Searching for Rent And Housing Assistance Programs

Explains different housing types and how to apply, and directs to other housing-related listings in this directory

• for emergency shelters see separate listing here

NONPROFIT HOUSING
Housing operated to fill a social need, not as a business

• may be owned by government, nonprofits or charities, co-operatives, etc.
• some is subsidized (reserved for people with low income), some is 'market rent' (open to people of any income)
• some is reserved for seniors or people with disabilities (may have supportive services, like meals, personal support, etc.)

How to find and apply to nonprofit housing:
For complete list see Halton Region website here

Details for each listing show how to apply, but in general:

• for most market-rent units, apply directly to individual housing provider
• for most (but not all) subsidized units, apply through HATCH (at Halton Region 905-825-6000, or see separate HATCH listing here)

Halton Housing Help: contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

• can help explain the housing system, how to search and apply

PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET
Housing that is privately owned, rented as a for-profit business

How to find private rental market housing:
Halton Housing Help: contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

• provides free help and support to tenants to find and keep rental housing
• posts listings of available housing (see here)

Rental listings can also be found in local newspapers, and on websites such as gottarent, viewit, Kijiji, etc.

YOUTH HOUSING
Bridging the Gap: for youth, ages 16 to 24, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

• call 905-635-0663 or see full listing here

Community Youth Programs: offers residential placement for youth, ages 15 to 18, not able to live with family but not ready for independent living

• call 905-845-9718 or see full listing here

Support House: offers a full range of supportive housing options for youth ages 16 and up with mental health and/or substance use issues

• call toll free 1-833-845-9355 or see full listing here

HELP TO PAY DEPOSITS OR RENT
Halton Region Housing Stability Fund: one-time assistance with basic housing expenses to help people maintain their housing

• call Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

VETS Canada: for Canadian veterans who are in crisis, at risk of becoming homeless, or are homeless

• call toll free 1-888-228-3871 ext 121 or see separate listing here

HELP TO PAY UTILITIES
See separate listings for Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance here

PROPERTY TAX REBATES AND DEFERRALS
Property Tax Rebate (for lower-income seniors or people with disabilities)

• see separate listings for Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills or contact your local municipal government

Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program (for lower-income seniors)

• call Halton Region at 905-825-6000 or see full listing here

LEGAL HELP FOR HOUSING
Halton Community Legal Services: provides free legal assistance to those with low income, for housing and landlord/tenant issues

• call 905-875-2069 or see full listing here

The fund's purpose is to help residents of Halton maintain their housing

• offers individuals and families one time assistance with basic housing expenses including last month's rent, rent and utility arrears, storage or moving costs and furniture
• call 311 or send an email and your information will be taken by a Customer Service Representative and a Integrated Housing Worker will contact you within 2-4 business days to further discuss your request

See Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance for further assistance options

Program allows older adult homeowners in Halton with low incomes to defer their full property taxes for as long as they remain eligible

• allows participants to focus their financial resources on their day-to-day needs, helping them to stay in their homes and improving their overall quality of life
• if you qualify, the deferral of your property taxes is interest-free

Senior/Older Adult rebate and tax deferral programs

• you may only take part in one of these programs
• for more information, please contact serviceoakville@oakville.ca

Senior's Property Tax Rebate Program

• tax rebate of $500 per year is available to property owners 65 years of age or older whose combined household income of all persons residing in their property is less than $32,442 in 2021 (reevaluated each year)
• to be eligible, no other parties other than the owner(s) and/or spouse can reside on the property, and the property must be a personal residence, as well as other restrictions
• Application for 2023 tax year will be available in July 2023

Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program (Halton Region)

• see here for more details

Older Adults/Disabled Year-Over-Year Property Tax Increase Deferral

• 65 or older, or are disabled, with a combined household income under $57,800
• may be eligible to defer any year over year increase to your property tax
• a lien will be registered against the property and the amount deferred will become payable upon the sale of the property
• an annual renewal application is required to remain in the program, as well as other restrictions
• more detailed information and application can be found here

• prescription drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• health benefits including medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation
• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

• referrals to job counselling, training programs, basic education
• access to telephones, faxes, computers and job banks
• for more information contact caseworker or access additional supports by booking an appointment with closest Employment Ontario office

• short and long-term counselling and case management for individuals with mental health and substance use issues
• grants and financial support individuals experiencing housing issues
• mobile outreach for people living on the streets or who are under-housed and have mental health and addiction issues
• court support, and pre-charge diversion program (Caledon)
• system navigation and case management for seniors experiencing neglect and abuse

Tax Rebate
Low Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate

• City of Burlington property tax rebate of $ 550 for eligible seniors (see "Eligibility" below)
• application deadline December 31 each year
• contact tax section or see website for more information and application form

Tax Deferrals
Note: using a tax deferral will make homeowner ineligible for tax rebate, and may have impact on other tax credits

