Affordable Housing Renovation Program
QC, Canada
Affordable housing renovation subsidy for building owners
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- grant_single|projectCostPercent
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Real estate and rental and leasing
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- City of Montreal (MTL)
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grant_card_status|open
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The Affordable Housing Renovation Program offers subsidies up to $575,000 per building to owners of properties with six or more dwelling units, primarily to extend the building's usable life, enhance tenants' quality of life, and encourage ecological transition. Eligible activities include renovations to the building's HVAC systems, structure, roofing, and more, with the possibility of enhanced subsidies for very affordable rents.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant encourages renovation work that improves the longevity and ecological sustainability of multi-dwelling buildings, enhancing living conditions for tenants. It covers a wide range of building components that are deemed eligible following an inspection by the city.
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades.
- Interior construction improvements.
- Electrical system updates.
- Exterior cladding and building envelope renovations.
- Interior finishes such as floors, walls, and ceilings.
- Foundation and crawl space work.
- Built-in and accessory furnishings enhancements (e.g., counters, cabinets).
- Upgrades to doors, windows, and other openings.
- Plumbing system renovations.
- Exterior projections like balconies and staircases improvements.
- Structural work on the building's framework.
- Roof repairs or replacements.
- Replacement of oil-fired boilers, central furnaces, or water heaters.
- Lead water-service entry replacements.
- Sewer back-up protection installations.
- Enhancements for thermal insulation.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the building's characteristics and condition.
- The building must contain six dwelling units or more, and five storeys or fewer, and must have been built more than 20 years ago.
- At least one third of the dwelling units must be leased at affordable rents.
- At least half of the units must be occupied.
- The building, if it is a cooperative or a non-profit, may exceed five storeys and must not be receiving ongoing operating financial support under a social housing program, aside from a rent supplement program.
- For non-profits offering temporary housing for people in need of support or protection, the eligibility criterion is the condition of the building.
- Rooming houses must include four or more rooms, irrespective of the number of storeys.
- After initial application review, the building must score between 3 or 4 in the city's inspection process to qualify for the program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
To apply for the Affordable Housing Renovation Program, you must own a building with at least six dwelling units. Eligibility is conditional upon having at least one third of these units leased at affordable rents, a minimum 50% occupancy rate, and the building must be over 20 years old, with a maximum of five storeys, unless it is a cooperative, nonprofit, or rooming house. Exceptions apply for specific housing types such as cooperatives, housing nonprofits, and rooming houses.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses related to eligible renovation components of the building.
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
- Interior construction and modifications.
- Electrical systems.
- Building envelope, including exterior cladding.
- Interior finishes such as floors, walls, and ceilings.
- Foundation and crawl space improvements.
- Built-in and accessory furnishings like counters and cabinets.
- Doors and windows (openings).
- Plumbing work.
- Exterior projections, including balconies and staircases.
- Structural repairs.
- Roofing updates.
- Mandatory replacement of an oil-fired boiler, furnace, or water heater, if applicable.
- Replacement of water-service entry made of lead.
- Specific work for sewer backup protection.
- Improvement of thermal insulation.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria, primarily focusing on the physical condition of the building as assessed by city inspectors.
- Condition of the building: assigned a score from 1 (excellent condition) to 6 (very poor condition), where projects scoring 3 or 4 are prioritized for eligibility.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for the Affordable Housing Renovation Program subsidy:
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Ensure that your building meets the initial eligibility criteria related to affordability, occupancy, size, and age.
- Review the specific conditions for cooperatives, non-profits, and rooming houses if applicable.
- Step 2: Submit Initial Application
- Access and fill out the online application form provided by the city.
- Prepare and complete any necessary supplementary forms as specified.
- Submit the application form along with required documents explaining the affordability of the units.
- Step 3: Pay Application Review Fees
- Calculate the application review fees based on the number of dwelling units in your building.
- Send the fee payment by regular mail, as indicated, using a cheque.
- Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
- If eligible, you will receive a letter of confirmation from the city regarding your application status.
- Step 5: Schedule Building Inspection
- Once your application is deemed eligible, cooperate with the city to schedule an inspection of your building.
- Ensure your building gets a score between 3 and 4 to qualify for the subsidy.
- Step 6: Await Approval
- Do not begin any renovation work until you have received written confirmation of approval for the subsidy.
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Multi-Unit Building with Financial Support
The Affordable Housing Renovation Program provides subsidies to owners of older multi-unit buildings for renovations that promote sustainability, extend the life of their buildings, and improve tenants' living conditions. This initiative supports the ecological transition and helps maintain affordable housing in various municipalities.
Detailed Insights into the Affordable Housing Renovation Program
The Affordable Housing Renovation Program is a strategic approach focusing on maintaining and improving multi-unit residential buildings, especially those built over two decades ago, ensuring they continue to provide affordable accommodations. By offering financial incentives, the program strives to preserve the architectural integrity and usability of these older buildings while promoting environmentally-friendly practices. This initiative is integral for urban communities aiming to maintain affordable living options and sustainable urban development.
One of the primary focuses of the program is the ecological transition. The program encourages building owners to replace outdated elements with more energy-efficient alternatives. This transition not only reduces the carbon footprint but also lowers costs associated with utilities over time, making it a win-win situation for both owners and tenants. By helping building owners transition to greener technologies, the program assists in meeting broader environmental goals set by municipalities and provincial governments in Canada.
Financial assistance through the program is extensive, covering various aspects of a building's infrastructure. From essential systems such as heating, air conditioning, and plumbing, to aesthetic improvements like interior finishes and openings, the program ensures that comprehensive renovations are possible. In particular, the replacement of high-energy consumption items, such as oil-fired boilers, is mandatory under the program, thus pushing towards sustainable energy solutions.
Moreover, the program is designed to be inclusive, covering buildings with different characteristics, including cooperatives and housing non-profits, provided they meet certain criteria regarding the building's condition. This inclusivity ensures that diverse housing types and structures have access to necessary funding, reducing the risk of exclusion due to financial limitations.
To ease the financial burden on building owners, the program subsidizes a significant portion of professional service fees. This subsidy can cover costs related to architects and engineers who are essential to the planning and successful execution of the renovation projects. By covering up to 50% of these fees, the program ensures that quality and compliance are maintained without imposing excessive financial pressure on the owners.
It’s imperative for applicants to understand the program’s commitments and obligations. Tenants must be kept informed and disturbances minimized during renovations. Additionally, owners must comply with all prescribed rules, such as providing truthful documentation and maintaining affordable rents, to ensure ongoing eligibility for the program.
Ultimately, the Affordable Housing Renovation Program is more than just a financial support mechanism; it's a strategic tool enabling urban renewal and sustainability. By assisting in the rejuvenation of older buildings, the program supports the broader objectives of affordability, sustainability, and community development. It is an excellent resource for building owners looking to improve their properties while contributing positively to the community's ecological footprint.
