A federal program offering homeowners “green” grants to refit their property is under-subscribed by almost 60 percent, records show. The Department of Natural Resources acknowledged “challenges.”

“The Canada Greener Homes grant aims to support up to 700,000 homeowners with grants of up to $5,000 for retrofits,” the department wrote in an Inquiry Of Ministry tabled in the Commons. “The department is confident the program will reach this target.”

Only 287,198 homeowners have applied to date since the program was launched two years ago, about 41 percent of the target. Of those a total 59,350 received a grant. Figures were released at the request of New Democrat MP Taylor Bachrach (Skeena-Bulkley Valley, B.C.) who asked, “With regard to homeowner applications received by the Greener Homes program since its inception, what percentage of applications have been approved?”