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For frequently asked questions about Domiciliary Hostels, please visit the Family and Children's Services FAQs page.
For frequently asked questions about Emergency Shelters, Transition Homes or Homemakers and Nurses Services, please visit the Social Assistance FAQs page.
Social Housing / Rent Geared-to-Income Assistance (RGI)
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What is rent geared-to-income assistance?
Rent geared-to-income (RGI) assistance is also known as subsidized housing. RGI assistance is for eligible households who do not have enough income and/or assets to pay market rent.
RGI assistance means paying a rent amount based on approximately 30% of your household gross income. (Gross means before taxes, etc. are deducted)
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- Who can apply?
You can apply if:
• you are at least 16 years old
• all members of your household are legal residents of Canada or refugee claimants
• no household member owes money to any social housing provider
• no household member is under a deportation, departure or exclusion order to leave Canada
• no household member has been convicted of an offence related to rent geared-to-income assistance
• no household member has been found by a court of law or the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal to have misrepresented their income for the purpose of rent geared-to-income assistance
You must provide documentation clearly indicating your legal right to be in Canada.
This may include, but is not limited to:
• a copy of your Canadian birth certificate
• landed immigrant papers, permanent resident card
• documents supporting your claim for refugee status
When it is close to the time when you will be offered housing you must be able to live independently, with or without support services.
An individual is considered to be able to live independently if he or she is able to perform the normal essential activities of day-to-day living; or can do so with the aid of support services and demonstrates that those support services will be provided when they are required. The applicant must arrange support services.
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- I own my own home. Can I still apply?
You can apply, but if your residential property can be used all year, you must sell it within 6 months of accepting RGI housing. The value of your home will be considered when your rent is calculated.
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- I do not have an income. Am I eligible for social housing?
Yes, but you may have to pursue income from one or
more of the following sources:
• Ontario Works
• Support payments
• Employment Insurance
• Canada or Quebec pension, Old Age Security
• Any pension or support payments required under a sponsorship agreement
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- What is Co-op Housing?
Living in a co-op means you are a member of the corporation that owns and manages the housing complex. Co-op members are involved in running the co-op, and also share the responsibility in the maintenance of the buildings, on a voluntary basis.
Each co-op has a membership committee that is responsible for the selection of new members. It may be necessary for you to attend an orientation session. You must also take part in the co-op's interview process in order to be considered for membership.
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- What is Non-profit Housing?
Non-profit housing is owned and managed by community based organizations. Many non-profits were founded by faith groups or service clubs. They have independent boards of directors. The Regional Municipality of York's housing company, Housing York Inc., manages its own portfolio of non-profit housing units.
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- How long will it take for me to be offered a unit?
The amount of time before a unit becomes available can vary depending on the locations you choose. For more information, call (905) 830-4444 extension 2499 or 1-877-464-9675 extension 2499 and ask to speak with an Applicant Service Representative.
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- Can I choose where I want to live?
Yes. When you apply for housing, you will be asked where you want to live. You can choose one or many locations. Your name will be added to the waiting list for each location where you are eligible.
It is important to remember that you only have three refusals and after that you will no longer be eligible. Therefore, select only the areas where you would like to live.
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- Do I get to pick how many bedrooms I want?
You can specify how many bedrooms you want. But you must keep in mind that the number of bedrooms is determined by the occupancy standards that apply to your household size. For example, a single parent with one child would typically be eligible for two bedrooms.
The Regional Municipality of York will confirm the size of unit you are eligible for at the time of application or selection.
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- Seniors Accommodation
Applicants are eligible for seniors housing if at least one member of the household is 60 years old or older.
Applicants are eligible to be added to a waiting list of a seniors building if at least one member of the household is 58 years old or older.
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- How will I be notified about the status of my application?
We will write to you to confirm if your application is complete and if you are eligible. If your application is not complete, or you are not eligible for RGI assistance, it will also be explained in the written notice.
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- What should I do if information or my situation changes after I submit my application?
If your address or phone number change, contact the Housing Access Unit right away at (905) 830-4444 extension 2499 or 1-877-464-9675 extension 2499. A housing provider can not offer you housing if they do not have your current contact information. Every year the Housing Access Unit will send you an application update form. You must complete and return this form to stay on the waiting list.
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- What happens while I am waiting for housing?
While you are waiting, you must keep your file up to date. We need to know if any of the information you provided in your application has changed. For example:
• you change your address or phone number
• you want to live in locations other than those you chose on your application
• the number of people in your household changes
• the contact person on your application changes
We will send you a letter to update your application at least once a year. Your name will be removed from the waiting list if we cannot contact you.
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- How many times can I turn down an offer?
You can turn down an offer of a unit twice without losing your place on the waiting list. After the third refusal, you will no longer be eligible for rent geared-to-income housing and will be removed from the waiting list. You may reapply, but you will have to start over at the bottom of the waiting list.
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- How are people chosen for housing?
Households are considered for housing in order of their application date. The buildings you select are independently owned and managed, and are called "housing providers". As vacancies occur, each housing provider selects applicants from a waiting list provided by York Region. Special priority may be given to your application if you are living with someone who threatens your safety or the safety of other household members.
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- How will I be contacted for an offer?
Housing providers require a daytime telephone number so they can call you when a unit becomes available. If you cannot be reached during the day, it would be helpful if you gave us a telephone number of a contact person who can be reached during the day so they can pass on the message to you.
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- How much rent can I expect to pay?
Rent geared-to-income is based on 30% of your gross monthly income. Additional charges may apply depending on the building (e.g. parking).
If you are receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, your rent is based on a pre-determined rent scale.
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- What if I want a market rent unit?
Housing providers who have market units usually keep a separate waiting list for these units. If you are interested in obtaining a market unit, please contact the housing provider directly. Click here for information on Market Rent Housing.
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- What if I need a special type of unit?
Some housing providers have modified units (e.g. wider doorways, lower counters) or units where support services are provided. If you are interested in obtaining a special needs or modified unit, please let your Applicant Service Representative know about your special needs.
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- Household abuse/violence status
Special priority on the waiting list(s) is provided to people either suffering from or at risk of family violence.
To apply for this status, complete section 6 of the application form. The Housing Access Centre will send you the special priority request form you must complete to apply for priority. You will also receive an abuse verification form that must be completed by a qualified professional and be accompanied by a letter from the professional that explains your situation.
All information you provide is kept confidential.
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- What if I still have questions?
To receive more information about applying for rent geared-to-income assistance (subsidized housing) call (905) 830-4444 extension 2499 or 1-877-464-9675 extension 2499 and ask to speak with an Applicant Service Representative.
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- Agreements to share Personal Information
Personal Information on the application form and any attachments may be given to any government or body with whom The Regional Municipality of York has made an agreement under section 164 of the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 ("Act") without further notice to you if the:
• government or body administers, enforces or is conducting research related to a social benefit program or social housing or RGI assistance program
• information relates to the administration or enforcement of or research related to the Income Tax Act (Ontario), Income Tax Act (Canada), the Immigration Act or any other Acts that may be prescribed by regulations under the Act regarding such agreements
• government or body agrees to use the personal information for the above-stated purposes.
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