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Lanark County councillors are divided over whether making home energy retrofit funding easier to access could come at the expense of environmental goals.
Council approved a motion to modify the Better Homes Lanark program, including lowering the minimum energy or greenhouse gas reduction requirement from 30 to 20 per cent.
The detailed funding and eligibility changes are expected to return to county council for further consideration, with a proposed effective date of Jan. 1, 2027.
Warden Richard Kidd argued the lower threshold would weaken the program’s environmental purpose.
Climate and Environmental Coordinator Elizabeth Boldt says reducing the requirement could help the homeowner who is making smaller renovations.
Staff reported that 13 applicants had been turned down for falling below the existing threshold.
They also said the number of people who did not apply or withdrew because they expected not to qualify is unknown.
The motion passed, with staff expected to bring updated funding and eligibility details back to council.
