Housing Access Centre

Is a housing co-op the right choice for you

Eligibility for RGI Assistance

To be eligible for community housing in the City of Stratford, Perth County, and the Town of St. Marys:

• At least one applicant must be 16 years of age or older and be able to live independently.

• A Canadian citizen; or

• A permanent resident of Canada or has a current application in process for status as a permanent resident of Canada or

• A Convention Refugee or Refugee Claimant

• No member of the household has an enforceable removal order made against them.

• No member of the household owes either arrears of rent or money owed, as a result of damages caused by a current member of the household, to any social housing provider - except as follows (if arrears are owed, one of the following must be true for the household to now be eligible):

  • The Service Manager is satisfied that extenuating circumstances exist; or

  • The member has entered into an arrears repayment agreement or made reasonable efforts to enter into an agreement, with the housing provider, and the Service Manager is satisfied that the member is making or intends to make all reasonable efforts to repay the arrears (in the case of Special Priority household, and the arrears are related to a unit that the member occupied with the abusing individual, the agreement may be to repay 50% of the arrears).

• According to the local rule, no member of the household has been convicted of an offence under the Housing Services Act (HSA) or the Criminal Code in relation to the receipt of RGI assistance within the last 2 years (the following must be true for household to now be eligible):

The individual may have been a member of a household that had been convicted, and they either didn't know the individual was committing the offence, or couldn't stop the individual, or in the case of an abused member of a Special Priority household, the individual was forced to make the misrepresentation by the abusing individual.

• Household members have divested, or are divesting, their interest and holdings in residential property (suitable for year-round occupancy), in or outside Ontario within the time limit set by the service manager.

• To continue to be eligible for RGI after move-in, household member's may have to apply for the following forms of assistance for which they may be eligible; Household members have divested, or are divesting, their interest and holdings in residential property (suitable for year-round occupancy), in or outside Ontario within the time limit set by the service manager.

• Ontario Works

• Divorce or support payments

• Employment Insurance

• Guaranteed Annual Income (GAINS), Old Age Security (OAS) and/or Guaranteed Income Supplement

• Support or maintenance from a sponsor under the Immigration Act.

Step One – Fill out a Housing Application Form

Download a copy of the Housing Application Form. You can also pick up an application form in-person at: 1^St Floor Reception, City Hall Annex Building, 82 Erie Street, Stratford.

Housing Application Form

Asset Review Form

Step Two – Complete and provide required documentation 

The following is a list of all the required documents that must be provided with your application for everyone listed on the application form.  (Some items may not apply to some individuals.)

• Copies of Canadian birth certificates, Canadian passport, Permanent Resident card or refugee claimant documents for all members of the household.  Click here for helpful handout.

• Custody documentation for all dependents.  Click here for helpful handout.

• Copy of arrears repayment agreement and receipt of first payment for anyone in your household who owes money to an Ontario community housing provider (also known as a social housing provider).

• Copies of all household monthly income for you and all persons who will be living with you.  Click here for helpful handout. 

• Self-employed - please provide proof of income such as your latest income tax, investment Interest income, Form T 2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities.

• Form 306 - Assets Review Form, completed by your financial institution, for all household member's.

• If pregnant, provide proof of pregnancy i.e. something in writing from your medical practitioner confirming pregnancy or ultrasound picture containing your patient name.

*When filling out these forms, it is important that you read the instructions carefully.  The Housing Access Centre can only determine eligibility for RGI assistance based on a complete application.  An incomplete application will delay your addition to the waiting list.  

Special Provincial Priority Status (SPP)

You would use this form if you are currently living with someone who is abusing you, you have recently stopped living with someone who was abusing you, or you have been a victim of human trafficking.  It is meant to help you separate permanently from the person abusing you and keep you safe.

Form 103 – Special Priority Application

In-Person: 1^St Floor Reception, City Hall Annex Building, 82 Erie Street, Stratford

By Mail: City of Stratford Social Services Department – Housing Division, 82 Erie Street, Stratford, ON N5A 2M4

By Fax: 519-273-7191

• Form 103 – Special Priority Application 
• Form 104 – Declaration of Intent to Sell Property
• Form 108 – Request for Accommodation
• Form 109 – Independent Living Assessment
• Form 111 – Consent to Release Personal Information
• Form 113 - Building Selections
• Form 201 – Request for Review of Decision