Applications open for Kingston-Frontenac homeownership affordability programs

The three programs aimed at “helping make home ownership more affordable” are as follows:

• The Home Ownership Program, which offers down payment assistance.
• The Kingston-Frontenac Renovates Program, which offers supports for improving home accessibility or completing urgent repairs.
• The Second Residential Unit Affordable Housing Grant Program, which offers homeowners support to add a secondary suite on their property (open to Kingston residents only).

“In addition to the City’s ongoing work to alleviate homelessness and the development of new affordable housing, the affordable housing programs available to homeowners and prospective homeowners demonstrates the broad range of housing programs available in the community,” Ruth Noordegraaf, Director of Housing and Social Services for the City of Kingston said in a statement.

The City offered the following information on each of the programs (click on the links for more information from the City of Kingston website):

Home Ownership Program: Down payment assistance 
The Home Ownership Program helps Kingston and County of Frontenac renters with low-to-moderate incomes purchase a home by offering down payment assistance up to a maximum of 10 per cent off the purchase price. Eligible program participants must be currently renting a self-contained dwelling unit that will be re-rented following the purchase of a home.   
 

Kingston-Frontenac Renovates:  Home improvement assistance 
The Kingston Frontenac Renovates program offers low-to-moderate income homeowners up to $15,000 for emergency repairs and renovations that make their home accessible. Eligible repairs may include, but are not limited to, furnace or window replacement, roof repair or replacement, and accessibility ramp or lift installations. 
 

Second Residential Unit Affordable Housing Grant Program 
To complement existing affordable housing programs available within the City, the Second Residential Unit Affordable Housing Grant Program  provides a forgivable loan of the lesser of $15,000 or 75 per cent of the costs associated with developing a second residential unit. 

Current homeowners, or those looking to purchase a home, can find eligibility criteria and application forms for the above programs at CityofKingston.ca/Housing. Applications for all three programs are currently being accepted (since Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023), and funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the City.

Applications can be submitted by mail to ‘City of Kingston, Housing and Social Services at 362 Montreal St., Kingston, ON, K7K 3H5. Applications can also be submitted in person to the reception desk on the second floor of the Housing and Social Services building at 362 Montreal Street.

Questions regarding these programs can be submitted via email to [email protected], or by phone at 613-546-2694 ext. 4949.