Social Housing FAQs
If your question isn't
answered here please write to us at
housing@london.ca and we will respond promptly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If I owe arrears to a previous social housing provider or LMHC, will I still be
qualified for rent-geared-to-income housing?
If you owe any arrears (including money for damages) to a social housing
provider and/or LMHC, you should arrange to repay it with that landlord. You
must have a signed repayment agreement in place in order to be placed on the
Waitlist. It is important that your repayment agreement remains in good
standing; if you default on your payments, your name will be removed from the
Waitlist and you would lose your application date. It is important to remember
that you will not be offered Rent-Geared-to-Income-Housing until the entire
arrears amount is paid in full.
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.
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.
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.