London considers expanding program eligibility so more low-income seniors have air conditioners

Open window during a recent heat wave (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)

There may soon be help for more low-income seniors who cannot afford a window-mounted air conditioner.

The Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee unanimously supported a motion by Coun. Skylar Franke asking city staff to report back about expanding eligibility for low-income seniors who don’t qualify for a government subsidy that covers the cost of an air conditioner.

Discretionary benefits through Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) provide funding towards the purchase of an air conditioner for people at the very lowest income level, below what’s called the Low Income Cut Off (LICO).

However, many low income seniors earn slightly more than the LICO threshold.

“Seniors who are on OAS (Old Age Security) or CPP (Canada Pension Plan) might receive just above the low-income cutoff, and therefore not qualify,” explained Franke. “But they also don’t really have enough money to be able to invest in an air conditioning unit.”

In 2025, there were 258 AC units approved by city staff through the existing OW and ODSP programs at a total cost of $93,000.

Mayor Josh Morgan added an amendment to Franke’s motion, recommending city hall lobby the senior levels of government to cover the additional cost of expanding eligibility to more seniors.

Coun. Sam Trosow said many of the low-income seniors still requiring AC units are living in London’s public housing.

Trosow suggested that he will bring a motion to next week’s council meeting requiring London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH) and other municipal housing providers ensure their senior tenants have air conditioners.

“Why don’t we just mandate that at least the rental units that we control, through our service manager and through our contracts, provide this level of decency to our tenants?” he asked.

If council approves her motion on July 21, Franke would like city staff to report back to council by the first quarter of 2027, so there’s enough time to launch the expanded eligibility program before next summer.

The staff report would include:

• Program design options, eligibility criteria and key performance indicators to measure the program’s impact
• Cost estimates and potential funding sources, including external partnerships
• Consultation with relevant community organizations including Middlesex-London Health Unit, LifeSpin, the Housing Stability Bank, ACORN, and other.