Updated June 2026 · Verified against City of London (Ontario) — Community Improvement guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Forgivable Loan Municipal Active

London Façade Improvement Loan

City of London (Ontario) — Community Improvement
Loan Range
Up to $50,000
Ongoing — subject to budget availability
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Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Financing share
50%
London Façade Improvement Loan provides Up to $50,000 (50% of costs), 0% interest; partly forgivable in designated CIPAs. Interest-free loan covering up to 50% of eligible exterior façade improvement costs, to a maximum of $50,000, for commercial property owners or tenants in approved London Community Improvement Project Areas. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

Interest-free loan covering up to 50% of eligible exterior façade improvement costs, to a maximum of $50,000, for commercial property owners or tenants in approved London Community Improvement Project Areas. Portions of the loan may be forgivable in designated areas, making this a hybrid financial incentive for storefront upgrades including windows, doors, masonry, painting, canopies, lighting, and signage.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Registered commercial property owner or authorized agent/tenant in an approved London Community Improvement Project Area
  • No outstanding debts or defaults to the City of London
  • Pre-approval required — façade work cannot begin before written approval is issued
  • Improvements must be to the exterior façade of a commercial building (not interior, not residential)
  • Property owner must maintain at least 10% equity in the property after the improvement
Provinces
Industries
Retail Services All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $50,000 (50% of costs), 0% interest; partly forgivable in designated CIPAs
Type
Forgivable Loan
Level
Municipal
Financing share
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing — subject to budget availability

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to secure London Façade Improvement Loan

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How to qualify

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

The forgivable portion varies by which CIPA zone the property falls in — some areas offer higher forgivable percentages.

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Rejection Pitfalls 6

  • Façade work commenced before pre-approval was issued
+5 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Confirm CIPA boundary and forgivability zone Contact London Economic Development to verify your property is within an approved CIPA and to confirm whether your zone qualifies for a forgivable portion. Request the current program guide for your specific CIPA.

Required Documents 7

Completed CIP application form
Proof of property ownership or commercial lease in an eligible CIPA

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 6

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How London Façade Improvement Loan Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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