Toronto HELP

Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), City of Toronto homeowners can borrow up to $125,000 to cover the cost of home energy improvements.  Homeowners who have been approved to participate in the City’s Home Energy Loan Program may also apply to receive additional incentives for solar PV, air source heat pumps and deep home retrofits that improve the EnerGuide rating of the home.

Important Program Notes

• Fixed low-interest rates and repayment terms of up to 20 years.
• Repay the loan via installments on your property tax bill. You can pay off the loan at any time without penalty.
• The loan will be attached to your property, not to you, the property owner. This means that if you sell your home before the loan is repaid, the new owner will assume the loan balance.

Eligibility

• The HELP program is available to eligible all eligible homeowners in Toronto:
• Single and semi-detached houses
• Row housing and townhomes
• Located in the City of Toronto (the property’s postal code must start with an “M”)
• 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

Process

ecostep recommends the following path for our City of Toronto customers:

1. Complete the application form available on the City of Toronto website and submit via email at homeenergyloan@toronto.ca. Once the city receives and approves your application, they will send you a funding offer that states the maximum amount that your property is eligible to receive through the HELP. If your home is subject to a mortgage, the city 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.
2. Contact ecostep to discuss your project and schedule a home energy assessment.
3. Submit your funding request to the City of Toronto. Determine which improvements you wish to make and get quotes from the contractor(s) of your choice, based on your goals, budget and recommendations by ecostep.
4. Once the city has approved your Funding Request, the city will send you a Property Owner Agreement (POA). Once the POA is approved, the city can provide up to 30 per cent of the funds to help you get your project underway.
5. Contact ecostep to schedule and complete your post-project energy assessment.
6. Complete your home improvements and submit a project completion report
7. 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.