What
are the Social Housing Choices?
Social Housing providers are located throughout the City of London
and the County of Middlesex. There are four types of assisted
housing: Co-operative housing, Non-profit housing, Public housing
and Rent Supplement housing. TOP
Does the
Housing Division help with private market rentals?
No, most private rental housing in the City of London and County of
Middlesex is provided by private landlords. Your best source of
information on available rental accommodation is the classified
advertisement section of local newspapers or the Yellow Pages in the
local telephone directory. TOP
Is the
Housing Division a tribunal for landlords and tenants issues?
No, any issues with respect to residential landlords and tenants rights and obligations are
part of the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, a Provincial agency.
The Tribunal has a team of Mediators, who work with landlords and
tenants to resolve certain types of disputes through mutual
agreement. Call the Tribunal’s toll free telephone information
service at 1-888-332-3234. TOP
Where do I
apply for assisted housing?
Applications are currently taken for the London Middlesex Housing
Corporation units, Non-Profits and Co-operatives at the Housing
Access Centre at 379 Dundas Street, Suite 116 (519-661-0861). The
Housing Access Centre maintains the centralized waiting list
on behalf of the Housing Providers. TOP
How do I
apply for assisted housing?
Complete an application for rent-geared-to-income housing and
include supporting documents such as: proof of permanent residency
in Canada (immigration/refugee papers, birth certificate,
citizenship card, Canadian passport, etc) and proof of income
including government monies (GICs, employment pay stubs, OSAP, etc). TOP
Who do I
notify if I have changes to my information?
You MUST notify the Housing Access Centre (HAC) (519-661-0861). You are
responsible to notify HAC of any changes such as your address, phone
number, and change in selection of locations other than those you
chose on your initial application, the number of people in your household
changes and the contact person on your application changes in order
to maintain your eligibility status. TOP
How many
offers do I get?
You get three housing offers. However, you have the choice of
turning down two offers if you are not happy with the
unit or location but if you turn down the 3rd offer your file will
be cancelled and you will be removed from the waitlist and would be
required to fill out another application and you will receive a new
start date. TOP
How long does
it take to be housed?
It is very difficult to determine how long it will take to be
housed. The length of time to be housed takes into consideration
your income level, the housing selection(s) you made, the turnover
rate of the Housing Providers you choose, and the status you are given at
the time your application has been reviewed/approved i.e. if you are
homeless, or fleeing an abusive situation.
NOTE: Anyone claiming any of the situation(s) must have document(s) from someone in a professional position written on their
organization/company letterhead supporting the request). TOP
Why does it
take so long to get housed?
A Housing Provider must have a vacant unit in order
for it to be filled from the waitlist. It is difficult to predict
when a vacancy is going to occur. In addition, the wait list has
many households looking for housing. TOP
How long is
the waiting list?
There is really no answer to this question, since each housing
provider has their own waitlist and there is a different waitlist
for each building/townhouse and then a different waitlist according
to bedroom size. TOP
Will I be
required to sign a lease?
Yes. For a tenant of the London and Middlesex Housing Corporation
and Private Non-profit you are required to sign a lease; as a
Co-operative member you are required to sign an occupancy agreement. TOP
If I have no
income, what proof is required?
You can inquire about basic financial assistance under the Ontario
Works, child support, benefits from Employment Insurance, and any person
who is 65 year of age or older can inquire about receiving Old Age Security,
Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension, support from
immigration sponsorship. You will have 30 days to provide proof that
you attempted to obtain one of these sources of income. Failure to
do so will result in loss of your subsidy and the rent would increase to
market. TOP
If I pay
market rent and my income is reduced will, my rent be adjusted?
A household currently housed, as market rent, which is on the
centralized waiting list for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance,
will receive that assistance when its application reaches the top of
the Housing Provider's list. If a household's preference is to
remain in its current location and is not on the centralized waiting
list as per O. Reg. 339/01, Section 12 (2) and the household becomes
eligible for RGI assistance, the ranking date for this new
application is the original date that the household occupied the
market rent unit with the Housing Provider. TOP
What happens
if my income increases while on RGI assistance?
Your rent will increase and you may begin to pay market rent because
of an increase in income. After twelve (12) consecutive months of
paying maximum (market) rent the household is no longer a
rent-geared-to-income household and becomes a market rent household. TOP
Are
appliances and parking included in my rent?
In some housing projects, appliances and services are included. In
other accommodations tenants must supply appliances and pay for some
or all services - it varies by property. TOP
Is there any
special priority that would enable me to obtain housing sooner?
There are four categories on our waiting list:
1. Special Priority - this status on the waiting list is
reserved for individuals who are victims of domestic abuse by another
individual or whose personal safety is significantly at risk
2. Urgent - this status on the waitlist is reserved for individuals
who are homeless or in the risk of homelessness, serious medical, health,
and/or social needs which would result in severe hardship or personal risk,
individuals who use the emergency shelter system,
families separated due to lack of affordable housing. However, the
income must be in the high need category
3. High Need - this status on the waitlist is reserved for
individuals whose annual income is less than or equal to the amount
set in Legislation for the size of unit the household occupies
4. Chronological - this status on the waitlist is reserved
for individuals who qualify for RGI housing. Income
exceeds the maximum high need income, but is still within the
Household Income Limits established for the City of London and Middlesex
county. TOP
How do I get
assigned Special Priority?
To get assigned Special Priority, which is for victims of family
violence, you must have supporting information for verification
purposes. This information may be attached to your housing
application form for RGI assistance or submitted separately.
However, providing this information does not guarantee the special
priority status. TOP
Can I appeal
any decision made by HAC regarding my application?
Yes, you have the right to appeal any decision made by the Housing
Access Centre by simply submitting a detailed letter to the manager
with any new information and stating the reason why you feel the
decision should be reviewed. A letter responding to your appeal will
be sent to you once a decision has been made. TOP
How much will my
rent be with RGI Housing?
There are numerous ways to calculate rent, depending on the source of
income. In general, rent is established by calculating 30% of the adjusted
family income for the month or by applying a rent scale. The Housing
Provider (not the Housing Access Centre) will calculate your rent as part of
the initial housing offer process. TOP
Does Social Housing accept applications for a two bedroom unit based on
equipment needs?
Sometimes a two bedroom unit is provided to applicants that qualify for a
one bedroom ONLY if they have extra equipment. A two bedroom unit is
not usually provided to an applicant with a scooter or wheelchair but for someone
that has an electric wheelchair, a
regular wheelchair, and a racing wheelchair for sports. Another
example is someone who is
diabetic and is going to start home dialysis as soon as they are housed and they need the extra room for
the dialysis machine and all the supplies that go
with it. TOP
The maximum household income limit to qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income
Assistance in the City of London is: Bachelor-$20,500.00,
1-Bedroom-$26,500.00, 2-Bedroom -$32,000.00, 3-Bedroom-$39,000.00, and
4-Bedroom+-$47,500.00.
The maximum household income limit to qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income
Assistance in the County of Middlesex is: Bachelor-$19.000.00,
1-Bedroom-$24,500.00, 2-Bedroom-$29,500.00, 3-Bedroom-$34,500.00,
4-Bedroom-$44,500.00. TOP
