Open
High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS)
Financing for energy-efficient retrofits in older Toronto apartment buildings
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,500,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) offers up to $2.5 million per building in low-cost financing to owners of pre-1990 residential apartment buildings in Toronto to improve energy and water efficiency. Eligible activities include building envelope upgrades, mechanical system improvements, water fixture replacements, renewable energy installations, and lighting system enhancements.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Real estate and rental and leasing
Location
- Toronto
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Retrofit projects to improve energy and water efficiency in residential apartment buildings.
- Upgrades to building envelope and mechanical systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Implementation of renewable energy solutions within existing high-rise buildings.
- Modernization of lighting and water fixtures to enhance building sustainability and tenant comfort.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Owners of residential rental apartment buildings built before 1990 with three or more storeys in the City of Toronto
Who is not eligible
- Owners of properties that are not residential rental apartment buildings built before 1990 with three or more storeys in the City of Toronto.
- Property owners who are not in good standing with property taxes, utility bills, or other payments owed to the City over the past five years.
Eligible expenses
- Replacement of windows and balcony doors
- Caulking of windows and doors
- Installation of exterior wall cladding
- Solar air heating systems
- Insulated roofing
- Upgrades to mechanical systems such as boilers, booster pumps, building automation systems, make-up air units, garage exhaust fan and CO controls, heat/energy recovery ventilators, heat pumps, and cooling system upgrades
- Installation of low flow or ultra-low flow toilets
- Installation of renewable energy systems (e.g., solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling)
- LED lighting systems and controls
- Other measures providing energy efficiency or water conservation benefits, as identified in an eligible energy assessment report
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Toronto
Selection criteria
- Submission of an energy assessment report (ASHRAE level 2 or higher) clearly identifying the proposed improvements.
- Submission of signed bids or estimates for the planned work, from qualified contractors.
- Verification of the compliance of the submitted documents, including the application form and the project completion report.
- Adherence to the procedure for validating costs and the eligibility of expenses by the City before the final disbursement.
How to apply
1
Confirm eligibility requirements
- Review eligibility criteria for the building
- Confirm property is a residential rental apartment built before 1990 with three or more storeys in Toronto
- Ensure all owner(s) consent to participate
- Check that all required payments to the City are in good standing for the past five years
2
Complete energy assessment
- Obtain an ASHRAE Level 2 or above energy assessment report
- Identify all qualifying improvements in the report
- Choose preferred energy auditors and contractors if desired
3
Submit application and documents
- Fill out and submit the program application forms
- Provide the required energy assessment report with your application
- Ensure all documentation is accurate and complete
4
Receive Notice to Proceed
- Wait for the City to review your application and documents
- The City will issue a Notice to Proceed if eligibility is confirmed
- The maximum allowable funding amount and term options are provided in the notice
5
Sign agreement and complete work
- Enter into a funding agreement with the City
- Undertake the approved building improvements
- Comply with all program terms and conditions
6
Repay financing as agreed
- Pay the special charge via property tax bill over the agreed term
- Option to make an early one-time pay-out if desired
- Payments are made by pre-authorized withdrawals
Additional information
- The payment obligation for the special charge attaches to the property, not the owner, and transfers to new owners if the property is sold.
- Property owners must not apply for rent increases above the guideline in connection with improvements funded by the program.
- Participation in the program requires enrollment in the City’s pre-authorized payment plan, with automatic withdrawals occurring 11 times per year.
- Final funding disbursement occurs only after submission and City approval of a Project Completion Report.
Frequently Asked Questions about the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) Program
What is the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS)?
The High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) offers up to $2.5 million per building in low-cost financing to owners of pre-1990 residential apartment buildings in Toronto to improve energy and water efficiency. Eligible activities include building envelope upgrades, mechanical system improvements, water fixture replacements, renewable energy installations, and lighting system enhancements.
How much funding can be received?
High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) Funds up to $2,500,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) program?
To be eligible for the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) program, you must:
Residential rental apartment building owner in Toronto
Building constructed before 1990 with three or more storeys
All registered owners must consent to participation
What expenses are eligible under High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS)?
Retrofit projects to improve energy and water efficiency in residential apartment buildings.
Upgrades to building envelope and mechanical systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation of renewable energy solutions within existing high-rise buildings.
Modernization of lighting and water fixtures to enhance building sustainability and tenant comfort.
Where is the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) available?
The High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS)?
High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) is funded by City of Toronto