Canada Greener Homes Loan: Portal Status & What to Do Now

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed — and thousands of homeowners are still searching for it.

If you landed here looking for the portal login or hoping to apply, here’s the short version: funding has been fully committed, and new applications stopped being accepted on October 2, 2025. Your renovation plans don’t have to stall out, though. This guide covers what the program offered, what happens if you were already approved, and what your real options look like now.

Here’s what you’ll get from this article:

• A clear breakdown of what the Canada Greener Homes Loan was, who it served, and why it mattered
• Portal status and next steps for existing approved borrowers and homeowners who missed the window
• Practical alternatives — including how to stack provincial rebates with home equity financing to fund your retrofits today

P.S. — If you’ve been turned away by banks or government programs because of your credit or income type, Lotly’s secured home loans were built for exactly that situation. See your options here.

TL;DR

• Program is closed. The Canada Greener Homes Loan stopped accepting new applications on October 2, 2025 — funding is fully committed.
• Already approved? Your loan funding is safe. Continue with your retrofits and manage everything through the portal as normal.
• Missed the window? Provincial rebates (like Enbridge’s Home Efficiency Rebate) and secured home loans can fill the gap.
• Credit or income issues? Lotly’s secured home loans accept all credit scores and income types — including self-employed and gig workers — for Ontario homeowners with equity.

What was the Canada Greener Homes Loan?

The Canada Greener Homes Loan was a federal program that gave Canadian homeowners interest-free financing to make their homes more energy-efficient. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) ran the program, with CMHC and Intellifi (now Nesto Cloud) handling loan origination and servicing. It provided between $5,000 and $40,000 as an unsecured personal loan, repayable over 10 years at 0% interest.

The loan was designed to work alongside the Canada Greener Homes Grant — a separate, non-repayable rebate of up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits. Together, they were meant to put energy-efficient upgrades within reach for a wide range of Canadian homeowners.

Funds came in two stages: a portion upfront to cover contractor deposits, and the balance after retrofits were completed and verified through a post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. That two-stage structure protected both borrowers and the program — but it also meant the process wasn’t quick.

Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan still available?

No. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed to new applications. Funding has been fully committed, and no new loan applications can be approved.

The portal (cghli.ca) stopped accepting new applications on October 2, 2025. If you haven’t already been approved, there’s no path in.

A few important clarifications:

• Already approved? Your loan funding is unaffected by the closure. You can continue with your retrofit projects and submit funding requests through the portal as normal.
• Applied before the closure but not yet approved? Submitting an application before the deadline did not guarantee approval. Applications were processed in the order they were received, and funding ran out before all applications could be reviewed.
• Searching for the portal login? The portal is only accessible for existing approved applicants managing their accounts — not for new applications.

For the most current program status, check NRCan’s official Canada Greener Homes Loan page.

Canada Greener Homes Loan portal — what you need to know

The Canada Greener Homes Loan portal (cghli.ca) was the only place to apply and manage a Greener Homes Loan. Many people are still searching for it—to check application status, access an existing account, or apply for the first time. Here’s where things stand:

• The portal is closed to new applications as of October 2, 2025
• If you already have an approved loan, you can still log in to manage it and submit funding requests
• Security warning from CMHC: Never share personal information with third parties claiming to represent CMHC or the Greener Homes Loan. The program never asks for deposits from applicants, and you should never let someone submit documentation on your behalf. Only use the official portal.

If you’re searching for the portal hoping to apply for the first time, the section below covers your best available alternatives.

Who was eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Loan?

Eligibility had some specific requirements — and understanding where the program drew its lines shows exactly where alternative financing can step in.

The program required good credit and a manageable debt load. That shut out many homeowners — particularly those carrying high-interest debt, recovering from financial hardship, or earning income through self-employment — even when their homes were exactly the kind that needed upgrades.

Full eligibility requirements:

• Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or non-permanent resident legally authorized to work in Canada
• Must own the home, and it must be your primary residence
• A pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation completed on or after April 1, 2020, with results submitted to NRCan before applying
• Good credit history required — applicants in a consumer proposal, orderly payment of debt program, or bankruptcy were not eligible
• Total monthly housing costs and debt payments could not exceed 44% of gross monthly income (TDS ratio)
• Work could not have already started or been completed before approval
• Retrofits had to be recommended in the pre-retrofit evaluation and eligible for the Greener Homes Grant

Special provisions existed for low-rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), Indigenous group applicants, and northern/off-grid communities — where retrofit cost limits were adjusted upward by 30% to account for higher equipment and labour costs.

The credit and TDS requirements are worth flagging: they’re the reason many homeowners were turned away, and the clearest argument for why private financing alternatives matter. If a consumer proposal or high debt load disqualified you, you’re far from alone.

What retrofits were covered?

