Searching for Rent And Housing Assistance Programs

Peterborough Social Services can help connect individuals with supports including Ontario Works, Child Care, Housing, Food and other community services.

• Staff member will screen individuals for all programs
• Offers community referrals
• Once application is granted, individuals are referred to a caseworker. Together a plan is created to find ways to move forward with personal goals
• Clients can access specific personal case file information and important program announcements by calling the provincial toll-free Interactive Voice Response number: 1-800-808-2268

See separate listings for other services and programs

Assists people living in the City and County of Peterborough to get or keep their housing. Help may be available for paying overdue bills, rent, and other housing-related costs.
Those with a low income and at risk of losing their housing may be eligible.
Some examples of eligible housing costs are:

• Heat, hydro or rent arrears
• Mortgage or tax arrears
• Last month's rent
• Beds, bed covers, mattresses and box springs
• Emergency home repairs
• Replacing or purchasing appliances
• Moving or storage costs

Provides assistance to resident through a range of services for housing related needs, including:

• help to maintain housing
• help to find housing
• help with financial assistance
• help for landlords
• help with support services
• help with emergency housing

The Shelter Benefit is available for anyone needing assistance with the following items who meet the eligibility criteria :

• Last month rent deposit
• Utility deposit - issued directly to the utility provider
• Rental arrears to avoid eviction
• Utility arrears to avoid disconnection or to reconnect
• Moving costs
• Bed bug treatment/eradication for home owners
• Bed bug treatment for rental situation - assistance may be issued to cover the reasonable costs incurred by the tenants for bed bug treatment (including mattress covers and additional laundry costs)
• Household items - reasonable costs to be considered for those who are leaving shelter services, discharge from the hospital, discharge from incarceration, or cases of separation where a person is establishing a new residence (i.e. pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, bedding, linen, etc)

Northumberland County Community & Social Services is responsible for the delivery of Ontario Works, a program that provides income support and employment services referrals to eligible residents of the County

• Active participants have access to their case file information and important program announcements through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) number, 1-800-808-2268. Clients will be asked to enter their 9-digit identification number and 4-digit security personal identification number (PIN). They will then have a number of choices that will allow them to access the information they are looking for.

Monthly benefit payment to help eligible households pay their rent. Benefit payments are:

• portable, so benefit may be received after moving to another address
• based on household income and local market rent values

Provides emergency food vouchers for families in need.

• Provide emergency assistance for rent, hydro and heat if possible

Program helps youth with mental health and/or addiction as they transition from youth services to adult services. Assistance includes support with counselling, housing, employment, financial wellness, government ID and paperwork.

Services include:

Housing Stability Program

• rental arrears and/or utility or energy arrears
• last month's rental deposit
• moving costs for those that move to secure more affordable accommodation
• assistance with rental arrears, moving cost, and utility arrears

Access to Affordable Housing

• staff assist to locate units available in the communities that clients wish to live
• assist with rental applications, completion of a standard lease and connecting clients with housing providers
• market rent and rent-geared-to-income (RGI)

ID Replacement

• year-round I.D. replacement for birth certificates
• staff assist with processing application information and will provide payment for the document
• expedited birth certificates will not be expensed by North House
• birth certificate replacements available to both clients, and their child if required

Income Tax

• complete taxes for the current year and 10 years prior
• e-file to CRA

Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Support

• staff will address and advise on concerns that you may have about your tenancy and the appropriate forms to file with the LTB
• staff can attend scheduled hearings as emotional and moral support but cannot speak on client's behalf

Landlord Engagement

• Opening Doors in Durham Region where landlords may be eligible to receive a signing bonus of up to $1,000 to provide permanent, affordable, and supported housing solutions to the communities in north Durham Region

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• assistance with arrears of electricity or natural gas bill and facing possibility of disconnection

Ontario Electricity Support Program

• lowers electricity bills for lower-income households
• provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size
• credits are applied directly to eligible customers' electricity bills

Program provides addiction case management services coupled with a housing supplement to assistindividuals with problematic substance to secure and maintain safe stableindependent housing use who are homeless, at risk of homelessness orinadequately housed. The program is coordinated out of Belleville and providesa defined number of subsidies in Hastings/Prince Edward Counties,Kingston/Frontenac/Lennox & Addington and Lanark/Leeds and Grenville.

Program is not an emergency housing program and there is limited availability

Housing programs include:

Supportive Housing & Homelessness Program offers assistance with finding safe, affordable housing and/or subsidies as needed. This is an internal referral program.

Housing Resource & Co-ordination program will assist individuals with a mental health concern review listings and provide support with landlords and the application processes. Subsidies available for those who qualify.