Low-Income Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Increase Deferral

• a Region of Halton program, administered by the four local municipalities, for low income seniors and low income persons with disabilities (see "Eligibility" below)
• allows eligible homeowners to defer property tax increases to keep payments at a constant level as long as the property is their principal residence
• accumulated total of all deferred amounts is paid when property is sold or no longer the applicant's principal residence
• application must be made annually, on or before 45 days after the mailing of the final property tax bill, which normally occurs in early June
• contact tax section or see website for more information and application form

Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program

• defers the full amount of property taxes for older adults under a certain income
• deferral is interest-free
• for more details, see full listing here

• complete housing screening tool to be placed on centralized housing waitlist
• eligibility information available online, including unit size and gross household income
• visit website for appeals information and request form, fax completed eligibility decision appeals to Service Manager at 905-453-0168, or send to Service Manager Appeals, 10 Centre Dr, Suite B, PO Box 2800, STN B, Brampton L6T 0E7

• prescription drug coverage under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• health benefits including medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation
• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials

• referrals to job counselling, training programs, basic education
• access to telephones, faxes, computers and job banks
• for more information contact caseworker or access additional supports by booking appointment with closest Employment Ontario office

The Rent Ready program provides financial support for utility and rent costs to people in Hamilton who have a low income or who receive support through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.

Rent Ready is NOT a mandatory benefit.

• last month's rent
• rent arrears
• utility arrears
• appliances and mattresses
• bed bug prevention
• moving costs

• preventative action to help those at risk of homelessness
• individualized plans for those struggling to attain a long-term residence

• prevention assistance supports households in preserving their current housing situation
• diversion support assists adults and families in finding housing outside of shelter
• prevention and diversion services help stabilize current situations while assisting with a permanent housing solution

• assess needs of individuals and families through a standardized assessment tool
• assist with aquiring suitable housing
• identify intervention recommendations
• supports their transition to a case manager

• previously known as the Warming Centre
• provides coffee, shower, and overnight shelter
• accommodates up to 27 people on a first-come, first-served basis
• supported by Diversion team, Housing Stability Outreach and Housing Focused Outreach

• individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health issues and / or addiction
• Mon-Sun, 24/7 support services

• supports approximately 40 people who are experiencing homelessness
• Stepping Stone works in collaboration with community organizations to deliver mental health, addiction, and medical support to individuals staying at the shelter
• focus is to provide access to food, showers, nursing, harm reduction, and court support
• individuals have their own rooms, common space, etc.
• support team (shelter support and housing stability staff), on site 24/7 to support residents and help them achieve their housing goals

• supports a caseload of individuals and families who have completed the common assessment tools
• a recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness
• quick movement from homelessness into independent and permanent housing
• provide additional supports and services as needed

• provides coffee, shower, and overnight shelter
• accommodates up to 27 people on a first-come, first-served basis
• supported by Diversion team, Housing Stability Outreach and Housing Focused Outreach

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• 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

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

• caseworkers work closely with participants to develop individualized action plans that address unique needs
• participants guided through each stage and encouraged to stay on track
• employment benefits to assist clients in finding and starting a job

• basic educational upgrading
• English as a second language training
• job specific skills training
• job search assistance (resumé writing, interview preparation)
• access to volunteer and employment placements

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - for young parents, ages 16-25 years
• Self-Employment - training and supports to operate a business; delivered in partnership with Business Centre Guelph-Wellington
• Life Skills Case Management - intensive support for those who are experiencing issues related to addictions or mental health
• services for empoyers

1. Wellington Affordable Homeownership Down Payment Loan Fund, and
2. Ontario Renovates

Offers a property tax credit to older adults who own residential property in Hamilton.

• housing counselling
• information and referral
• matches tenants with landlords, eviction prevention, landlord outreach and recruitment, housing listings

• must have legal status in Canada and meet income requirements
• clients of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program may be eligible
• landlord and tenant mediation
• money management advice
• follow-up search assistance and community referrals
• also interest-free loans for first and last month's rent deposit to move into more affordable housing

• also for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support
• for help with Enbridge gas bills call 1-855-487-5327

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• 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

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

• provides money for food, shelter, and other household costs
• coverage for prescription medications under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program
• help with health costs and employment related expenses
• visit www.toronto.ca/ontarioworks for list of benefits

• discretionary benefits may include dentures, emergency dental services, eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, funerals and burials
• some benefits may be available to only those receiving social assistance, visit website for more information

• Employment centres - walk-in job search centres
• Training Programs - programs to assist clients prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement
• Employer Hotline 416-397-JOBS (5627) --for employers to post jobs
• 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

• Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) -- helps young parents 16-25 finish high school, improve parenting skills, locate and maintain employment
• help in pursuing child or spousal support

• housing counselling
• information and referral
• matches tenants with landlords, eviction prevention, landlord outreach and recruitment, housing listings
• voluntary trusteeship service
• street outreach to persons who are homeless, Streets to Homes follow up support for clients who have been placed in housing

• must have legal status in Canada and meet income requirements
• clients of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program may be eligible
• landlord and tenant mediation
• money management advice
• follow-up search assistance and community referrals
• also interest-free loans for first and last month's rent deposit to move into more affordable housing

• also for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support
• for help with Enbridge gas bills call 1-855-487-5327