No new grants for energy-saving renovations in Brussels

The Brussels region is no longer accepting new applications for "Renolution" grants - financial support for residents to put towards energy-saving renovations and investments.

The 2024 Renolution programme was closed following a decision from offices of Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort and climate minister Alain Maron, citing the impending end of the 2024 budget of €69 million.

The budget for renovation grants was also used up before the year was over in 2023, but the PS-Ecolo-Défi majority decided to replenish the coffers. This decision will now be taken by the future executive following negotiations to form a new regional government led by the MR party.

The Renolution programme brings together 42 grants worth up to a maximum of €50,000 per home, covering up to 90% of the cost of the work.

Many Brussels residents were taken by surprise by the announcement of the programme’s 2024 closure, as they had been counting on these bonuses to finance renovations and expected funds to last at least through summer.

New homeowner Julie Van Ooij told RTBF that without these grants, she does not know if she will be able to afford planned renovations.

“It would be nice to have a bit more security before starting them,” Van Ooij said, adding that authorities should have warned homeowners earlier.

The advice and support centre for private housing in the Brussels region has since been inundated with calls, reports Le Soir.

“There's a lot of uncertainty for us too,” housing support agent Louise Pigeolet said.

“We haven't been able to give the answers we would have liked. There should be a new scheme in 2025 that can apply to people who have a 2025 balance invoice, but we don't know what the new scheme will be in advance.”

The budget allocated for home renovation grants has risen from €22 million in 2019 to €69 million in 2024. During the 2019-2024 legislature, more than €250 million was earmarked for them.

The 2024 programme stopped accepting new applications last Friday.