Searching for Housing Expense Assistance
Located near London
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Reviews application and explains the different housing options that are available then forwards application directly to the housing provider selected * maintains a Common Waitlist System * housing providers have a variety of handicapped accessible units
Ontario Renovates Program - Program offers financial assistance for low to moderate income households to increase accessibility of their dwelling through minor modifications and adaptations * funding is limited * applications accepted on a first come, first served basis until funds are depleted
Social and recreational programs * independent living services based in Sarnia * summer camp offered in Geneva Park, Orillia
Assistive Devices Program - Assists adults with disabilities with funding for the purchase, repair, and maintenance of a wide variety of mobility or assistive devices such as wheelchairs and scooters
Home and Vehicle Modification Program - Financial assistance toward the cost of required home or vehicle modifications for eligible Ontario residents of any age who have a long-term physical disability
AccessAbility Advantage (A+) - accessible design expertise in the development or redesign of residential buildings, small businesses and organizations * offers document conversion, internal and external communications, policy development to meet accessibility standards
Employment Services - Employment services including assessments, training, job placement and on-the-job support to help people return to work
519-964-3663 ext 300
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Housing Stability Bank includes:
Rental Assistance Program - Interest-free loans to assist with rental arrears, first month's rent (ODSP recipients only) and/or last month's rent
Emergency Utility Assistance - Grants (until grant funds are exhausted annually) or interest-free loans to assist with utility arrears (gas, electricity or water)
- Effective Jan 1, 2017, to obtain an Emergency Utility Assistance Gas Arrears Grant through the Housing Stability Bank, applicants must first complete intake process conducted by the United Way of Greater Simcoe * final applications will be processed by the Housing Stability Bank
- To determine eligibility and complete intake application, call the United Way of Greater Simcoe toll free at 1-855-487-5327
- Once eligibility is determined, the Housing Stability Bank will contact eligible applicants to set up an appointment to begin processing their application at a Housing Stability Bank location
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) - Ongoing assistance applied directly as credit on the bills of eligible low-income electricity consumers/households * credit amount based on the number of people living in the home and total household income * consumers may apply online (OntarioElectricitySupport.ca), or with the assistance of Housing Stability Bank locations * contact the Housing Stability Bank for more information
MONEY COACH Services - One-to-one coaching regarding financial matters * includes budgeting, banking, direct deposits, credit and debt management, benefit entitlement, completing applications * call 519-964-3663 ext 340 or 341 to make an appointment
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Financial assistance available to eligible people and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless * assistance with hydro and rent arrears
Program sponsored by the Government of Ontario and administered by the County of Middlesex to address local priorities * people on Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), as well as low-income residents of Middlesex County may be eligible
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Basic Financial Assistance (Ontario Works) - Short term income assistance for the cost of shelter and basic needs including food and clothing * also offers limited Emergency Assistance and Discretionary Benefits
Burial Assistance - For eligible applicants, financial assistance for families unable to meet the cost of a funeral and burial * the county will agree to pay the funeral costs up to a predetermined maximum * any income from other sources (insurance policies, Canada Pension Plan Death Benefits and family contributions) will be taken into consideration for payment ahead of the county contribution * for more information, call 519-434-7321 ext 2236
Child Care Fee Subsidy - Financial assistance toward the cost of licensed child care * for more information, call 519-434-7321 ext 2289 or 2265
Emergency Energy Fund (EEF) - One-time emergency financial assistance towards electricity bills for people who are in jeopardy of disconnection of a utility service * applicant must currently have received a disconnection notice, or have been disconnected * fund available for families in Middlesex County not receiving other forms of social assistance * application form available on Middlesex County Social Services website
Employment Assistance - Supports to eligible Ontario Works clients to help become and stay employed, such as job search support, basic education, employment placement, skills training, community participation and participation in substance use recovery programs * financial assistance may be provided to clients to cover certain related expenses such as transportation, child care and clothing
