Housing Allowance Program

Rent support programs help eligible households with housing costs.

Applicants cannot apply directly to the Housing Allowance Program. Those on the wait list will be contacted by Housing Services and offered a subsidy based on program guidelines, available funding and space.

Recipients must follow program rules to keep getting assistance. This includes submitting required documents and reporting household changes.

The Housing Allowance Program provides rent support to help with housing costs while waiting for a rent-geared-to-income unit. The amount depends on household income and the size of the unit they qualify for, up to the program maximum.

Housing Services provides the allowance directly to either the landlord (In-Situ Housing Allowance) or the tenant (Portable Housing Allowance), depending on available funding.

This program helps households with their monthly rent until they move into a permanent rent-geared-to-income unit or for a set period. If a household is offered a permanent rent-geared-to-income unit, the housing allowance will end.

If you receive a housing allowance, you must:

Tell Housing Services if anyone plans to move in or out of the household
Keep an active application on the wait list

Eligibility and requirements

To be eligible for the Housing Allowance Program, households must be on the wait list and not already receiving a rent-geared-to-income subsidy. Rental units must:

Be fully self-contained with sole-use kitchen (equipped with fridge and stove) and bathroom
Not be a shared accommodation
Have no one living in the unit related to the owner / landlord
Have a signed lease or formal rental agreement with the landlord that complies with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006. Hotel / motel rooms may not be eligible.
Be located in Niagara

Units within existing community housing providers, such as co-operative or non-profit housing corporations, may not be eligible. If you think the unit is with an existing community housing provider, call the housing access unit coordinator at 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215 ext. 3931.

Program types

In-Situ Housing Allowance (paid to the landlord): Only for the unit the tenant currently lives in. It cannot be transferred unless approved by Housing Services.
Portable Housing Allowance (paid to the tenant): Can be applied to the current unit or taken with the tenant if they move to a new unit. The tenant must notify Housing Services before moving.

Housing allowance payment calculation

The monthly subsidy depends on the household's income and the size of the unit they qualify for. If a household lives in a unit larger than they qualify for, they may still be eligible for a subsidy. However, the subsidy amount will be based on the appropriate unit size and not the actual unit size they occupy.

The maximum subsidies are:

Families: Up to $350 per month
Adults without dependents: Up to $300 per month

The subsidy does not cover the full difference between 30 per cent of the tenant's income and the full market rent.

Roles and responsibilities

Household / tenant
- Apply to Housing Services to be placed on the wait list
- Provide Housing Services with a copy of the current lease, most recent notice of rent increase or proof of rental amount and sign a Housing Allowance Agreement
- Comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, the terms of the Housing Allowance agreement and the lease
- Provide income verification to Housing Services annually or when household income / composition changes
- Maintain good standing on the wait list
- Inform Housing Services before moving and have the new unit approved for the Portable Housing Allowance
Landlord
- Keep rental units in good repair, fit for living and compliant with applicable building and fire codes
- Sign a Housing Allowance Landlord Agreement for the In-Situ Housing Allowance
- Comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and the Housing Allowance Landlord Agreement
- Enter into a lease with new tenants or have an existing agreement for current tenants
- Provide Housing Services with copies of all notices given to tenants for the In-Situ Housing Allowance
Housing Services
- Administer the Housing Allowance Program
- Offer eligible households the chance to join the program based on guidelines or in order from the wait list
- Pay the housing allowance to landlords (In-Situ Housing Allowance) or tenants (Portable Housing Allowance) each month
- Approve all new housing allowance units
- Give tenants a T5007 Statement of Benefits form each year for tax filing (Portable Housing Allowance)
- Verify household income every year to ensure it follows program guidelines

Changes to eligibility and program status

Income review and changes

If your income decreases significantly, Housing Services may perform an in-year review of your housing allowance amount.

If your income increases above the program limit, you will need to pay full market rent or give your landlord 60 days' notice if you plan to move.
Transition to permanent housing

Households may be housed in permanent rent-geared-to-income accommodation or alternate housing before their Housing Allowance agreement expires.

If a tenant is still in the unit when the agreement ends, they must pay the current market rent or give notice to vacate.
Application status and household changes

If the household keeps their application for permanent rent-geared-to-income housing in good standing, they will remain on the wait list until an offer is made.

If you're receiving a housing allowance and want to add someone to your household, they must apply with Housing Services and be approved to join your application on the wait list.
Failure to meet eligibility

If you no longer qualify for the program, for example, due to income changes or not keeping your application active on the wait list, you will need to pay full rent.

If you are living in a unit that does not meet program rules, you will have 30 days to move to an eligible one.
Voluntary removal or application cancellation

If you voluntarily remove yourself or give up your housing allowance, it will go to the next eligible applicant and may not be available again later.

If your application on the wait list is cancelled, your housing allowance will end and you will be responsible for the full rent. Choosing not to accept an offer for the Housing Allowance Program will not affect your position on the wait list for rent-geared-to-income housing.

Contact

For more information about the Housing Allowance Program, contact the rent supplement analyst at 905-980-6000 ext. 3955 or toll-free at 1-800-263-7215 ext. 3955.