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HomeLive HereSocial ServicesHousing

Housing

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The City of Stratford Social Services Department is the provincially designated Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM or ‘Service Manager’) responsible for administering social services in Stratford, Perth County, and St. Marys.  This includes programs and services to help residents access housing options that are affordable and meet their needs, situations, and choice.

 Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing

RGI housing is a unit for which tenants pay no more than 30% of their household income on rent. Household income must be below Household Income Limits set by the province. 

Apply for RGI housing through the Housing Access Centre

Housing Stability Bank (the program formerly known as CHPI)

The Housing Stability Bank (the program formerly known as CHPI) provides one-time housing-related financial support to help households experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness find and keep their housing. This includes assistance with:

  • Rental arrears
  • Energy arrears
  • Last month’s rent deposit
  • Tenant insurance
  • Moving costs/Furniture*
  • Home repairs
Eligibility

Eligibility is based on the household income limits listed below, which vary depending on the size of the household. Qualifying households can access each type of assistance once in a 12-month period.

Number of People
Annual Income

Single

$30,000

Two People

$32,500

Three People

$38,000

Four or more People

$42,500

*Moving Costs/Furniture are only available once every 24 months

 

To apply

Complete the Application Form and return to the Social Services Department.

 

Recipients of Ontario Works should speak to their caseworker before applying.
In person:

City Hall Annex Building

82 Erie Street, Stratford

First Floor Reception

 

Mail:

City Hall Annex Building

82 Erie Street

Stratford, ON

N5A 2M4

Email: socialsrv@stratford.ca

Fax: 519-273-7191

Please call 519-271-3773 or 1-800-669-2948 for more information.

Rent Support Programs

Rent supports are government-funded payments (also called subsidies or benefits) that bridge the gap between what a household can afford to pay and what the actual cost of housing is. Depending on the program, type of payment, and source of funding, these payments can be used for both private market and community housing units. 

 Rent Supplement Program

Eligible households pay a portion of the rent according to an income formula and the landlord receives a supplement for the remainder of the rental cost. This subsidy is connected to the unit, meaning that when a household moves out, they are no longer eligible for the program. 

 

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be on the centralized waiting list for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing which means they:

  • Meet required income limits
  • Are 16 years old or older
  • Have legal status in Canada (Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or refugee claim)
  • Do not have an enforceable removal order
  • Do not owe arrears to any community housing provider
  • Have not been convicted of an offence under the Housing Services Act or Criminal Code as it relates to the receipt of RGI assistance
  • Do not own a property that is suitable for year-round occupancy

 

To apply

Households must apply through the centralized waiting list for RGI housing and check the ‘rent supplement’ option in the Housing Preferences section of the application form.

Apply for RGI housing through the Housing Access Centre 

 Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)

This subsidy or benefit is tied to the household and can be used to help pay rent anywhere in Ontario. When the household moves to a different unit, the benefit moves with them. The City of Stratford Social Services Department is responsible for the initial referral and intake, but the program is managed by Ontario’s Ministry of Finance.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a resident of Ontario
  • Have legal status in Canada (Canadian Citizenship, permanent residency, refugee claim)
  • Be on the centralized waiting list for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing or be eligible to be on the list
  • Not be in receipt of RGI assistance or any other rent support
  • Consent to being removed from the centralized waiting list once the application is completed and approved

 

To apply

Contact Social Services Department by calling 519-271-3773 ext. 200 (Toll free: 1-800-669-2948) or emailing socialsrv@stratford.ca

In the application process, City of Stratford staff will:

  1. Assess households for initial eligibility
  2. Review program requirements
  3. Assist with completing the application form
  4. Submit the application to the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the applicant

The Ministry of Finance will:

  1. Approve household
  2. Calculate the benefit amount
  3. Maintain communication with the household ongoing

 

Affordable Rental Housing

This area has a number of options for rental housing that costs less than units in the private market.

 Britannia Street Affordable Housing Project

The City of Stratford owns and operates affordable housing units on Britannia Street in Stratford. A second building is currently under construction at the same location. The rental rates for these 1- and 2-bedroom units are 80% of the average market rent (AMR) for comparable units in Stratford.

Learn more or apply for Britannia Street Affordable Housing.

 Community (Social) Housing Providers

Community housing refers to housing that is owned and operated by non-profit housing corporations, housing co-operatives, and municipal governments.

While most local community housing providers offer rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing which is managed through the centralized waiting list, many also provide market rents for which they maintain their own waiting lists, and which typically cost less than what is available in the private market.

For more information on these market rent units, please contact the housing providers directly:

Banbury Cross Housing Co-operative Inc.

