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Community housing eligibility

Before you apply, review the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

Income and asset limits

The province of Ontario requires limits on how much you own and how much you earn. These are called asset limits and household income limits. The asset limits in Niagara are $50,000 for a one-person household and $75,000 for a household with two or more members.

The income limits are shown in the table and are updated each year. Your household income must be below these limits to qualify for rent-geared-to-income (subsidized) housing.

Unit size Maximum annual household income
Bachelor $41,500
One bedroom $56,000
Two bedrooms $65,500
Three bedrooms $71,000
Four or more bedrooms $83,500

Basic eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be able to live independently. This means you can take care of most daily activities on your own or with help from support services or programs.
  • Declare all household income
  • Have at least one household member who is 16 years of age or older

All household members must:

  • Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or refugee claimants
  • Not be convicted of an offence related to rent-geared-to-income assistance in the last two years
  • Not have an enforceable removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to leave Canada
  • Not owe money to a social housing provider in Ontario or have an agreement to repay this money

Special circumstances

You don't need income to apply for housing.

However, once you’re housed, you need to pursue income from one or more of the following sources:

  • Old Age Security
  • Ontario Works
  • Support payments, child support or Employment Insurance
  • Support payments required under a sponsorship agreement

If you don't pursue income, you may lose your rent-geared-to-income assistance and your rent will increase to market rent.

If you own a home that can be used all year, you're eligible to apply. However, you must sell your home within six months of being housed.

You must be at least 55 years old to apply for a unit in a seniors building.

At least one member listed on your application must have reached the age of 55 to be placed on a senior building wait list.

Important: Community housing is not emergency housing and cannot house people immediately. If you need emergency shelter, call 211 for information about emergency housing resources.

Market rent units (non-subsidized)

Market rent units have rent with no subsidy.

Many housing providers in Niagara offer market rent units in addition to subsidized housing.

Market rent units don't have income limits. If you're interested in market rent units, you can apply using the same application process.

Ready to apply?

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can move forward with your application.

Before you apply, we recommend you:

  • Learn about the different types of affordable housing available
  • Gather Canadian birth certificates, immigration documents or status cards from Indigenous Services Canada for all members of your household
  • Set aside 30 minutes to complete your online application

Apply for community housing

Have a question?

Contact Housing Services