Residential Improvement Grant

Adding to the number of residential units available for rent will help increase the supply of housing options accessible for local residents. By focusing on downtowns and mixed-use zones rental tenants may gain access to employment opportunities and personal and professional services without requiring access to a vehicle. The Residential Improvement Grant provides funding for property owners to upgrade or renovate their mixed-use building to add new residential units or increase occupancy in existing units for long-term rental use.
Limited Funds Available
Graphic of a man entering a door to an apartment unit that is above a commercial space

Spruce the Bruce Residential Improvement Grants have now been fully allocated. However, funding remains available for the following municipalities: 

  • Northern Bruce Peninsula

Spruce the Bruce Residential Improvement Grants are available to businesses and property owners located within these municipalities. Applications from outside this area will be added to the waitlist.

Do you have what you need to submit a complete application?

*Note: all necessary quotes, project plans, and designs must be provided before an application can be approved.

  • Confirm your commercial-residential property is with an eligible CIPA (see below)
  • Confirm your planned project meets the eligible project components (see below)
  • Obtain all necessary municipal and / or County permits
  • Obtain quotes from contractors for materials and / or labour
  • Obtain designs / renderings / inspirations of the project for a visual scope
  • Ensure project work can be completed by October 31 of the calendar year

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the grant:

  • The applicant must be the property owner.
  • The building must be mixed-use (commercial-residential) and located within priority downtown or mixed-use zone in a Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA).
  • The renovations and upgrades must comply with municipal bylaws and have received appropriate permits and permissions.
  • Project work must not have started (including purchasing any materials) until the application has been approved.
  • Properties previously awarded grants are ineligible for funding under the same grant category unless the grant was provided more than five years ago, the property owner changed or the application is for unit.

Max Funding: 

  • 50% of total project cost (excluding taxes) up to $4,000.

Eligible Projects 

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

  • Supplies and labour related to the development of a new unit or expansion of existing units.
  • Supplies and labour related to necessary building code or fire code requirements.
  • Other approved by Bruce County permanent renovations or upgrades that add a new residential unit or increase the capacity of an existing residential unit.

Ineligible Projects 

Ineligible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Removable or temporary items (e.g., furniture, decorative items).
  • Projects that do not result in a new residential unit or increase the occupancy of an existing residential unit.
  • New building construction.

Eligible Municipalities

Below are the municipalities eligible for this grant, permitting the commercial-residential property is located within one of the priority downtown Community Improvement Project Areas (CIPA) of a municipality.

  • Arran-Elderslie
  • Brockton
  • Huron-Kinloss
  • Kincardine
  • Northern Bruce Peninsula
  • Saugeen Shores
  • South Bruce
  • South Bruce Peninsula

Application Intake Process

  •  

    Applications Open: Client Applies

    Applications open early February each year. The client applies for the applicable grant categories. Applications remain open until funding is exhausted.

  •  

    Applications Reviewed for Eligibility and Completion

    Only eligible projects and complete* applications proceed through the review process. Funding is not held, approved, or guaranteed. 
    *application includes all quotes (for all project materials, labour, and work), project plans, and designs.

  •  

    Applications Approved through Letter of Offer

    Funding is approved on a first-come-first-served basis for completed applications. If approved, a letter of offer (outlining grant funding and project elements approved, conditions, etc.) is sent to the client for signing.

  •  

    Client Begins Project

    Client signs the Letter of Offer and begins the project work (grant funding is not retroactive and does not cover costs associated with work completed before approval).

  •  

    Client Completes Project by October 31

    Client submits an online project completion form. Project elements and spend must comply with the details in the Letter of Offer. Only complete* forms will be reviewed and processed for payment. 
    *form includes all relevant invoices and/or receipts (for project materials, labour, and work) and after photo(s).

  •  

    Client Receives Grant Funding

    After confirmation of spend and project work, the client is sent applicable grant funding via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or cheque.

  •  

    Grant Program Closes

    All projects are to be completed by the deadline of October 31, unless otherwise noted in the letter of offer.

Contact us

Spruce the Bruce

info@sprucethebruce.com

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