Ontario Renovates Program
The 2025 Ontario Renovates program has closed.
Please check back in the spring for the 2026 application package.
This initiative provides crucial financial assistance to low to moderate-income households, focusing on seniors aged 60 or older and individuals with disabilities.
Administered by the City of London Municipal Housing, the program extends support to homeowners and landlord/tenant rental units in the City of London and Middlesex County
Limited funding - Apply Early!
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. We encourage you to apply early to secure your chance for financial assistance.
Ontario Renovates Program
This program is made possible through funding by the Federal and Provincial governments and offers financial assistance to low to moderate-income households for seniors 60 years or older and persons with disabilities. This program is administered by the City of London, Municipal Housing, and provides limited funding to homeowner(s) and landlord/tenant rental units.
If you have any questions, please email the team at @email.
Note: Any work completed prior to the approval of the Ontario Renovates Program will not be considered and approved for funding.
Program Information for Homeowner Applications
Financial assistance available:
- a one-time 10-year loan up to $25,000 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)
- Total household assets at or below $30,000 (including TFSAs, GICs, bonds, mutual funds, savings accounts).
Property Eligibility:
- This property must be the sole and principal residence located within London or Middlesex County.
- Property tax assessment value at or below $320,000 (not fair market value/resale value).
- Mortgage payments and property taxes must be up to date.
- Insurance coverage is in place for the full value of the home.
Requirements for Homeowners:
- Completed and signed Ontario Renovates Program application forms with supporting documentation.
- Government-issued photo identification (i.e., driver’s license, passport, citizenship, or Ontario photo card) for all homeowner(s).
- 2024 Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assesment.
- Property Tax Assesment verifying tax value and up-to-date payments.
- Confirmation of mortgage and insurance coverage.
- List of liquid assets for household members 18 and over.
- Three (3) estimates for proposed repairs/modifications.
- Pictures showing proposed repairs/modifications.
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.
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
If you have questions about the program, please email the team at @email or call 519-661-2489 x 7831.
Homelessness Facts
Homelessness is only an urban problem.
Homelessness exists in rural communities across Canada. It just looks different. While people may be living on the streets, community members may also be couch surfing, sleeping in abandoned buildings, living in vehicles or homes without heat and electricity, or staying in motels and shelters. It is important to consider the entire spectrum of homelessness, as everyone’s journeys and experiences are different.
Rural communities don’t have homelessness because everyone knows everyone.
Because of the hidden nature of homelessness, you may not be aware of community members who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. In smaller communities, stigma and anonymity often can prevent community members from reaching out.
There are plenty of affordable housing options in rural areas.
There are few and limited affordable housing options in rural communities. In rural communities, rental housing is often limited, and at times is in poor condition or too expensive for people to afford.
If you’re homeless in a rural area, you can just go live off the land.
No one chooses to be homeless. In Canada’s harsh climate, many people experiencing homelessness suffer from frostbite, physical health challenges and tragically, some lose their lives.
Rural homelessness isn’t as serious or urgent.
Rural communities are facing increasing pressures with limited services. As urban systems become overwhelmed, more rural communities across Canada are taking action to provide prevention programs, housing supports, and develop emergency accommodations and supportive housing, often without sufficient funding or support.
Rural homelessness statistics are low, so it’s not a big issue.
Rural homelessness is significantly underreported due to data gaps. However, research is emerging that shows that rural homelessness is occurring at per capita rates that are equal to or greater than some of Canada’s largest urban centres (Schiff et al., 2023).
Rural homelessness is mostly caused by addiction or mental illness.
While addiction and mental illness may lead to some people experiencing homelessness, people often develop these challenges as a result of the trauma and instability caused by homelessness. Homelessness is driven by a number of complex factors including poverty, the loss of employment, domestic violence or systemic barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized groups.