Rent-geared-to-income

Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance is financial assistance provided to eligible households under legislated eligibility requirements to reduce the amount the household must otherwise pay to occupy a unit in a housing project.

Rent-geared-to-income is based on 30% of a household’s gross monthly income, or if the household is receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, a social assistance rent scale is applied. Additional charges may apply depending on the project, i.e. utilities, parking, laundry, etc.

How do I apply for Rent-Geared-To-Income assistance?

You may obtain a standard application form for RGI assistance from the Housing Department or any Housing Provider. Please ensure that your application is complete. Read the instructions carefully and ensure that the application and consent to disclose information for verification purposes is signed by each member of your household listed in the application form who are 16 years of age or older. Submit your application form and supporting documents to the Housing Corporation or any Housing Provider.

Am I eligible for Rent-Geared-To-Income Assistance?

To be eligible for RGI housing you must meet the following criteria:

• Over the age of the 16 and the ability to live independently (at least one member of the household
• Legal residential status in Canada of each member of household (citizen, permanent resident, or refugee status)
• No deportation order, departure or exclusion order under the Immigration Act
• No member of household owes money as a result of either rent or damage of any social housing property
• No member has been convicted of misrepresentation of income in relation to RGI assistance under the Criminal Code by a Court of Law or Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal
• Household income must be under the established income limit by type of unit depending on your family composition
• If you own residential property, you have to sell it within 180 days after receiving RGI assistance.

What are my obligations as an applicant seeking Rent-Geared-To-Income Assistance?

As an applicant for RGI assistance, you are required to keep your file updated in order to be on the centralized waiting list and maintain your eligibility status file. It is your responsibility to notify Social Housing of any changes in information or documents you previously submitted to the Housing Provider. The minimum reporting time is twenty (20) business days.

You must notify housing of the following:

• Your address changes
• Your phone number
• Any information on your application that changes

Are there any special circumstances to be considered?

There is one category on the waiting list called “Special Priority”, which is assigned to victims of abuse.

How do I get assigned Special Priority?

You are required to complete a standard Request for Special Priority Application along with providing supporting information and documentation for verification purposes. This request may be attached to your housing application form for RGI assistance or submitted separately.

When will I get housed?

The waiting time will vary depending on the housing project location you choose. For some areas it may be less than a year before you are housed, in other areas it may take a few years.

How much will I pay in rent?

Generally, social housing tenants pay 30% of their gross monthly income as monthly rent. Depending on where you are housed you may pay part or all of the utilities. A utility allowance is applied to your geared-to-income rent.

Do you have emergency housing?

No, but a number of agencies in the area are able to assist in certain situations.

1. A Place Called Home (705) 328-0905
2. Victoria’s Women’s Shelter (705) 878-3662
3. The John Howard Society (705) 328-0427
4. Y.M.C.A. Women’s Centre (Minden) 705-286-1942
5. Haliburton Emergency Rural Safe Place: 1-800-461-7656 or 705-286-1942.

For information on services of these agencies, please call them direct.

What are the rules and procedures with respect to the transfer of households to a unit in a housing project operated by a different housing provider?

If a household who is currently occupying an RGI unit and wishes to relocate to another RGI unit in a housing project operated by a different housing provider within the Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton area, the household must submit a new application for the centralized waiting list. There is no backdating of this application.

REMEMBER

• All members of the household who are 16 years and older must sign the new application for a transfer
• The household is added to waiting list with the ranking date as the date of the request to be added to the waiting list