What is subsidized housing?

Subsidized housing is when you get support with your rent from the government or a private organization.

Subsidized housing provides affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Rent is based on what you can afford, not on the size, location, or type of housing you live in.

Usually, the amount of rent you pay is determined by your income and is called rent-geared-to-income housing. Generally, you pay about 30% of your monthly income on rent, and the rest of the rent is subsidized by the rent program. This is called a subsidy.

If your subsidy is not determined by your income, it is called a rent supplement. A rent supplement is a monthly payment made directly to your landlord to help you pay for your rent. Some supplements are connected to the unit you live in, while others can be used for different rental units in Ontario. Contact your local service manager for program details and eligibility criteria.

Am I eligible for subsidized housing?

You need to meet certain conditions to be eligible for subsidized housing.

You are eligible for subsidized housing if:

Each member of your household has a valid immigration status in Canada;
at least one household member is 16 years or older;
You are a former social housing tenant, you must have paid any arrears (rent owed) in full, and have no convictions for misrepresenting your income or fraud for at least 2 years;
You own a home, you must sell the property within a certain timeframe and
You are disabled, you must be able to live independently or arrange for your own support unless the support is part of the services provided as part of your housing.

How can I apply for subsidized housing?

To apply for subsidized housing, you need to contact a coordinated access centre in your area. These centres provide information on non-profit, co-op, and public housing opportunities in your area.

Although each area has its own policies, some rules are the same across Ontario:

You will be asked to fill out an application, which must be signed by everyone in your household who is 16 or older.
There are waiting lists for subsidized housing across Ontario.
People who have been on the waiting list longer will be offered housing first. This is called first come, first served. However, in some regions, other situations may be given priority and not have to wait as long. Ask your coordinated access centre for details.
You can choose to apply to as many buildings as you like when they become available. The more you apply for, the sooner you will be offered a unit.

Choose the housing you really want to live in. If you are offered one of your choices but decide you don't want it, you can refuse it. Depending on your region’s rules, if you refuse the housing offer, you may be removed from the waitlist. If you are taken off all the waiting lists, you may not be offered another apartment.

Types of Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing can be a single room called a studio or bachelor unit, an apartment with one or more bedrooms, or a townhouse. The type of housing you can get depends on your family size.

Subsidies for housing are funded and managed in different ways:

Cooperative (co-op) housing is owned and managed by its residents. Co-ops receive government funding to provide subsidized housing to low-income residents. Some co-ops are for specific groups of people called 'mandates,' such as seniors, people with disabilities, or artists.
Non-profit housing can be private or municipal. Private non-profits are owned and managed by independent, community-based groups, such as religious or ethnocultural communities. Municipal non-profits are owned and operated by municipal governments. Over 100 municipalities in Ontario offer subsidized housing.
Local Housing Corporations are owned and managed by the local government body responsible for housing, social welfare and ambulance services. They are often called "public housing."

How long do I have to wait for subsidized housing?

There are waiting lists for subsidized housing across Ontario. In some areas, the wait is more than 10 years, while in other places, it is shorter.

Generally, you have to wait a long time, but some people, such as those experiencing abuse or terminal illnesses, may not have to wait as long.

For more information about subsidized housing, contact a community agency or housing help centre in your region.

For More Information

Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) - An association of private and municipal non-profit housing providers in Ontario. The ONPHA website explains what non-profit housing is, describes ONPHA services, and provides links to related organizations.
Find Your Local Service Manager - There are 47 service managers across Ontario that can help you find housing options in your area. Use this list to get contact information for your municipality or district.
Benefits Wayfinder - This bilingual one-stop portal from Prosper Canada lets you search for federal, provincial, and territorial benefits.