There are several programs available in Ontario and across Canada to help make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.

These are offered at the federal and provincial & Municipal levels, and in some cases, by private and non profit enterprises

There programs are constantly changing.
Depending on the economic conditions:

> New programs are started
> Programs stop when funds run out
> Programs are renewed yearly
> Sometimes they are stopped totally.

Federal programs available in Ontario

First Home Savings Account (FHSA): This registered plan allows first-time homebuyers to save up to $40,000 tax-free for a down payment.

Benefit for couples: Spouses or common-law partners can each open an FHSA, effectively doubling the tax-free savings for a household to $80,000.

Home Buyers' Plan (HBP): This program allows first-time buyers to withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) for a down payment.

Benefit for couples: A couple can withdraw up to $120,000 in total ($60,000 each).

First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (HBTC): You can claim a non-refundable income tax credit of up to $1,500 on your federal income tax return to help with closing costs, such as legal fees and inspections.

Provincial (Ontario) and municipal programs

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) Rebate (Provincial): Ontario offers first-time buyers a rebate on the provincial LTT of up to $4,000. This can eliminate the tax entirely for homes priced at $368,000 or less.

Land Transfer Tax (LTT) Rebate (Toronto): If you are purchasing a home in Toronto, you can receive an additional municipal LTT rebate of up to $4,475.

Municipal Down payment assistance

Stratford: The city offers down payment assistance loans of up to 5% of the purchase price, forgivable after 20 years.

Simcoe County: Qualified buyers can receive a down payment loan of up to 10% of the home's value, forgivable after 20 years.

Lanark County: Residents who rent in the county and meet income requirements can receive a forgivable loan for a down payment.

Renfrew County: The county offers down payment assistance in the form of a forgivable loan to eligible low-to-moderate-income renter households.

Other Municipal and regional programs

Many municipalities and counties in Ontario offer their own affordable homeownership programs, typically providing forgivable loans for down payment assistance. These programs are often funded through provincial and federal initiatives.

County of Renfrew: Provides down payment assistance to low-to-moderate-income renter households in the form of a 20-year forgivable loan.

City of Stratford: Offers down payment assistance to qualifying residents.

Simcoe County: Provides down payment assistance of 10% on an affordable home, also through a 20-year forgivable loan.

City of Toronto: The Affordable Home Ownership Program in Toronto offers down payment assistance loans up to 10% for first-time homebuyers with modest incomes. Non-profits like Habitat for Humanity and government-run programs have local offices that can provide direct assistance and detailed information on their application process

Private shared equity programs:

A private company offers home co-ownership, where they co-invest in your home by contributing 5% up to 15% of your home's purchase price as a down payment, up to a maximum of $250,000. Your ownership share is based on your percentage of the down payment contributed. If you make a 5% down payment and The private company makes a 15% down payment, then you would have a 25% share of your home's appreciation.

Charitable Programs


In Ontario, charitable and non-profit homeownership programs can help low-to-moderate-income families buy their first home through financial assistance and educational support. The most prominent programs include Habitat for Humanity and various municipal Affordable Homeownership Programs.

Habitat for Humanity Canada

Habitat for Humanity is a well-known charity that partners with working families to build or buy homes with an affordable, interest-free mortgage.

BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Homeownership Bridge Program

This program helps working Black families become homeowners, with a focus on addressing systemic barriers.

Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS)

The OAHS delivers housing programs to Indigenous people both on and off-reserve in Ontario.

Options for homes:

"Options for homes" can refer to a non-profit organization like Options for Homes that helps people achieve homeownership by providing down payment support and financial literacy, or it can mean a real estate option contract, a legal agreement giving a potential buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a property at a set price within a specific time.