Water in your basement? Use this checklist to apply for Rockcliffe No Fault Grant

The Green Line made a checklist to keep handy for when you apply for City of Toronto-run flooding grant programs.

So your basement is drenched from flooding, now what? 

The City of Toronto has a program meant to help with the cost of flood damage for Torontonians living in Rockcliffe-Smythe.

The West End neighbourhood is known to be one of our city’s most flood-prone neighbourhoods, according to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

Rockcliffe No Fault Grant for Basement Flooding Damages Program

• The grant is meant only for residents in the Rockcliffe-Smythe neighbourhood because it is in a special flood-prone area.
• The Green Line previously spoke with Rockcliffe-Smythe residents about the grant and their thoughts on whether it has been useful for the community. Some felt it wasn’t worth the stress or retraumatization of filling out the application.
• P.S. Whether the City grants or denies your application, it does not mean it is admitting responsibility for damages caused by flooding or by City infrastructure, if you choose to take legal action.

But what do you need to apply? Here’s how you can be application-ready with The Green Line’s handy checklist:

If you don’t live in Rockcliffe-Smythe, but still need financial support to upgrade and protect your home against flood damage, the City of Toronto has a Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program.

The program can help subsidize costs for 

• a home plumbing assessment,
• backwater valves,
• sump pumps and battery backup
• and foundation drain pipe severance and capping. 

• a home plumbing assessment,
• backwater valves,
• sump pumps and battery backup
• and foundation drain pipe severance and capping. 

However, each property has a lifetime cap for this program, which means that if the previous owners of your home have already used a certain amount, you could be more limited

If you’re unsure whether your property has already received subsidies, you can check its subsidy history by contacting the City at BasementFlooding@toronto.ca or 416‑338‑7668.