Housing Assistance - Social Housing providers are located throughout London and Middlesex * each program offers different housing alternatives (nonprofit housing, cooperative housing, subsidy, rent supplement program and rent-geared-to-income programs * for more information, or to apply, visit the Housing Access Centre or call 519-661-0861
Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - Program for eligible Ontario Works clients * parents under the age of 18 must participate in the program to remain eligible for OW * parents between the ages of 18 to 25 may voluntarily participate * completion of LEAP requirements entitles participant to $500 bursary, to be applied to post-secondary education, or may be saved for their children
Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) - Financial assistance available to eligible people and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless * assistance with hydro and rent arrears
By reducing or eliminating life safety risks, these modifications enable children and adults with mobility restrictions to:
- continue living in their homes
- avoid job loss
- participate in their communities
Monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income * monthly drug benefit card
Other services include:
- Community Start-Up Benefit - Help with housing or moving costs * covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
- Employment Start-Up Benefit - Covers costs related to starting a job or work placement
- Families with Children - Newborn child allowance, back to school allowance for dependent children, child care start-up costs, basic dental care for children
- Employment Assistance - Clients 18-65 years must participate in employment assistance activities unless they are living with a serious disability or illness or caring for preschool children
- Community Participation - Volunteer placements
- Job Search Programs - Based on skills, experience and circumstances
- Employment Placement - Job matching service
- Basic Education - Basic adult upgrading, high school upgrading, literacy and basic skills
- Job Skills Training - Development of skills for specific jobs, on-the-job training
- Supports to Self-Employment - Referrals to self-employment programs
- Discretionary Benefits - May include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, special diet allowance, health care supplies, medical transportation funds, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
Programs may vary by city or municipality and may be available to non-Ontario Works recipients upon income assessment
Administers housing assistance programs, including assistance with utility costs
Programs include:
Housing Links for People (HeLP) Program - assistance with rental arrears, utility arrears, temporary housing, assistance with moving costs, emergency assistance with daily living costs and other forms of assistance to prevent homelessness
Housing Allowance Program - subsidies to tenants with private landlords to reduce tenant rent to affordable levels
Home Repair Program - financial assistance to low-income homeowners facing necessary repairs
Affordable Homeownership Program - financial assistance with down payment for first time home buyers
Low Income Energy Assistance Program - assistance with hydro arrears in St Thomas
Union Gas Emergency Assistance Program - Interest-free loan/grant program * people may be eligible if utilities, including gas, water or electricity, are going to be disconnected or already have been disconnected
Oxford County Child Care Registry and Waitlist: Click Here
County of Oxford Housing Application System: Click Here
Accessibility Advisory Committee
A committee that focuses on creating a society that is open to all, including persons with disabilities.
Affordable Home Ownership Program
The program provides financial assistance to qualified low-to-moderate income households. Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis, in the form of a 20-year interest-free loan registered on title and up to 5% of the purchase price of an eligible home (current maximum purchase price is $425,000).
My Second Unit Program
Oxford County's My Second Unit helps homeowners plan and finance a secondary, self-contained dwelling unit in their home with an interest-free, forgivable loan of up to $30,000.
- food security (e.g. grocery gift card, baby food, etc.);
- transportation (e.g. gas gift card, taxi voucher, bus ticket, medical transportation, etc.);
- basic needs (e.g. clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, footwear, etc.) including delivery of items;
- employment readiness (e.g. professional clothing, professional development opportunities, workshops, training certificate, etc.);
- social integration (e.g. access to a cellphone or phone cards, computer rentals, etc.);
- health and wellness (e.g. medication, emergency dental, eyeglasses, etc.);
- housing start-up costs (e.g. furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, mattress, etc.);
- child care;
- family supports (e.g. parenting courses, educational resources and supplies for children/youth);
- personal Identification (e.g. birth certificate, health card, SIN, driver's license);
- student assistance for elementary and high school students (books, supplies, registration / application fees); and/or,
- mental health supports;
- income tax filing costs;
- utilities
Oxford County Child Care Registry and Waitlist: Click Here
County of Oxford Housing Application System: Click Here
Accessibility Advisory Committee
A committee that focuses on creating a society that is open to all, including persons with disabilities.
