Homeownership Program (B-Home) Fact Sheet

What if owning your first home was within reach? What if turning your rent payments into mortgage payments could be a reality?
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, the B-Home Program has been developed to assist low to moderate income earners realize the dream of owning their first home.

Purpose

The purpose of the B-HOME Homeownership Program is to:

  • Make first time home ownership a reality for low to moderate income households in Brantford/Brant
  • Ease the demand for rental housing by assisting renter households to buy affordable houses 
  • Offer down payment assistance for homebuyers through a 5% forgivable loan to a maximum of $20,000* 
  • Encourage developers to build affordable housing

Eligible Buyers

To be eligible for a down payment loan a buyer must:

  • Be a Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or have Refugee Claimant Status with no outstanding removal order
  • Must be a first time home buyer
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Not own or have an interest in other residential properties or owe arrears to a government assisted affordable housing provider or City of Brantford Housing (COB)
  • Currently be renting in Brantford or Brant County, and also be looking to buy a sole and principle residence in Brantford/Brant
  • Have a gross household income below $90,600* and assets below $30,000
  • Be eligible to obtain a mortgage (Pre-approval required)
  • Provide documents to prove eligibility
  • Agree to register loan on title for 20 years

Eligible Homes

  • New homes
  • Resale homes (home inspection required at buyer’s cost) 
  • Purchase price cannot exceed $400,000*
  • May be detached, semi- detached, townhome, duplex or condo 
  • Must be modest in size and features 
  • Cannot be a home in which the buyer or any member of the buyer’s family has an ownership interest 
  • Home must be purchased in Brantford or Brant County
  • Cannot be a new home which received a development charge waiver to support homeownership for first-time home buyers

Homeowner Assistance

  • Homeowners will receive 5% of the cost of an eligible home (maximum $20,000*) at the time of purchase closing
  • No interest will be charged on the loan

Conditions for Repayment Of the Down Payment Loan

If the home is sold before the 20 year period expires:

  • Homeowner is required to pay the original down payment loan plus 5% of the realized capital gain. An independent appraisal of the property will be completed at the City’s expense.
  • A homeowner may agree to voluntarily repay the down payment loan at any time. Interest will not be charged on the repayment amount.

If a purchaser ceases to occupy the unit as the sole and principle residence within 20 years of the date of purchase, it is deemed a sale and the repayment requirements apply.

Conditions of Non-Repayment of the Down Payment Loan

If the home is sold before the 20 year period expires but the seller experiences a capital loss, repayment would be waived provided the sale meets the following criteria:

  • The unit is sold at fair market value (verified by a home inspector paid for by the City).
  • The purchase and sale of the unit is an arm’s length transaction.
  • If the house is sold for less than the original purchase price, the owner does not pay appreciation and the principal is forgiven.

* Based on Provincial guidelines and subject to change.

Contact

 For more information regarding the B-HOME program contact: Provider Services Coordinator at 519-759-4150, Ext. 6277