Grants & Programs to Newcomers in Canada at Affordable Prices

Chrystia free land, Deputy Premier/Finance minister, announced a number of measures to help first-time home buyers and homeowners.

With the restrictions imposed by the federal government on foreign buyers last year, one wonders what these new measures for housing affordability will mean for first-time home buyers and Newcomers to Canada. 

The following discussion will show how policies that resulted in a higher RRSP withdraw limit and longer mortgage terms could help this action. It would provide a more straightforward path for newcomers who come to Canada to purchase their home.

Non-Canadians include those who are Temporary ResidentsForeign workers and international students could be eligible for a Canadian residential property. 

The first-time home buyer program will be available starting April 16, 2024Allowing them to withdraw more money from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan in order to force a downpayment for their first home.

After the change takes effect, first-time homebuyers in Canada can withdraw $60,000 to use as a downpayment on the property that they are buying, instead of the previous limit of $25,000. Prior to April 16, first-time homebuyers were only allowed to withdraw $35,000 for a downpayment on a house.

According to Minister Freeland the increased RRSP withdraw limits “plus the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account* [FHSA], can be combined.”Freeland says that these initiatives can be combined to create a more effective and efficient system “will give younger Canadians more tools to save what is actually needed”Purchase your first home

Increased withdrawal limits for Registered Retirement Savings Plans

Effectiveness April 16, 2024First-Time home buyers will be able a withdraw more money to pay for their first house from their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP).

Specifically, after this change comes into effect, first time home buyers in Canada can withdraw up to $60,000 towards a deposit on the property they’re buying. This is an increase of $25,000 over the previous withdrawal limit. Before April 16First-time homebuyers could only withdraw up to $35,000 from their RRSP as a downpayment on a house.

Minister Freeland increases RRSP withdrawal limit “plus the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account* [FHSA], can be combine.”These initiatives are grouped together as Free Land says. “will give younger Newcomer to Canada more tools to save what is actual needs”Purchase your first home

*Below is more information on FHSAs.

In other words, the government’s decision to increase RRSP withdrawal limits is expect to allow Canadians, including eligible Newcomer to Canada, to access more money they can use for a down payment, easing the initial financial burden of purchasing a home in Canada.

Canada’s tax-free FHSA

In 2022The Canadian government introduced an FHSA, a new savings account. This tax-free account allows Canadian citizens and permanent resident to save up $8,000 per annum towards their first home. This account is unique in that it allows account holders to receive several tax benefits as they save for their first home.

• Contributions to FHSAs are tax deductible and provide tax rebates for account holders.
• The growth that occurs when money is contributed to an FHSA, is tax-free
• The money that is withdrawn from the FHSA account for a downpayment on a home does not have to be taxed.

Note:Contributions to FHSAs are tax-free up to a maximum of $40,000 per lifetime.

Extended RRSP repayment Period

According to the Canadian government Canadians with RRSPs, including newcomers will soon have twice as much time as they did before. “to start repaying their RRSP contributions [after making] a withdrawal to pay for the deposit on a home.”

According to Freeland, “first-time home buyers who withdraw money from their RRSPs [by] Dec. 31, 2025, will now have five years to begin repayments.”Before the extension, Canadians and newcomers who had an RRSP only had two years to repay their contributions.

This extension will give eligible account holders more financial flexibility to repay their RRSPs. This is beneficial to new homeowners in both the short and long term.

Mortgages with an extended amortisation period

Beginning on August 1 this year, some* first-time home buyers with insured mortgages “will get 30 years to pay [their] mortgage back”According to the Canadian Government,

Note:First-time buyers will only be eligible for the extended amortisation if they buy a newly built house.

The longer amortization periods for mortgages have a positive effect on Canadian home owners because they reduce their monthly payments.

According to Minister Freeland, this initiative will make it possible for “more younger Canadians [to] afford to pay that monthly mortgage on a new home”. This should make home ownership more accessible to younger Canadians in general. This could also benefit young adults who immigrate to Canada.

Changes to the Canadian Mortgage Charter

The Canadian government Canadian Mortgage Charter has been updated this fall, an update that will especially serve to benefit Newcomer to Canada & other “vulnerable borrowers.”

A summary of the government’s most recent Charter update is available below.

According to a Recent article from CBC NewsIn line with the new Mortgage charter update:

• Banks must now comply with new regulations “reach out to Newcomer to Canada four to six months in advance of their mortgage renewal date to inform them of affordability options”
• Lenders are now required to contact borrowers “up to 24 months in advance of a homeowner’s mortgage renewal to discuss options”
• Lenders must* now “provide temporary extensions on the amortization period for mortgage holders who were facing financial difficulties.”

*It is important, the temporary extension measure “Is now being made permanent … depending on a home Owner’s circumstances” According to Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister. Free Land also stated that this update could even apply to “people with insured mortgages and making that change will not come with any extra fees or penalties.”

In addition to what was mentioned above, according to a CBC News article the government has announced the following Charter updates that will assist “vulnerable borrowers under financial strain”:

• Mortgage relief measures can be obtained by waiving fees and charges that would otherwise be charged.
• When mortgage relief measures lead to mortgage payments that do not cover interest payments, interest is waived.
• Mortgage holders who are insured will be exempted from “re-qualifying under the stress test when switching lenders at the time of a mortgage renewal”
• Borrowers are allowed “to make lump sum payments to avoid negative amortization or sell their principal residence without incurring prepayment penalties”

The extended notice periods that banks and other lenders have imposed should give homeowners more time to plan their financial future. In addition, some people expect to see fees and interest payments waived. Housing may also become more affordable because of extended amortization periods.