The City of Hamilton offers financial incentive programs in the form of loans and grants to assist with various costs associated with development/redevelopment in the Downtowns, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and commercial corridors. The Downtown and Community Renewal Community Improvement Plan provides the basis through which these programs are provided. In addition, development within a defined area of Downtown Hamilton is exempt from development charges.
A brief description of the financial incentive programs administered by the Downtown and Community Renewal Division is provided in our new profile. More detailed descriptions and applications forms specific to each program can be accessed below:
- Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program for façade improvements within active Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).
- NEW - Gore Building Improvement Grant Program was developed to support the maintenance, attractiveness, functionality and viability of the historic building stock in the “Gore”.
- NEW - Hamilton Downtown Commercial Façade Property Improvement Grant Program is intended to provide financial assistance for commercial property owners/authorized tenants within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area.
- Hamilton Downtown Property Improvement Grant Program (formerly the Enterprise Zone Grant Program), for the development or rehabilitation of residential and/or commercial land and buildings within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area.
- Hamilton Downtown Multi-Residential Property Investment Program, for predominantly residential development together with uses accessory to the residential development.
- Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Program (formerly the Main Street Housing Loan and Grant Program), to stimulate residential development within Downtown Hamilton, Hamilton’s Community Downtowns, BIAs and “main street” corridors.
- Hamilton Downtown Office Tenancy Assistance Program, for leasehold improvements to office buildings located within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area.
- Hamilton Heritage Property Grant Program, for structural/stability work required to conserve and restore heritage features of properties; and the conservation and restoration of heritage features of properties that are designated under Parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Eligible properties must be located within: Downtown Hamilton; an active Business Improvement Area within the City of Hamilton; or, be designated under Parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act and located within the lower city between Highway 403 and the Red Hill Valley Parkway and used for commercial, institutional or multi-residential purposes.
Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program
The Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program (CPIG) provides financial assistance to commercial property owners and owner-authorized tenants within active Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) across the City.
The CPIG program will fund eligible façade and entryway improvements. For properties with a street frontage greater than 25 feet, it provides a grant on a matching basis of $400 per linear foot of street frontage, up to a maximum of $20,000 ($25,000 for corner properties or flankage exposed to a street). For properties with a street frontage of 25 feet or less, it provides a matching grant to a maximum of $10,000 (12,500 for corner properties or flankage exposed to a street).
CPIG applications are accepted year round by the Downtown & Community Renewal Division. Applicants may apply once each calendar year.
Application Form and Program Description:
NEW for 2012 – Gore Building Improvement Grant Program
The Gore Building Improvement Grant Program (the “Program”) was developed to support the maintenance, attractiveness, functionality and viability of the historic building stock that fronts on King Street East between James Street and Catharine Street, known as the “Gore”.
The Program is intended to provide financial assistance to bring existing properties to present-day Property Standards and Sign By-law requirements and, to improve their accessibility.The Program supports an objective of the Downtown Secondary Plan: conserve and enhance the Gore as the primary landscaped open space and concentration of heritage buildings in Downtown Hamilton.
Grants will be paid on a matching basis up to a maximum of $50,000 for eligible work under the Program.
Application Form and Program Description: (Note: Online application is not currently available.)
NEW for 2012 – Hamilton Downtown Commercial Façade Property Improvement Grant Program
The Hamilton Downtown Commercial Façade Property Improvement Grant Program is intended to provide financial assistance for commercial property owners/authorized tenants within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area.
The Program aims to improve upon the physical appearance of properties within the Downtown, achieve quality façade improvements and, encourage investment in the area.
Maximum grant amount will be paid on a matching basis (50%-50%) to a maximum of $10,000 per property for eligible work under the Program.
Application Form and Program Description: (Note: Online application is not currently available.)
Hamilton Downtown Property Improvement Grant Program
This program, formerly known as the Enterprise Zone Grant Program, provides an economic catalyst for developing, re-developing or renovating residential and/or commercial lands and buildings located within the boundaries of the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area.
