Item - 2023.IE2.3

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve changes to the Residential Energy Retrofit Program in accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (March 6, 2023) from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services.

2. City Council amend the Residential Energy Retrofit Program By-law, By Law 1105-2013, to reflect the recommended changes in Recommendation 1 above.

Launched in 2014, the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP, the 'Program') is administered by the Environment and Climate Division in coordination with other Divisions, including Revenue Services. The Program provides funding to support homeowners interested in making their homes more comfortable, healthier and energy efficient, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and is a key program of TransformTO, Toronto's net-zero strategy.

Through HELP, Toronto homeowners can access low-interest loans to cover the costs of a wide range of decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures including air-source heat pumps, window/door replacements, rooftop solar photovoltaics, electric vehicle chargers and more. Since July 2022, with up to $9.7M in funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the City has been able to offer a limited amount of zero-interest financing to homeowners on a first come, first served basis which has generated a significant spike in uptake. The City received over 1200 applications after the launch of the zero-interest stream, with financing only being available for a maximum of approximately 300 applicants. The City is engaging with those waiting in the queue on other options to support their retrofits, including accessing the low-interest HELP stream, and is undertaking a broader review of HELP as per direction received during the 2023 Budget process.

At its December 14, 2022 meeting, City Council adopted Member Motion MM2.11 which requested the City Manager to review the homeowner eligibility requirements for HELP with respect to allowing residents who have a minor late payment to qualify for the Program. This report details the results of a review of homeowner eligibility within the scope of tax and utility account history, including arrears, late payments and other fees or charges. It recommends changes to HELP's current eligibility criteria and applicant approval process aimed at relaxing criteria and providing greater clarity for homeowner qualification.