen.ca

  6. Jenn Says:
    March 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am

    We have a mold problem in our home. Are there any grants out there that will help us fix this problem. It is a health issue. We both work, but can’t really afford to repair it on our own.

  7. Paul Says:
    April 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 am

    We have a bungalow with a wash basin and a toilet downstairs and would like to put a shower stall in. Would we qualify for a rebate ?

  8. Bert Summerhayes Says:
    April 6th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    We are home owners in need for shingling and eavestroughs . We are both retired living on a very tight budget with very high taxes from increase reassesments over the years, making it difficult for us to afford the repairs.I am seventy one years of age,but capable of doing other internal repairs ,however not capable of the roofing myself.It has been two years of worry that water doesn’t leak into my home.I have worked hard and contributed much in my life time, and now I’m asking for some help.I have maintained my home to the best of my ability over the years ,but this is the most crutial.

  9. Christine Says:
    May 31st, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    We are a one income family and four children. We have a small farm and a house that is in need of a major overhaul we have a leaking field stone foundation, leaky roof, window and doors need to be replaced and it is desperate need of some electrical rewiring and insulation. We love our house and would like to add an energy efficient additon on one day. What grants are available for us. CJ

  10. Show Me The Green « miltonblog.ca and miltonblog.com Says:
    June 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 am

    [...] 7 Government Grants That Every Ontario Homeowner Should Know About [...]

  11. Penny Says:
    June 27th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    Hi, I am a single woman in her 40’s.I have purchased a 2 house rent to own ( own in may 2011). I have electric heat, that really kills me.(paying 500.00 monthly in winter) I would like to install a new furnace, window’s, doors, insulation, and siding, and possibly the foundation needs repair. Would like to make my house a more energy efficient and comfortable home, which I purchased it in memory of my dear father..Do I qualify for a grant and Which one do I qualify for…

    Thank

  12. Irene Vaughan Says:
    July 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    We are having a landscape contracor build a retaining wall and stairs on our home property. The cost is approximately $10,000. Is there a grant/rebate available for having this work done in 2009?
    Irene Vaughan

  13. Tammy L Says:
    July 8th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    I recently recieved a water test back , Bad news water is unfit do to septic waste,Is there any financial assistance for septic and Well repairs or replacements. I know this usually runs anywhere between 10 and 15.ooo. any information would be greatly appreciated. We have 2 children and only my husband is working at the moment which is making it very hard

  14. Richard Bouwhuis Says:
    August 26th, 2009 at 11:06 am

    We are home owners in desperate need of new shingles. I am retired living on a very tight budget. The roof should have been done a few years back and I’m worried that it will soon start to leak.

  15. moe wozniak Says:
    September 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    Having same problem. Any responses?

  16. Yumi Says:
    September 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    I bought a townhouse recently. 3 bedrooms are fully carpeted. I am allergy to any kinds of carpet,rug and so on. I want to install hardwood floor in these 3 bedrooms. Am I qualify to apply for government grant or rebate for this? How much I can claim?

  17. Stacey Says:
    October 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 am

    Hi
    My husband and I are struggling to bring some heat to the upstairs of our house. We have fully insulated the upstairs and have had an energy auditor come in, but now that we are in October I have noticed the bedrooms are still too cold. I am pregnant with a due date of this Sunday and am very concerned that our house will not be liveable for an infant this winter. Is there any grant program you could point us to that would help us make the repairs we need? We were told to add more heating ducts in the upstairs, but can’t afford to do this with my maternity benefits. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  18. Maria Bindert Says:
    October 29th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    We have recently had a flood in the basement from a careless act of my son, 13 years old, throwing something in the sump pump hole. Insurance company came in and found Mold. Unfortunately found mold older than the recent flooding would have caused, and we did not know about it. They immediately cancelled our house insurance and told us that they would not cover the costs to get rid of the mold in the house as the contract states their are no funds for mold remediation. Our roof needs to be redone, our water softener needs to be replaced and the glass in the front window fell down from the frame of the window and the whole window needs to be replaced! HELP! All these repairs total up to $40,000.00 plus. We do not have this kind of money to put into the house and are looking for some sort of grant and/or low % loan to take care of the repairs. I am a nurse who works fulltime but recently been told of our hospital ward closing. My husband hasnt worked in the last 6 years. We need any help we can get to pay for these repairs. Can you help us or steer us in the right direction to get help?
    Thank you for any help you can give us.
    Maria

  19. Maija Says:
    November 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve read the previous comments. Everything I’ve read has been a question or request… but there are no answers or responses. Am I missing the point to this page? I too have questions…

  20. V. Villeneuve Says:
    December 7th, 2009 at 4:23 pm

    Do we qualify for any grants or subsidies if the work was done recently on my mom’s home. She suffered a stroke in June 2009 and was hospitalized. She did not want to go to a home, so we had to modify a backroom to accommodate her needs. This room had to be completely retrofitted from top to bottom. Because she was going to be discharged fairly soon the renovations had to be done quickly. We required, a wheelchair ramp, railings, wood floors, new windows, insulated exterior, barrier free bathroom, carpet removed and replaced in other parts of house. Larger doorways, handles, new roof on the addition, etc. She lives with a caregiver, on a small pension but owns the house

  21. derek and joanne watson Says:
    May 12th, 2010 at 7:08 am

    my husband and i own our home with no morgage as of yet. we are in desprate need of a grant to upgrade our septic system as it is from the early 1970’s. We are afraid the weeping bed is close to seeping into our drinking water. If you could get back to us and maybe let us know how to apply for a goverment grant that would be great. My husband and my incomes combined are under 30,000 a year. We make enough to just keep the house running. But we survive.

    Thank you
    joanne and derek watson
    huntsville ontario

  22. margaret Parr Says:
    June 4th, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    I am a senior, widow on a low income. My roof needs reroofing. It is a semi and the next door neighbour and I agree that it really needs to be done this year. Is there any help for me towards this problem. Thanks for the advice.

  23. Violet Lowe Says:
    June 28th, 2010 at 10:33 am

    We are seniors on a fixed income and live in a well maintained 98 year old family home. We need to have old wiring changed before it affects our insurance. Is there any grants or other financial help that we could apply for in this respect. Thanks for your reply.

  24. Ann Lizotte Says: Says:
    July 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    I am 54 years old and disabled. I am looking for a grant to do renovations on house. I need to put a new roof on and do renovations inside my home. Please get back to me about this. Very important to get this done soon. Don’t know what to do.

  25. Linda Mills Says:
    July 14th, 2010 at 11:20 am

    my house is 60yrs old and has shavings for insulation and the siding is falling off. HELP!

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