Rent Supplement Program
Purpose
The Rent Supplement Program:
- Provides affordable housing for lower income individuals and families through rent that is based on income
- Is delivered through community partnerships with private sector landlords
Description
In this program, Housing Services enters into agreements with private rental landlords for units to be rented to qualified applicants from the Affordable Housing Waiting List. Tenants pay 30% of their gross monthly income directly to the landlord and Housing Services subsidizes the difference up to the agreed market rent for the unit. For example, if the market rent is $700 per month and the tenant’s rent according to their income is $200, the rent supplement portion paid to the landlord on a monthly basis is $500.
If a landlord is interested in participating in this program, Housing Services staff will conduct a site visit and approve all prospective units to ensure they meet maintenance and property management standards. Private landlords interested in this program must submit a Rent Supplement Application Form (obtained from Housing Services, or available online.)
| Privacy Rights | Landlord/Tenant Relationshop |
|---|---|
| All information relating to rent supplement tenants that is provided to, collected or maintained by Housing Services is subject to the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Private rental landlords are expected to respect the privacy of the rent supplement tenants and the rights to privacy regarding their subsidy. | Tenants who move into rent supplement units sign a standard lease with the landlord of the private building. The normal landlord/tenant relationship exists. The landlord is responsible for such things as rent collection, maintenance, repairs and services that exist with all tenants in the building. The landlord and tenant relationship is governed by provincial legislation: The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, effective January 31, 2007. Call 1-888-332-3234 or visit https://tribunalsontario.ca/ltb/ for information. |
Responsibilities
Role of Tenant
- Tenants who require subsidized accommodation must apply to Housing Services and be placed on the Affordable Housing Waiting List
- Applicants will be offered rent supplement units and housed in chronological order
- Tenants must comply with applicable legislation (Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, Housing Services Act, 2011) and with the terms and conditions of their lease
- Tenants must provide Housing Services with income verification on an annual basis and whenever their household income changes
Role of Landlord
Before participating in the Rent Supplement Program, landlords should be aware of the following program details and requirements:
- Landlords must sign a rent supplement agreement with Housing Services
- Landlords must comply with all applicable legislation (Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, Housing Services Act, 2011, etc.) as well as the Rent Supplement Agreement
- Tenants who move into rent supplement units sign a standard lease with the landlord of the private building
- Landlords are responsible for such things as rent collection, unit maintenance, repairs and services
- Qualified applicants are referred to the landlord when a unit becomes available for landlord consideration
- Vacant rent supplement units are rented only to qualified applicants identified on the Affordable Housing Waiting List
- Rent supplement tenants are treated like all other tenants and their privacy and confidentiality respected
- Landlords provide Housing Services with copies of any increase in the market rent for a rent supplement unit at least ninety (90) days prior to the effective days
- Private sector landlords require approval from Housing Services to increase their market rents for the rent supplement units. Market rent increases must comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
Role of Housing Services
- Administers the program
- Pays the rent supplement for each unit to the Private Rental Landlord
- Fills the units with applicants from the Affordable Housing Waiting List, in chronological order
- Calculates the tenant’s RGI rent and the subsidy due to the landlord
- Provides program updates as required
Contact
For more information, call 905-980-6000 ext. 3932 or visit www.nrh.ca
If you have questions about the application process, contact 905-980-6000 ext. 3929 (if your last name starts with A-F), ext. 3901 (if your last name starts with G-M) or ext. 3904 (if your last name starts with N-Z).