The Greener Homes Loan wasn’t a general renovation fund — it was tied specifically to energy-efficiency upgrades recommended through an EnerGuide evaluation. If it wasn’t on the evaluation and in your approved application, it wasn’t eligible.

Covered retrofit categories included:

• Insulation upgrades — attic, walls, basement, exposed floors
• Window and door replacements — energy-efficient models only
• Heat pump installations — air-source and ground-source
• Solar panel systems
• Water heater upgrades
• Space heating system replacements
• Draft-proofing and air sealing
• Northern/off-grid communities only: replacements of fossil-fuel burning equipment and additional insulation measures

One important caveat: you can't add retrofits not included in your original application later. And if you dropped some approved retrofits from your plan, the adjusted loan amount still had to be at least $5,000 to stay eligible.

Now that the Greener Homes Loan is closed — what are your options?

Thousands of homeowners either missed the application window, were turned away due to credit or income requirements, or need more than $40,000 for their renovation plans. That’s a real problem, but not an unsolvable one.

Here’s a practical decision tree:

Do you already have an approved Greener Homes Loan?

  → YES → Continue with your retrofits; manage via the portal as normal

  → NO ↓

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Is your renovation specifically for energy efficiency?

  → YES → Check provincial/municipal rebates (Enbridge, Save on Energy) ↓

  → NO → Consider a secured home loan for broader renovation needs ↓

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Do you have good credit and meet a 44% TDS ratio?

  → YES → You may qualify for traditional bank financing

  → NO → A secured home loan (like Lotly's) accepts all credit scores and income types ↓

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How much do you need?

  → Under $10K → A personal loan or line of credit may be enough

  → $10K–$1M → A secured home loan leveraging your home equity

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Provincial and municipal incentive programs

The federal program is closed, but several provinces and municipalities still offer rebates, grants, or low-interest loans for energy-efficient upgrades — and these can often be combined with private financing.

In Ontario specifically:

• Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate — rebates for insulation, smart thermostats, and other upgrades for eligible Enbridge gas customers
• Save on Energy programs — incentives for heat pumps, lighting, and other efficiency measures
• Some municipalities offer property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing, which ties repayment to your property tax bill

These programs change frequently, so always verify current availability before planning your budget. The key advantage: most rebates can be stacked with other financing — meaning you can apply for a rebate and use a secured home loan to cover the upfront cost, then put the rebate funds toward the principal. For a broader look at what’s available to Canadian homeowners, see this overview of grants for Canadian homeowners.

Using home equity to fund energy-efficient renovations

If you own your home and have built equity, you may be able to access more than the Greener Homes Loan ever offered — without the program’s strict credit or TDS cutoffs.

The Greener Homes Loan capped at $40,000 and required good credit plus a TDS ratio under 44%. A secured home loan uses your existing home equity to provide a lump sum, often with more flexible qualification criteria and no restriction on retrofit type. You can fund energy upgrades, structural repairs, and other improvements in one package — no EnerGuide evaluation required to unlock the funds.

If you were turned down for the Greener Homes Loan because of your credit history, a consumer proposal, or irregular income, Lotly’s secured home loans offer a different path. Lotly works with all credit scores and income types — including self-employed Canadians, gig workers, and those receiving benefits — and can provide between $10,000 and $1,000,000 based on your home equity. Many Ontario homeowners have used this to fund renovations that improve both energy efficiency and property value, all in one loan with transparent fees and terms. You can learn more about how home renovation loans work before you apply.

“When things didn’t go our way, Lotly went above & beyond to try other ways and got us approved.” — Janifer F

See if you qualify for a secured home loan →

Greener Homes Loan vs. secured home loan — quick comparison

Feature

Canada Greener Homes Loan

Lotly Secured Home Loan

Status

Closed (fully committed)

Currently available

Loan Amount

$5,000 – $40,000

$10,000 – $1,000,000

Interest Rate

0%

Varies (transparent fee structure)

Loan Type

Unsecured personal loan

Secured against home equity

Credit Requirement

Good credit required; no consumer proposals or bankruptcy

All credit scores welcome

Income Requirement

Must meet 44% TDS ratio

All income types accepted

Eligible Uses

Energy-efficient retrofits only

Renovations, debt consolidation, emergencies, life events, and more

EnerGuide Evaluation

Required (pre- and post-retrofit)

Not required

Typical Funding Timeline

Variable (application queue)

~2 weeks

Geographic Eligibility

All of Canada

Ontario homeowners

The 0% interest rate was the Greener Homes Loan’s strongest feature — no private lender can match that. But a program that’s closed, capped at $40,000, and excludes homeowners with imperfect credit isn’t actually available to the people who need it most.

The hidden cost of waiting

Here’s something worth saying plainly: the Greener Homes Loan’s credit requirements effectively excluded the homeowners who stood to benefit most from lower energy bills.