Short-Term Residential Crisis Service Program is in collaboration with the Crisis Intervention Centre and can assist with short-term crisis housing for a person with a mental illness who have come into contact with the law.

Group Home services are provided at 2 homes providing supportive programming for life skills, daily routines and healthy living, social and organized planning with the expectation of residents to participate.

Program helps youth with mental health and/or addiction as they transition from youth services to adult services. Assistance includes support with counselling, housing, employment, financial wellness, government ID and paperwork.

Program connects abused women and their children with community support to find and maintain safe housing. Supports include income support, court support, educational & parenting support, employmen and Legal Aid support.

Program connects abused women and their children with community support to find and maintain safe housing. Supports include income support, court support, educational & parenting support, employmen and Legal Aid support.

COVID19 - application to be done online * service by phone and email


Housing Stability Program (HSP) for those at risk of homelessness with eviction prevention and homeless households with obtaining rental accommodations

• for qualified low-income households, benefits could include rent, heat or utility arrears to a maximum of two months
• benefits can also include connection fees and security deposits
• last month's rent deposit
• moving costs to a maximum of $200 or up to $500 for those with medical limitations * assistance may be issued a maximum of once in a 36-month period

Note

• households requesting assistance with arrears need to be able to normally afford their accommodation costs, but, as a result of unexpected financial pressures or cost increases, are unable to pay their rent, heat or utility bills
• households seeking help to move must have a valid reason for doing so, and the new accommodations must be affordable

Provides assistance to residents through a range of services for housing related needs, including:

• help to maintain housing
• help to find housing
• help with financial assistance
• help for landlords
• help with support services
• help with emergency housing

COVID19 -- Closed for public access until further notice. Applicants can apply for social assistance by calling Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or online at york.ca.

Assesses eligibility for Ontario Works financial and employment assistance, including verification interview

York Region COVID-19 Temporary Arrears Benefit

• One-time rental/mortgage or utility arrears support to eligible Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) households in York Region who, as a result of COVID-19 have not been able to pay rent or utility expenses (are currently in arrears) and are at risk of eviction
• offers light case management
• benefit is available until December 31, 2021 or until funding is exhaused, whichever is first
• call Access York to apply

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• 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

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• 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 Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• 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

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• 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 Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 -- information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm --automated information, payment details, file status

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computer

Service and Benefit Finder -- personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

COVID19 -- Closed for public access until further notice. Applicants can apply for social assistance by calling Access York at 1-877-464-9675 or online at york.ca.

Assesses eligibility for Ontario Works financial and employment assistance, including verification interview

York Region COVID-19 Temporary Arrears Benefit

• One-time rental/mortgage or utility arrears support to eligible Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) households in York Region who, as a result of COVID-19 have not been able to pay rent or utility expenses (are currently in arrears) and are at risk of eviction
• offers light case management
• benefit is available until December 31, 2021 or until funding is exhaused, whichever is first
• call Access York to apply

Provides financial benefits through Ontario Works, as well as employment and social supports to people living in Toronto

Financial Assistance -- monthly allowance based on family size, housing costs and income

• 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

Health Support --includes medical supplies, sensory and mobility aids, medical transportation

• 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 Assistance -- programs, services, and benefits for those seeking employment such as benefits for employment-related or training costs, costs related to starting a job

• 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

Child and Family Support - benefits include newborn child allowance, child care start-up costs

• 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 Stabilization Fund --help with rent and energy arrears, rent deposit, moving costs and essential furniture

Social Supports -- referral to community and government services including child care, housing, addiction supports, health and mental health services, food banks, legal services, supports for youth, seniors and persons with disabilities

Client Services and Information Unit 416-338-8888, option 3, then option 5 --information on Ontario Works, including legislation and procedures

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 1-800-808-2268, Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm, Sat-Sun noon-5 pm -- automated information, payment details, file status, service not available to TTY users

MyBenefits -- online service available to residents receiving Ontario Works to access information via smartphone, tablet or computer

Service and Benefit Finder --personalized list of benefits for child care, employment, housing and living expenses

Welfare Fraud Hotline 416-392-8980 -- to report allegations of fraudulent collection of Ontario Works assistance

Homeless Drop-In and Services

• meal program -- breakfast, hot lunch, snacks
• access to computer and internet
• access to phone
• laundry available on-site
• individual support and informal counselling
• information and referral

Health programs

• foot care and general nurse
• harm reduction supplies

Safer Opioid Supply (SOS) program -- case management for those with opiate dependency, group supports, and public education workshops in the community

Housing programs

• housing assistance via rental listings and assistance applying/updating subsidised housing application

Member Agency of Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN)