Get Expert Guidance from Green Canada Energy Advisors for the Ottawa Better Homes– Loan Program
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program (BHOLP) offers homeowners in the City of Ottawa the opportunity to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through home energy efficiency retrofits. Green Canada Energy Advisors is here to support and guide local residence of Ottawa throughout the BHOLP process, helping you make informed decisions and maximize the benefits of this program.
This program offers low-interest, 20-year loans of up to $125,000 (or 10 percent of the current value assessment of the home, whichever is less) to cover the cost of home energy improvements. Eligible measures include thermal envelope upgrades, mechanical systems, renewable energy, EV chargers (Level 2), and the addition of rental suites (up to a maximum of 30% of the value of the loan).
With low-interest, 20-year loans that are tied to the property, not the individual, the Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program makes it easier and more affordable for homeowners to pay for these home improvements over time. The minimum loan amount which will be issued to an applicant is $10,000.
The BHOLP was launched in November 2021 with a total of $8 million in zero-interest loans and $4 million in low-interest loans (3.25% interest) – these funds are being disbursed to the first round of applicants. On June 30, 2022, the City of Ottawa recapitalized the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program by securing a $15 million loan agreement with VanCity Community Investment Bank. This will allow an estimated 500 residents of Ottawa to access fixed rate (4.33% interest), 20-year loans from the city to undertake energy efficiency retrofits and other home improvements.
20 Years
4.33% (Fixed over 20-year Term.)
$10,000
10% of tax-assessed property value or $125,000 (whichever is less)
4% of total loan value
The program is entirely voluntary and can be initiated by the property owner(s) themselves. To be eligible, certain requirements must be met, including:
If your household meets any one of the following requirements, you may be eligible for a 0% interest, 20-years loan with a 20-years payback period through the Ottawa Better Homes – Loan Program. Income-qualified applicants will also have their administrative fee waived and have the option of working with a retrofit project manager.
Number of people in the home | Before-tax household income |
|---|---|
1 | $42,437
|
2 | $60,014 |
3 | $73,501
|
4 | $84,872
|
5 | $94,890
|
6 | $103,947
|
7+ | $112,275
|
The City of Ottawa is directly supporting the installation of high-quality heat pumps as a key technology in the journey towards a zero-emission future. As part of the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program, homeowners can benefit from the Better Homes Ottawa Heat Pump Incentive, which helps reduce the initial cost of installing heat pumps.
Take a look at the eligibility criteria for the equipment and the current incentive amounts available below.
coldClimate Air Source Heat Pumps
To be eligible for the incentive, your heat pump must meet the following criteria:
A full list of eligible products can be found here.
Here are the incentive amounts based on the type of heat pump:
To be eligible for the incentive, ground source heat pumps must meet the following criteria
A full list of eligible products can be found here.
The incentive amounts for ground source heat pumps are as follows:
For more information, contact info@greencanadahome.com
1 Complete a pre-retrofit EnerGuide assessment This assessment provides an NRCan EnerGuide rating for the home and recommends customized improvements.
2 Complete the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program Application Form.
3 Receive your Notice to Proceed If the homeowner’s BHOLP Application Form meets all program requirements, a Notice to Proceed is issued, outlining the maximum loan value and program terms.
4 Collect your quotes.
5 Submit your Funding Request Form. At this stage, homeowners can request 50% of the funds upfront to cover deposits. The property owner agreement is signed, and the processing time is typically 3-5 weeks.
6 Retrofit your Home!
7 Complete a post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment. After the retrofit projects are completed, a post-retrofit EnerGuide assessment is conducted.
8 Submit your Project Completion Report.
9 Receive your Final Disbursement. The City of Ottawa provides the balance of the loan to the homeowner, which can be used to pay contractors. This disbursement usually takes around 4 weeks.
Repayment. The homeowner repays the loan over the 20-year term through their property tax bill. They also have the option to pay off the loan in a one-time lump sum without any penalty.
The Ottawa Better Homes – Loan Program includes a range of eligible measures that can help homeowners improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes. These measures, subject to permits, regulations, and Energy Star certification, may include:
Note: costs for “other” items combined must not exceed 30% of the total loan value.
Choose Green Canada Energy Advisors for expert guidance and support throughout your Ottawa Better Homes – Loan Program application. Start your energy-efficient home upgrade today with the help of our experienced team.
Eligibility requirements for the Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program are as follows:
Please note that the minimum loan amount which will be issued to an applicant is $10,000.
No. Any upgrades completed before receiving your Notice to Proceed will not be eligible to receive funding. Eligible costs are those that are incurred after the Notice to Proceed is issued.
Yes, provided that you stay under the lower of 10% of the property value cap or $125,000. The minimum loan amount will be $5000 for your second application.
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program had limited funding to provide zerointerest loans to applicants. This funding has been spoken for. The program is now able to provide 4.33% interest, 20-year loans. At a fixed rate over 20 years, this loan still offers the opportunity for applicants to save money through energy savings while improving the comfort of their properties.
PROGRAM TIMELINES & DOCUMENTATION
It will take approximately two weeks. Once you submit your application form, the City of Ottawa will review your property tax and utility accounts to ensure you are in good standing. If you are a new homeowner with less than 5 years of payment history, they will request a Credit Score. A minimum Credit Score of 600 will be required to receive program approval.
Your Property Owner Agreement will have to be executed by the City of Ottawa before the City’s finance department begins processing your initial disbursement. The total processing time is 7 to 8 weeks before your initial disbursement is mailed out by the city.
It will be 4 weeks before the City of Ottawa mails out your final disbursement.
RECEIVING & PAYING BACK YOUR LOAN
The cost of borrowing indicates the value of the interest that will be paid over the lifetime of the loan. This is included in the maximum eligible Local Improvement Charge (LIC), which cannot exceed 10% of property value, to ensure that applicants are taking on manageable loans, inclusive of interest payments.
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan can be paid back over a twenty-year period, or you can pay it back as quickly as you choose by making a one-time lump sum payment.
Yes, there is an administrative fee equal to 4% of the total loan value. This is added to your total loan repayment and paid back through the LIC over the 20-year loan period.
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