A homeowner carrying high-interest debt and a TDS ratio above 44% is almost certainly paying inflated energy bills on top of everything else. The government program — well-intentioned as it was — couldn’t help them. A secured home loan can.

Better still: a secured home loan can be structured to fund the renovation and consolidate the high-interest debt that would have disqualified the homeowner from the government program in the first place. Two problems, one loan — improved energy efficiency and lower monthly debt payments at the same time. If carrying multiple debts is part of your picture, it’s worth reading about debt consolidation loans as part of your planning.

Every month a homeowner delays energy upgrades, they’re paying for it in energy bills. The Greener Homes Loan is gone, but the energy waste isn’t — and sitting around waiting for another government program could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in the meantime.

How to stack provincial rebates with a secured home loan

Here’s a practical approach to layering financing sources now that the federal loan is closed:

1. Identify eligible rebates — Check Enbridge’s Home Efficiency Rebate and Save on Energy programs for your specific planned retrofits. Note the rebate amounts and any application deadlines.
2. Get contractor quotes — Collect quotes for the full scope of work, including any upgrades beyond what rebates cover.
3. Apply for a secured home loan — Use your home equity to cover the total upfront cost. Lotly can structure a loan that fits your monthly budget, with approval for all credit scores and income types.
4. Complete the work — Once funded, proceed with your contractors. Keep all receipts and documentation for rebate applications.
5. Submit rebate applications — Apply for provincial and municipal rebates after work is complete. Use those funds to pay down your loan principal or redirect them toward other financial goals.

This approach lets you start your retrofits now — without waiting for a new government program — while still capturing every rebate dollar you’re entitled to.

What if you already have an approved Greener Homes Loan?

If your application was approved before the portal closed, your situation is straightforward — there’s nothing to worry about.

• Your approved loan and funding remain fully available, regardless of the portal closure
• Continue with your retrofit projects as planned and submit funding requests through the portal as normal
• Make sure your post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation gets done — it’s required to release the balance of your loan
• If you dropped some retrofits from your original plan, the adjusted loan amount must still be at least $5,000 to remain eligible
• Do not begin work on retrofits not included in your original approved application — these cannot be added after the fact

If you have questions about your specific loan status, contact your loan servicer directly through the portal.

Ready to fund your renovations? Lotly can help

The Canada Greener Homes Loan offered something genuinely valuable — 0% interest, federal backing, and a clear purpose. But it’s closed, and the energy inefficiency in your home isn’t waiting around for the next government program.

• Stack your financing. Combine available provincial rebates with a secured home loan to cover the full cost of your retrofits — and start saving on energy bills now instead of later.
• Don’t let credit hold you back. The Greener Homes Loan excluded homeowners with imperfect credit or high debt loads. Lotly’s secured home loans accept all credit scores and all income types, including self-employed and gig workers.
• Go beyond retrofits. A secured home loan isn’t limited to energy upgrades — you can consolidate high-interest debt at the same time, freeing up monthly cash flow while improving your home.
• Existing approved borrowers are protected. If your loan was approved before the portal closed, your funding is safe — continue with your retrofits and manage everything through the portal as normal.

P.S. If you’re ready to see your options, Lotly makes it straightforward. One form, real solutions, and a team that works in your corner. Book a free consultation to get started today.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for the Canada Greener Homes Loan?
No. The program is fully committed and closed to new applications as of October 2, 2025. No new loan applications can be approved.

What happens to my approved Greener Homes Loan?
If your application was already approved, your loan funding remains available. You can continue with your retrofits and submit funding requests through the portal as normal.

I was denied because of my credit — are there other options?
Yes. If your credit score, a consumer proposal, or a high TDS ratio disqualified you, secured home loan providers like Lotly work with all credit backgrounds. As long as you’re an Ontario homeowner with equity, you may qualify for $10,000 to $1,000,000 to fund renovations and other needs. Start your application here.

Can I combine a Greener Homes Grant with other financing?
The Greener Homes Grant (separate from the loan) may still be available depending on current program status — check NRCan’s website for the latest. Provincial rebates and private financing like a secured home loan can often be used alongside grants.

Is the Greener Homes Loan portal still accessible?
Only for existing approved applicants managing their accounts. The portal remains functional for those with active loans, but new applications are not accepted.

What’s the difference between the Greener Homes Loan and the Greener Homes Grant?
The loan was interest-free financing ($5,000–$40,000) that had to be repaid over 10 years. The grant was a non-repayable rebate of up to $5,000 for eligible retrofits. They were separate programs under the same Canada Greener Homes Initiative.

What if I need more than $40,000 for my renovations?
The Greener Homes Loan was capped at $40,000. A secured home loan through Lotly can provide up to $1,000,000 based on your home equity, with no restriction on how funds are used across your renovation project.

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