Why Low-Income Programs Matter in Renfrew County
Renfrew County is a large, predominantly rural county in eastern Ontario with a significant proportion of lower-income households, many of them seniors on fixed incomes. The housing stock is aging — many homes were built in the mid-20th century and were never retrofitted for modern insulation standards or efficient heating systems. Heating oil and propane remain common in areas without natural gas, and fuel costs can be severe in a region where winter temperatures routinely drop well below -20°C.
For homeowners who cannot afford market-rate renovations, several provincial and federal programs offer grants, forgivable loans, or direct energy bill assistance. These programs are not widely advertised, and many eligible Renfrew County residents do not apply. This page summarizes the key programs available as of June 2026.
Ontario Renovates (MHSTCI)
Administered through the Ministry of Municipal Housing and Infrastructure (MHSTCI) — formerly the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing — the Ontario Renovates program offers financial assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners for two purposes:
- Accessibility modifications: Grants to help homeowners with disabilities modify their homes (ramps, widened doorways, accessible bathrooms). See also the Accessibility & Aging-in-Place Grants page for related programs.
- Home repairs: Forgivable loans for health and safety repairs including roofing, heating systems, plumbing, and structural issues that make a home unsafe or unlivable.
Ontario Renovates is delivered locally. In Renfrew County, applications are typically processed through the County of Renfrew housing department or through local Service Ontario offices. Income thresholds apply and are tied to household size and the current Ontario Works and low-income cutoffs. Funding is limited and programs often have waitlists — applying early is important.
Grants under the accessibility stream have historically been available up to approximately $15,000, while the repair loan stream may provide forgivable loans up to $25,000 for qualifying homeowners. Amounts and structures can change with budget cycles.
Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) — Low-Income Stream
The federal-provincial Canada Greener Homes Initiative and the Ontario-specific Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program have included enhanced streams for lower-income households. Under certain agreements, low-income participants may receive:
- Larger rebate amounts than the standard residential tier
- Subsidized or free energy audits (the pre-retrofit audit is otherwise a paid step)
- Priority project support from program administrators
Income thresholds for the low-income stream are typically based on household income relative to Low Income Measure (LIM) thresholds set by Statistics Canada, adjusted by region. For Renfrew County residents, contact your local Service Ontario office or the program administrator directly to determine if you qualify. The broader HER+ program details are covered on the Ontario Home Efficiency Rebate Plus page.
LEAP — Low-Income Energy Assistance Program
The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides emergency financial assistance to low-income Ontario households that are behind on their electricity or natural gas bills. It is not a renovation grant — it is a crisis bill payment program — but it can free up cash for homeowners managing tight budgets while pursuing other improvements.
LEAP is delivered through local social service agencies. In Renfrew County, contact the Renfrew County and District Health Unit or local social service offices to ask which agency administers LEAP in your municipality. Eligibility is based on income, household size, and arrears status. Emergency assistance can be provided once per year for electricity and once per year for natural gas. Additional top-up support has been available in some years through the Emergency Energy Fund.
The official gateway to LEAP information is ontario.ca — Get Help Paying Energy Bills.
Weatherization Assistance
Weatherization programs help low-income households reduce heating and cooling costs through physical improvements to the home envelope: air sealing, insulation, window caulking, and draft-proofing. These are distinct from full energy retrofit programs and are typically simpler, lower-cost interventions.
In Ontario, weatherization-style assistance has been bundled into programs administered through local Community Action Agencies and non-profit housing organizations. The specific program available in Renfrew County may vary year to year depending on provincial funding agreements. Contact the United Way Renfrew County or your local municipal social services office to ask what weatherization supports are currently active. Insulation contractors familiar with grant programs may also be aware of current weatherization initiatives.
Emergency Furnace Replacement Programs
A failed furnace in January is an emergency in Renfrew County. Several programs have provided emergency assistance for furnace or heating system replacement for low-income homeowners:
- Ontario Renovates (health and safety stream): Can cover emergency furnace replacement as a qualifying repair under the forgivable loan component.
- Local social service emergency funds: Some municipalities and social service agencies maintain emergency home repair funds. These vary significantly by municipality.
- Enbridge Gas winter programs: For homes on natural gas, Enbridge has historically offered emergency furnace replacement programs for low-income customers. Contact Enbridge directly for current program availability.
- Non-profit and charitable organizations: Habitat for Humanity Ottawa Valley and similar organizations occasionally assist with critical home repairs for qualifying households.
If you are facing a heating emergency, contact the County of Renfrew Social Services at their main office in Pembroke as a first step. They can direct you to the fastest available resource.
How to Apply — Starting Points in Renfrew County
- County of Renfrew Social Services / Housing: Primary gateway for Ontario Renovates and local emergency funds. Located in Pembroke.
- Service Ontario: Can provide program referrals and application guidance for provincial programs.
- 211 Ontario: Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca for a comprehensive referral to social services and housing programs in your area.
- Local utilities: Hydro One and Pembroke Hydro may have additional customer assistance programs for low-income accounts.