For each grant application approved, the program will authorize a five-year grant, in an amount not exceeding the increase in municipal realty taxes as a direct result of the development/redevelopment of the land and/or building. Approved grants shall not exceed 100 percent of the municipal realty tax increase during the first year, 80 percent in year two, 60 percent in year three, 40 percent in year four and 20 percent in year five. Grants will not exceed the costs of the property’s development/redevelopment. They are not assignable by the property owner to anyone, except for purchasers of new condominium units.
Properties must meet qualifying criteria to be eligible, as outlined in the Hamilton Downtown Property Improvement Grant Program description. The Downtown and Community Renewal Division accepts applications to this program year round.
Application Form and Program Description:
Hamilton Downtown Multi-Residential Property Investment Program
The Hamilton Downtown Multi-Residential Property Investment Program was developed as a catalyst for stimulating residential development within Downtown Hamilton as defined by the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area. The Program is intended to provide financial assistance for projects that result in predominantly residential development including converting existing commercial space into residential units; renovations to existing residential units; the creation of new residential units on vacant land; together with uses accessory to the residential development.
Application Form and Program Description:
- Hamilton Downtown Multi-Residential Property Investment Program Application
- Hamilton Downtown Multi-Residential Property Investment Program Description
- Apply online
Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Program
The Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Program (formerly the Main Street Housing Loan and Grant Program) is designed to stimulate residential development within Downtown Hamilton, Community Downtowns, Business Improvement Areas and “main street” commercial corridors (streets that exhibit “main street” characteristics although they are not within a designated downtown or organized in a BIA).
The program is intended to provide financial assistance for: converting existing built commercial space into residential units, renovations to existing residential units or construction of new units via building additions. The program is also intended to provide assistance for the costs of creating new residential units on vacant land.
Pre-Application Form and Program Description:
- Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Program Description
- Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Pre-Application Form
- Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Application
- Apply online
The Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant Program applies to the following Community Improvement Project Areas:
- Ancaster Village Core
- Barton Village
- Binbrook
- Concession Street
- Downtown Dundas
- Downtown Hamilton
- Downtown Stoney Creek
- Locke Street
- Main West Esplanade
- Ottawa Street
- Waterdown
- Westdale Village
- Main Street Corridors
Hamilton Downtown Office Tenancy Assistance Program
The Hamilton Downtown Office Tenancy Assistance Program aims to attract new office tenants and owner-occupied office uses from outside the City, and to assist existing Downtown businesses to expand in the Downtown. It provides a low interest loan to building owners or tenants to support eligible leasehold improvements to office buildings located within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area. The amount of the loan depends on the square foot area and term of lease or owner-occupied status of the office space, to a maximum of $450,000 per application.
Application Form and Program Description:
- Hamilton Downtown Office Tenancy Assistance Program Description
- Hamilton Downtown Office Tenancy Assistance Program Application
- Apply Online
Hamilton Heritage Property Grant Program
The Hamilton Heritage Property Grant Program (HHPGP) is intended to provide financial assistance in the form of a grant for structural/stability work required to conserve and restore heritage features of properties; and, the conservation and restoration of heritage features of properties that are designated under parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Eligible properties must be located within: Downtown Hamilton; an active Business Improvement Area within the City of Hamilton; or, be designated under Parts IV or V of the Ontario Heritage Act and located within the lower city between Highway 403 and the Red Hill Valley Parkway and used for commercial, institutional or multi-residential purposes.
The objective of the Program is to assist in development and re-using heritage properties. City Council values heritage properties as important to the urban revitalization and regeneration of the Downtown Core and Business Improvement Areas. Conservation and restorative initiatives must be consistent with the policies, principles and design themes contained within the Downtown Hamilton Secondary Plan, relevant Urban Design Guidelines, regulations contained within the applicable Zoning By-laws as well as any other City Council approved policies/regulations.
Application Form and Program Description:
Contact Information:
Hazel Milsome
Co-ordinator of Downtown Municipal Incentives
Urban Renewal Section
Economic Development Division
Planning and Economic Development Department
City of Hamilton
71 Main Street West, 7th Floor
Hamilton, Ontario L8P 4Y5 Canada
Phone: 905-546-2424 x2755
Fax: 905-546-2693
Email: Hazel.Milsome@hamilton.ca
