Housing programs and services

Financial assistance available:

• a one-time forgivable loan up to $15,000 for home repairs
• a one-time grant up to $5,000 for home accessibility modifications

Eligibility criteria:

• Seniors aged 60 or older and/or persons with disabilities
• Annual gross household income at or below $95,000 (based on the previous year Notice of Assessment line 15000)

Property Eligibility:

• Located within the city of London or Middlesex County
• Property tax value at or below $320,000 (not fair market value) 
• Property with taxes paid up to date.

Requirements for Homeowners:

Eligible Home Repairs:

• heating system
• chimneys
• doors and windows
• foundations
• roofs
• walls
• floors
• vents/louvers
• electrical systems
• plumbing
• septic system

Eligible Home Accessibility Modifications:

• ramps
• fire alarms
• chair and bath lifts
• handrails
• grab bars
• raised toilets
• levered handles 
• accessible shower stalls
• personal emergency response system
• height adjustment to countertops

Please note: Additional supporting documentation (i.e. Medical form) may be requested for assessment of accessibility modification eligibility 

Financial assistance available:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Senior’s age 60 or older and/or persons with disabilities

• The total household assets of household members 18 years and older at or below $30,000 (includes TFSAs, GICs, bonds, mutual funds, savings accounts.)

Property Eligibility:

Requirements for the Tenant(s):

• Completed and signed Ontario Renovates application form with all supporting documentation

Requirements for Landlords:

The rental unit must be modest and the rent not to exceed the Average Market Rent (AMR) in the city of London and Middlesex County as per below:

• Bachelor $863/month
• One Bedroom $1,127/month
• Two Bedroom $1,400/month
• Three Bedroom $1,617/month

• ramps
• fire alarms
• chair and bath lifts
• handrails
• grab bars
• raised toilets
• levered handles on doors and faucets
• accessible shower stalls
• personal emergency response system
• height adjustment to countertops

Please note: Additional supporting documentation (i.e., Medical form) may be requested to assess accessibility modification eligibility, at the discretion of the City of London.

If you have any questions about the Ontario Renovates Program, you can contact Municipal Housing at: 519-661-CITY (2489) ext. 5523 or housing@london.ca. 

Note: Any work completed prior to the approval of the Ontario Renovates Program will not be considered and approved for funding. 

Q:  What types of spends are considered Capital versus Operating?

A:  Capital expenses are list investments into the future. Examples of capital expenses might include the purchase of new equipment, or repairs and maintenance that extend the useful life of an asset.  Operating expenses are the day-to-day spends required to keep the business running. Examples of operating expenses include recurring annual repair costs, small maintenance jobs, routine landscaping etc.

Q:  Why do I need to submit a 3-year capital plan if only the first year is being evaluated for funding?

A:  A 3-year capital plan offers a more practical approach to capital planning such that you may find that trying to fit everything into year one may not be feasible and thus some items would be delayed to later years. A 3-year plan also allows the Housing Division to better understand the important and relative priority of each investment that is being considered.

Q:  How many quotes do I need to get for each project?

A:  For projects expected to cost more than $15,000, we recommend getting three quotes for each project. This allows for competitive pricing and service. If you cannot obtain three quotes, please document your rationale for note being able to obtain three quotes.  Quotes should be obtained from reputable and qualified contractors. Ask your colleagues for referrals and/or research the contractor's reviews. Quotes from reputable contractors should be detailed and contain an HST number.

Q:  Do I need to get quotes for all three years?

A:  Quotes are expected for all year one investments. Quotes are not expected for years two and three, but it is recommended that you use the best estimate available. For example, you might reference previous quotes or estimates in the Building Condition Assessment (BCA) report.

Q:  Which contractor's quote should I use for the year one of capital planning spreadsheet?

A:  You are not obligated to select the lowest quote, but you should justify why you've chosen a particular contractor (i.e. value for money, time to complete, etc.)

Q:  What should be provided to the contractor when asking for a quote?

A:  This will depend on the complexity of the project. At minimum, we suggest that following information be provided:

•  Project specifications such as details around what needs to be completed, minimum level of quality or specific products to be provided, what needs to be inspected and what existing fixtures need to be protected.
• Timeline for when you would like the project started.

Q:  What should I look for in a completed quote from a contractor?

A:  The level of information provided through quotes may vary by contractor, but the following items are important:

• A detailed description of the scope of work;
• Project start date and estimated completion date;
• Warranties re: workmanship and products;
• Registered HST number;
• Confirmation that the contractor has provided cost based on specifications or clarity on comparable alternatives and 
• Proposed payments terms.

Q:  What if I have previously submitted a multi-year plan, do I need to resubmit the year two and three asks?

A:  On applications where project submissions for year two and three have been approved, a re-submission of application in those funding years in not required. However, updated and valid quotes and possible financials will need to be provided before final consideration of during can be approved in those years.

Q:  Can Engineering or Project Management costs be included for consideration on funding application?

A:  For larger scope projects, Engineering and/or Project Management costs can be included in application for funding, however; the housing provider must take into consideration the timeline implications and project(s) completion deadline.

Q:  How do I know if I should hire a project manager?

A:  Project managers generally have some specialized expertise and are responsible for planning/overseeing projects to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion and within budget. For larger scope projects where a housing provider may require specific industry knowledge or where they feel the property manager will be ill-equipped to manage the added tasks associated with project oversight, it may be warranted to seek project management services. The City of London housing division will be reviewing the letters of intent and may suggest inclusion of project management services if not already identified.