Province taking over homeowner grants from municipalities

This year's grant threshold for B.C. homeowners is set at $1.625 million.

The provincial government is taking over administration of the homeowner grants from municipalities, and announced Tuesday that this year’s grant threshold is set at $1.625 million.

The province already administers the grant for rural homeowners. Homeowners in all municipalities will now submit their applications directly to the B.C. government instead of through their municipal office.

As in previous years, applications will open in May when a majority of property tax notices are received.

The B.C. Finance Ministry is reminding homeowners to keep their property assessment notice or property tax notice from their municipality because they will need their roll and jurisdiction number to apply for the grant.

The grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 of assessed value above the threshold. Some low-income seniors, veterans and people with disabilities can also apply for a supplement that replaces any grant amount they lose due to the value of their home being over the threshold.