Thompson/ Okanagan

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) - Conversion (On Reserve)

This program provides assistance to convert non-residential properties into affordable self-contained rental housing units or bed-units.

Sponsoring agency: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Type of agency: Federal government

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this program you must own and be converting non-residential properties to create affordable rental accommodation for low-income households. These clients include:
  • private entrepreneurs
  • In order to be eligible for this program you must own and be converting non-residential properties to create affordable rental accommodation for low-income households. These clients include:
  • private entrepreneurs
  • non-profit corporations
  • Aboriginal Peoples
Eligible properties must be:
  • environmentally safe
  • feasibly converted to residential accommodation
  • viable based on agreed post-conversion rents The assistance is a fully forgivable loan, which does not have to be repaid provided the owner meets certain conditions. The maximum loan available varies with the type of units being created, and area of the country, as follows:
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Application procedure

For information on how to apply please contact the British Columbia CMHC Office:
Line Gullison, Manager
BC Aboriginal Housing Centre

1111 West Georgia, Suite 200, 2nd floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 4S4
Phone number: 604-737-4035
Fax number: 604-737-4125
Email: lgulliso@cmhc-schl.gc.ca


Contact information

Telephone: 1-800-668-2642


Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) - Rooming House (On Reserve)

The Rooming House RRAP offers repair assistance to owners of rooming houses who offer affordable rents to low-income individuals. A fully forgivable loan of up to 100 percent of the cost of mandatory repairs up to the maximum loan is available.

Sponsoring agency: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Type of agency: Federal government

Eligibility

Owners (landlords) of rooming houses intended as permanent accommodation for the occupants may apply if:
  • Rental rates for the bed units are at or below established levels for the market area, and
  • The property must lack basic facilities, or require major repair in one or more of five categories:
    • Structural
    • Electrical
    • Plumbing
    • Heating
    • Fire safety
  • Tenants are not family relatives of the owner
  • The maximum amount per bed-unit varies according to three geographic zones:
    Zone 1: Southern areas of Canada = $16,000/bed-unit
    Zone 2: Northern areas of Canada = $19,000/bed-unit *
    Zone 3: Far northern areas, Yukon and Northwest Territories, Labrador and northern Quebec = $24,000/bed-unit *

    *Additional assistance may be available in areas defined as remote.

  • The owner must cover the cost of mandatory repairs in excess of the maximum loan available. Eligible repairs are limited to mandatory repairs required to bring rooming houses up to minimum levels of health and safety.

Restrictions

Please note:
  • This program is only available on-reserve for rooming houses not owned by the Band. a
  • Any work carried out before the loan is approved in writing will NOT be eligible for funding under this program.

Contact information


For information on how to apply please contact the British Columbia CMHC Office:
Line Gullison, Manager
BC Aboriginal Housing Centre

1111 West Georgia, Suite 200, 2nd floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 4S4

Phone number.: 604-737-4035
Fax number: 604-737-4125

Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) - Secondary/ Garden suite (On Reserve)

This program is designed to assist in the creation of affordable housing for low-income seniors and adults with a disability by providing financial assistance to convert/develop existing residential properties that can reasonably accommodate a secondary self-contained unit.

Sponsoring agency: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Type of agency: Federal government

Eligibility

Eligible clients must meet the following criteria:
  • Homeowner, private entrepreneur and First Nations who owns residential properties that could create a bona fide affordable self-contained rental accommodation.
  • Eligibility is limited to existing family housing residential properties where self-contained secondary or garden suite is being created.
  • The property must meet the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction including zoning and building requirements.
  • Selected clients must enter into an Operating Agreement which establishes the rent that can be charged during the term of the Agreement.
  • A ceiling is also placed on the income of households who will occupy the newly created self-contained unit.

The assistance is in the form of a fully forgivable loan which does not have to be repaid provided the owner adheres to the conditions of the program. The maximum loan available varies in accordance to the geographic zone in which the property is located:

Zone 1: Southern areas of Canada - $24,000/unit
Zone 2: Northern areas of Canada - $28,000/unit *
Zone 3: Far northern areas of Canada - $36,000/unit *

* A 25% supplement in assistance is available in remote areas.
  • Eligible costs include all costs related to the creation of a self-contained secondary or garden suite. Additional assistance is also available under RRAP for Persons with Disabilities to undertake accessibility modifications for low-income persons with disabilities.
  • The cost of creating and upgrading common areas and elements will be prorated between the existing unit and the newly created unit. Homeowners may be eligible for assistance under Homeowner RRAP to cover their share of the prorated costs subject to the program criteria being met.
  • Please note that any work carried out before the RRAP loan in approved in NOT eligible.

