P.E.I. home builders president raises concerns about new energy rebates

Martin Hilchie, president of the Canadian Home Builders Association on P.E.I. has some concerns about recently announced changes to the way the province provides money to people who want to make their homes more energy efficient.

Instead of offering grants upfront to eligible homeowners, the P.E.I. government says those people will now have to apply for a rebate after the work is done.

Hilchiequestions how many people will be helped under the new rules.

"When I first heard it, any experience that I had with this program, the people that were applying to have the work done, could not afford to come up with the moneyupfront," said Hilchie. "And I'm really concerned that this new change will bring an end to this program for the people that need it most."

Hilchiesaid hethinks many of the people who would qualify for the program don't have the means to get a loan or to re-mortgage their property to get the money in advance.

The presidentsaid hebelieves the number of people who will be able to take advantageof the provincial helpwill be reduced.

Hilchienotedthe association will discuss the change at its next board meeting to determine how it wants to proceed.

He saidit may take a while for the full impact of the program change to felt by clients.