You may qualify for a low-interest loan through HELP if:

• You own a detached, semi-detached, or row house in the City of Toronto.
• All of the property owners on title consent to participate in the program.
• No late property tax and utility payments to the City in the past five years.
• You obtain written consent from your mortgage lender if applicable*.

*If your property is subject to a mortgage, we will send you a customized Lender Consent Form.

You may combine HELP with energy efficiency rebates and incentives from the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario, Government of Canada and utility companies.

Step 1: Complete an Application Form

Completed application forms should be submitted via email at homeenergyloan@toronto.ca or by mail:

Program Manager, Home Energy Loan Program
City of Toronto
Environment & Climate Division
55 John Street, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6

Once the City receives and approves your application, we will send you a funding offer that states the maximum amount that your property is eligible to receive through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). If your home is subject to a mortgage, we will provide a letter and form for you to give to your mortgage lender. Your mortgage lender’s consent is required before the City can send you a funding offer.

Step 2: Home Energy Assessment and Funding Request

a. Book a home energy assessment with an Energy Advisor registered by Natural Resources Canada

The assessment will include a basement-to-attic assessment of your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and detect any air leaks or drafts.

When the assessment is complete, you will receive:

• a Renovation Upgrade Report with recommendations for specific improvements
• an EnerGuide¹ rating based on your home’s current energy performance
• information on available incentives and rebates

b. Submit your funding request

Determine which improvements you wish to make and get quotes from the contractor(s) of your choice, based on your goals, budget and recommendations of the Energy Advisor. Make sure you see which rebates and incentives are currently available from Enbridge Gas, Canada Greener Homes Grant and other service providers.

Your funding request will include:

• a list of the improvements you intend to undertake.
• details and cost estimates based on contractor quote(s).
• the estimated incentive and rebate amounts available to you from the utility companies.

Step 3: Property Owner Agreement

Once the City has approved your Funding Request, we will send you a Property Owner Agreement (POA), which is the funding agreement between the property owner(s) and the City.

You must sign the POA and return to the City. Once the POA is approved by the City, we can provide, if requested, up to 30 per cent of the funds to help you get your project underway.

Step 4: Complete Your Improvements and Submit Your Project Completion Report

Homeowners assume full responsibility for the work performed, which includes selecting, hiring and paying contractors, and obtaining all required municipal and/or provincial permits, if applicable.

When your project is complete, book your post-retrofit home energy assessment with your Energy Advisor. The Advisor will verify the improvements and provide a new EnerGuide rating for your home.

Submit a Project Completion Report signed by your Energy Advisor, along with your contractor’s invoices and your new EnerGuide rating label. The City will then provide you with the remaining funds for your project.

Step 5: Repay the Loan Over Time Via your property tax bill

Once your project is complete, the City will notify you when your loan payments will begin. You will be enrolled in the City’s Pre-Authorized Tax Payment program and repay the City via 11 monthly instalments per year over the term of your loan. Loan payments made via the property tax bill are treated in the same manner, and subject to the same penalties, remedies and lien priorities.

At any time during the term of the loan, you may pay the outstanding balance, without penalty, to clear the loan from your property.

The following rates and terms are valid until December 31, 2022:

• An administrative charge of two per cent (2%), which reflects the City’s cost of administering the program, will be added.
• The value of the loan, which will include the funding amount, interest, and an administrative charge, cannot exceed 10 per cent of the current value assessment (CVA) for your property, or $125,000, whichever is less.
• Interest rates are fixed and will not fluctuate over the term.
• Homeowners will repay the loan via their property tax bill and can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.

This chart estimates the monthly payments based on specific funding amounts.

** 20-year amortization is only available for projects that include solar PV, geothermal installation, new windows and/or heat pumps.