Application procedure

For information on how to apply please contact the British Columbian CMHC Office.
Line Gullison, Manager
BC Aboriginal Housing Centre
1111 West Georgia, Suite 200, 2nd floor
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 4S4
Phone number.: 604-737-4035
Fax number: 604-737-4125
Email: lgulliso@cmhc-schl.gc.ca


Contact information

Telephone: 1-800-668-2642


BC Hydro Mail-In Rebates

Rebates (mail-in and online) for seasonal LED light strings, indoor clotheslines, nightlights, power bar with timer, and water-saving showerheads.

Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility


Application procedure

Visit the BC Hydro rebate website for detailed information.

Contact information



BC Hydro Power Smart Lighting Discounts

BC Hydro Power Smart is offering in-store instant discounts on ENERGY STAR light fixtures and Energy Star Specialty CFL bulbs

Sponsoring agency: BC Hydro
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility


Application procedure

Visit participating retailers for discounts on ENERGY STAR light fixtures and CFLs, and look for the Power Smart label at shelf level. Product selection for fixtures and bulbs varies by store and retailer

Contact information



Vancity Bright Idea Loan

Vancity's bright ideas home financing offers a personal loan at prime+1 rate for up to ten years. The low interest rate saves you money compared to a conventional loan. You can borrow as little as $3,500 or a maximum of $20,000.

Sponsoring agency: VanCity
Type of agency: Financial institution

Eligibility

To qualify, you need to make renovations recommended by an ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes evaluation of your home. These renovations must achieve at least a five-point improvement in your home’s energy efficiency rating. Book a home energy assessment today!

Application procedure

Please visit a Vancity branch or call 604-877-7000 for more information, or apply online for a Bright Ideas Loan.



Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI)

The Federal Buildings Initiative (FBI) is a voluntary program that helps facilitate energy efficiency retrofit projects in buildings owned or managed by the Government of Canada.

Sponsoring agency: Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada
Type of agency: Federal government

Program offerings

Enables federal organizations to implement energy efficiency retrofit projects through third-party energy performance contracts without necessarily using their own capital funds.

Eligibility


Application procedure

Contact Natural Resources Canada online or by mail or fax:
Buildings Division
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street
C/O Observatory #3
Ottawa ON K1A 0E4
Fax: 613-947-4121
TTY: 613-996-4397 (teletype for the hearing-impaired).


Contact information



Terasen Gas Efficient Boiler Program

Provides a cash rebate of up to 75% of the purchase price of an efficient boiler for commercial buildings, either for new construction or retrofits.

Sponsoring agency: Terasen Gas
Type of agency: Utility company

Eligibility


Application procedure

See website for details.

Contact information

Telephone: 1-888-477-0777


ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings

Owners of small and medium-sized buildings in the commercial and institutional sectors could receive up to $10 per gigajoule of estimated energy savings, 25 percent of eligible project costs or $50,000 per project.

Sponsoring agency: Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada
Type of agency: Federal government

Eligibility

Eligible building types include:
  • Commercial or institutional buildings such as retail stores, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, schools (including portables), stand-alone warehouses, health care facilities, places of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples), and college and university buildings;
  • Provincial, territorial or municipal buildings;
  • Multi-unit residential buildings and mixed-use commercial/residential buildings that are not eligible for the residential grant described in Part B below.
Please do not start the retrofit project or incur eligible costs until you receive written approval from Natural Resources Canada.

Application procedure

Visit the ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive for Buildings website for details.



CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Refund

CMHC offers a 10% refund on your mortgage loan insurance premium and an extended 35 year amortization period for purchasing an energy-efficient home, or making energy-efficient renovations

Sponsoring agency: Canadian Housing & Mortgage Corporation (CHMC)
Type of agency: Federal government

Program offerings

10% refund on insurance premiums, and extended 35 year mortgage amortization period.

Eligibility

For a new purchase, the home must be either R2000 certified, have an EnerGuide Rating of 77, or be built by a member of a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program. For a Renovation, the pre and post renovation EnerGuide Evaluation must show at least a 5 point improvement, and have a minimum point total of 40.

Application procedure

For a new purchase:
1. Ensure home is rated (EnerGuide or R2000)
2. Talk to your lender and ask for a CMHC insured mortgage.
3. Download & send the CMHC form

For renovations:
1. Get EnerGuide for Homes Evaluation
2. Do renovations.
3. Get post-reno evaluation to show 5 point EnerGuide Improvement, and total of EnerGuide 40.
4. Download & send the CMHC form
5. If refinancing, ask for 35 year amortization for refinanced portion of the mortgage, while the previous loan amount remains at 25 years, resulting in a blended payment amount.

Contact information

Telephone: (604) 731-5733

If 5% down payment, insurance premium is 2.75% of loan amount. If 10% down, then premium is 2%. Scenario: with 10% down and a mortgage of $300,000, then a 2% insurance premium would be $6,000 per year, and then the efficiency program saves you $600 per year.
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