# Is there a grant to build an ADU in Hamilton?

> Hamilton's ADU and Multi-Plex Housing Incentive Program paid 70% of costs up to $40,000 a unit and is now closed. The backwater valve grant excludes ADUs.

- Canonical HTML: https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/adu-grants/
- Section: Home > Guides > Money for an ADU in Hamilton
- Business: JDT Construction Inc., Hamilton, ON, Canada (serves Hamilton)
- Phone: (905) 818-0106 | Email: johnny@jdtconstruction.ca
- Page updated: 2026-11-05

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Guides

Not from the City of Hamilton right now. Its Additional Dwelling Unit and Multi-Plex Housing Incentive Program paid 70% of eligible costs, up to $40,000 a unit, but the City says it has reached its funding capacity and is closed, with no waitlist. Its backwater valve grant excludes homes adding a secondary dwelling unit. JDT Construction will update this page if the City reopens a program.

## What did the City's ADU grant pay?

A lot, while it was open. The City describes it as a grant to help with the costs of “Additional Dwelling Units or Garden Suites within, or on the same property as, new or existing low-density houses”. Since October 9, 2025: “The value of the Grant is 70% of Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $40,000 per Eligible Unit(s).” It paid in two advances, the first of 20% based on “a contractor's estimate for total Eligible Costs” and the rest when the occupancy permit was issued [(City of Hamilton, Housing Accelerator Fund, read November 5, 2026)](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/housing-secretariat/housing-accelerator-fund).

**How the City of Hamilton's ADU grant was paid (rules since October 9, 2025)**

| Payment | Amount | When |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First advance | 20% of the estimated grant, up to $8,000 a unit | Early, from a contractor's estimate of eligible costs |
| Second advance | Up to 70% of actual eligible costs, less the first advance | When the occupancy permit is issued |
| Total | No more than $40,000 a unit | Across the two advances |

## Is it open now?

No. The City: “The Additional Dwelling Unit and Multi-Plex Housing Incentive Program has reached its allocated funding capacity, and the application portal is now closed to new submissions.” And: “we are unable to accept new applications, grant extensions, create a waitlist, cancellation list, or make exceptions to this closure.” [(City of Hamilton, Housing Accelerator Fund, read November 5, 2026)](https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/housing-secretariat/housing-accelerator-fund) If the City reopens it or starts a new program, it will be on that page.

## What about the backwater valve grant?

Not while adding a unit. Hamilton's Protective Plumbing Program grant of up to $2,000 lists, among its conditions, “You are not currently in the process of adding a secondary dwelling unit.” [(City of Hamilton, Protective Plumbing Program, read November 5, 2026)](https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/house-home/basement-flooding/protective-plumbing-program) The program itself is explained in [the backwater valve grant](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/backwater-valve/).

## What still lowers the cost?

Choosing the cheaper kind of unit for your lot, and getting the plan right before the permit. The City's permit fee for an ADU is a flat $515 inside the house or $1,030 detached, set out in [what a building permit costs](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/permit-fees/); the differences between the two kinds are in [basement unit or garden suite](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/guides/basement-unit-or-garden-suite/). JDT Construction Inc. draws the unit on your own property and prices the whole job in one written proposal before you commit; see the [ADUs page](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/builds/adus/).

Published by JDT Construction Inc., Hamilton. Updated November 5, 2026. Free to share and quote, with a link back to this page.

## Planning a build?

JDT draws it on a picture of your property and prices it in one written proposal.

[Call (905) 818-0106](tel:+19058180106) [Request a quote](https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/request/?problem=adu)

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JDT Construction Inc. Call (905) 818-0106. Full site: https://www.jdtconstruction.ca/