Searching for Housing Expense Assistance

• 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

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

• continue living in their homes
• avoid job loss
• participate in their communities
  

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• rent-geared-to-income housing
• homeownership program
• ontario renovates program
• housing allowance and rental supplements
• emergency assistance
• shelter assistance

• Income Support (e.g. Ontario Works)
  
• Employment Services/Employment Resource Centres
  
• Children's Services
  
• Seniors Services
  
• Housing Services