Social Housing Provider Program
Purpose
- Social housing providers (non-profit and co-operative) offer quality affordable housing to “rent-geared-to-income” tenants and market renters
- These communities are owned and operated on a not-for-profit basis by community-based boards
Description
Within the Niagara region, there are 53 non-profit and co-operative Housing Corporations, governed by Boards of Directors who are responsible for the ownership and management of their buildings. There are important differences between non-profit and co-operative corporations. The Board of Directors of a co-operative consists of residents who live in the building(s), whereas a non-profit may have tenants on the board but is generally made up of members of the broader community. There are also legislative differences, in that non-profits must comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and Corporations Act, and co-operatives must comply with the Co-operative Corporations Act.
Niagara Region Profile
By Provider Type
| # Corporations | # Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Co-operative | 26 | 1,552 |
| Non-profit | 27 | 1,721 |
| Total | 53 | 3,273 |
By Building Type
| # Units | |
|---|---|
| Apartment | 2,128 |
| Singles/Semi-detached | 140 |
| Townhouse | 1,105 |
| Total | 3,273 |
*includes both townhouse and apartment units
By Municipality
| Lincoln (Beamsville) |
Fort Erie | Grimsby | Niagara Falls | Niagara-on-the-Lake | Pelham | Port Colborne |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 354 | 0 | 743 | 0 | 0 | 109 |
| West Lincoln (Smithville) |
St. Catharines | Thorold | Wainfleet | Welland | Total | |
| 56 | 1,458 | 85 | 0 | 427 | 3,273 |
Role of Tenant/Member
- Households who require rent-geared-to-income accommodation must apply to Housing Services
- Households who can afford to pay the market rent/housing charge can apply directly to the social housing provider
- Must abide by the policies and bylaws of that social housing provider
- Must pay their rent/housing charge by the first of every month
- Must comply with applicable legislation i.e., Housing Services Act (HSA), 2011, Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), 2006
Role of Social Housing Provider
- Must comply with all applicable legislation (i.e., HSA 2011, RTA 2006, Co-operative Corporations Act, Corporations Act, Building Code, Fire Code), and Housing Services local policies
- Must establish policies and procedures to ensure effective management of their operations
- The social housing provider board has a fiduciary responsibility for the overall financial operations and must implement financial and management controls designed to preserve the provider’s assets
- Must fill RGI vacancies from Housing Service’s Centralized Waiting List in accordance with Housing Services local policies and established legislation
- Must report to Housing Services on an annual basis
Role of Housing Services
- Administers the Affordable Housing Program in Niagara
- Conducts regular operational reviews on all social housing providers to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, and to share best business practices
- Determines, calculates and approves subsidy payments to social housing providers
- Provides training, support and assistance to social housing provider boards and staff
- Conducts financial and other investigations
- Establishes local policies
- Develops and implements strategies to ensure social housing provider assets are maintained in the long term
Households living in non-profit and co-operative housing represent all segments of the community – seniors, families and individuals and people with physical or mental health challenges. Generally, 25% of the units are designated as market rent units. The remaining 75% of units are offered to households that pay a rent geared to their income. The rent-geared-to-income calculation is based on 30% of the household’s gross income plus parking (if applicable) and an adjustment for the cost of utilities.