Affordable Home Ownership Program
The program provides financial assistance to qualified low-to-moderate income households. Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis, in the form of a 20-year interest-free loan registered on title and up to 5% of the purchase price of an eligible home (current maximum purchase price is $425,000).
My Second Unit Program
Oxford County's My Second Unit helps homeowners plan and finance a secondary, self-contained dwelling unit in their home with an interest-free, forgivable loan of up to $30,000.
Oxford County Child Care Registry and Waitlist: Click Here
County of Oxford Housing Application System: Click Here
Accessibility Advisory Committee
A committee that focuses on creating a society that is open to all, including persons with disabilities.
Affordable Home Ownership Program
The program provides financial assistance to qualified low-to-moderate income households. Funding is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis, in the form of a 20-year interest-free loan registered on title and up to 5% of the purchase price of an eligible home (current maximum purchase price is $425,000).
My Second Unit Program
Oxford County's My Second Unit helps homeowners plan and finance a secondary, self-contained dwelling unit in their home with an interest-free, forgivable loan of up to $30,000.
Office: 519-271-3773 Ext 200
Visit Website
The Housing Access Centre is a part of the City of Stratford Housing Division and is responsible for managing the Coordinated Access Centralized Wait List for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance. Units are available in the communities of Atwood, Listowel, Milverton, Mitchell, St. Marys, and Stratford.
Applicants may select from building selections in public housing, social housing (non-profit and co-ops), as well as rent subsidized units in privately owned buildings under the Rent Supplement program.
Centrally located out of the Social Services office, services include:
• Answers to questions about community housing in Stratford, Perth County and St. Marys
• Processing new applications for subsidized (rent-geared-to-income) housing
• Determine eligibility for RGI assistance according to the Housing Services Act, 2011
• Update applications for subsidized housing with required information changes
• Manage and maintain a Centralized Waiting List for Social Housing Providers within Perth Stratford
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Monthly benefit payment to help eligible households pay their rent. Benefit payments are:
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Office: 519-271-3773 Ext 200
Low-income Energy Support Program (LEAP) - click here. If behind on electricity or natural gas bill or face having service disconnected, may qualify for emergency financial help through LEAP. Please note for Festival Hydro customers this does not cover water or sewage fees and support is available from the City of Stratford Social Services, 519-271-3773 Ext 200. |
- food security (e.g. grocery gift card, baby food, etc.);
- transportation (e.g. gas gift card, taxi voucher, bus ticket, medical transportation, etc.);
- basic needs (e.g. clothing, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies, footwear, etc.) including delivery of items;
- employment readiness (e.g. professional clothing, professional development opportunities, workshops, training certificate, etc.);
- social integration (e.g. access to a cellphone or phone cards, computer rentals, etc.);
- health and wellness (e.g. medication, emergency dental, eyeglasses, etc.);
- housing start-up costs (e.g. furniture, kitchen supplies, bedding, mattress, etc.);
- child care;
- family supports (e.g. parenting courses, educational resources and supplies for children/youth);
- personal Identification (e.g. birth certificate, health card, SIN, driver's license);
- student assistance for elementary and high school students (books, supplies, registration / application fees); and/or,
- mental health supports;
- income tax filing costs;
- utilities
Eligible repairs under the program may include roofs, windows, furnaces, ramps, handrails, chair and bath lifts, height adjustments to countertop and other similar repairs.
- Hydro, Gas, Water and Sewer Arrears
- Rental Arrears
- Emergency dental
- Emergency transportation
- Eyeglasses
- Hearing Aids
- Layettes and baby supplies
- Limited assistance with prosthetic items
- Other healthcare items
Services offered:
- rent-geared-to-income housing
- homeownership program
- ontario renovates program
- housing allowance and rental supplements
- emergency assistance
- shelter assistance
Fax: 519-883-2234
Toll Free: 519-575-4608
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- Income Support (e.g. Ontario Works)
- Employment Services/Employment Resource Centres
- Children's Services
- Seniors Services
- Housing Services