Oct 30, 2023 – On Monday night City Council unanimously approved the Older
Homeowner Tax Increase Deferral program, a deferral program for the City’s portion of
property tax increases for low-income older adult homeowners. The program will be open
for intake for the 2024 tax year and beyond.
The concept for this program is to allow older adult homeowners making less than the
median household income to defer the increase in the City portion of their annual property
tax bill from the year of application until such time as the home is sold.
“The passage of the Older Homeowner Tax Increase Deferral Program is another tool for
residents to keep home ownership affordable. It was a part of my campaign to introduce
this program, and I’m glad that Council has seen fit to introduce it here in our city for the
upcoming tax year and beyond,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe.
“City Council needs to continue to balance the need to offer services and maintain
infrastructure that people depend on, with ensuring that we keep life affordable for
residents. This program will allow for cost certainty around the City portion of property
taxes for lower-income seniors, and will allow older adults to stay in their homes and
neighborhoods where they have the supports they need. I will continue to advocate at the
Region for a complimentary Older Homeowner Tax Increase Deferral Program at the
Regional level of government as well.”
Now that Council has approved this program, staff will finalize the program criteria and
develop an application process. Once the details of the program are finalized information
will be shared with the public to allow for applications to be made as it relates to the 2024
property tax bills.
Mat Siscoe
Mayor of St. Catharines