      Stratford, Ontario

      519-273-2666

      banburycross@wightman.ca

Bard of Avon Housing Co-operative Inc.

      Stratford, Ontario

      519-273-1618

      bardofavon39@gmail.com

Festival City Housing Co-operative Homes

      Stratford, Ontario

      519-273-2276

      festivalcityhousing@yahoo.com

Little Falls Co-operative Homes

      St. Marys, Ontario

      519-284-0499

      littlefallscoop@rogers.com

Spruce Lodge Seniors Home

      Stratford, Ontario

      519-271-4090

Vineyard Village Non-Profit Housing

      Stratford, Ontario

      519-273-4021

Downloadable list of community housing providers that offer market rent units.

Permanent Supportive Housing

Permanent Supportive (or Supported) Housing (PSH) combines housing assistance with wraparound support services to population groups that are particularly vulnerable to housing instability such as those experiencing homelessness, and those with physical or mental health concerns, developmental disabilities, or substance use.

PSH programs are often delivered in a Housing First framework, the underlying principle of which is that people are better able to move forward with their lives if they are first housed. 

 Intensive Case Management (ICM)

Intensive Case Management (ICM) is delivered by the City of Stratford and local partnering agencies. It aims to provide local households experiencing homelessness with safe and suitable housing of their choice, in the community of their choice, with the appropriate level of support services based on their unique needs. 

 

Eligibility

To be eligible, households must:

  • Be experiencing homelessness
  • Be part of at least one of the following priority groups:
    • Youth 16-24 years of age
    • Adults transitioning from provincial institutions
    • Families with dependent children
    • Households experiencing chronic homelessness
  • Meet housing income limits
  • Have active status on the Stratford-Perth-St. Marys By-Name-List

 

To apply

This program draws intake from the Stratford-Perth-St. Marys By-Name-List and offers program enrollment to those in situations of greatest urgency. This means that there is no application form or waiting list for Intensive Case Management (ICM). 

To be considered for the program, people must be on the local By-Name-List. Learn more about the By-Name-List and how to be added to it. 

Affordable Homeownership

The Affordable Homeownership Loan Program provides qualified low to moderate income households with down payment assistance loans of up to 5% of the purchase price of a home.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a current renter
  • Qualify for a mortgage
  • Be using the home as their principal residence
  • Have legal status in Canada
  • Be 18+ years old
  • Meet household income limits (HILS) as outlined in the Application Overview

Stay within the maximum purchase price of a house which is outlined in the Application Overview.

 

To apply
  1. Review the Application Overview Instructions and Appendixes
  2. Complete the Homeownership Application and Homeownership Bank Verification of Income and Assets
  3. Submit to Social Services Department

 

In person:

City Hall Annex Building

82 Erie Street, Stratford

First Floor Reception

 

Mail:

City Hall Annex Building

82 Erie Street

Stratford, ON

N5A 2M4

Email: socialsrv@stratford.ca

Fax: 519-273-7191

Please call 519-271-3773 or 1-800-669-2948 for more information.

 

Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed Applications will be reviewed, and qualification determined on an as submitted basis.  Qualification for the program does not guarantee allocation of funding to the application. Preference will be given chronologically to complete and eligible applications.

Plans, Directives, and Forms

The City of Stratford is also responsible for developing strategies, plans, and directives to improve housing outcomes for individuals and families in the Service Manager area.  

 Housing and Homelessness Plan (HHP)

The Housing & Homelessness Plan for Stratford, Perth County, and St. Marys outlines the framework for delivering housing and homelessness services locally. Originally released in 2014, the Plan was updated in 2019 to make sure it continues to reflect local needs and aligns with the work being done at the provincial and federal levels.  

 

HHP Vision

Everyone has the right to a home that is safe, suitable, and affordable, and to supports that help them keep their home.

 

HHP Strategic Objectives
  1. Ending Homelessness: shifting resources and service provision from managing to ending homelessness, with a focus on chronic homelessness.
  2. Creating Attainable Housing Options: increasing the range of housing options that is available, affordable, appropriate, and achievable to meet people’s needs, situations, and choice.
  3. Sustaining Community Housing: ensuring the existing community housing stock is well maintained and continues to play a key role in the delivery of permanent geared-to-income housing locally.
  4. Addressing a Diversity of Needs: providing a broad range of services and supports that reflect the unique, local landscape in an inclusive and culturally appropriate way, including advancing Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 
 Housing and Homelessness Plan (HHP) Annual Reports
HHP Annual Reports highlight the achievements and progress that have been made on the targets and goals of the Housing and Homelessness Plan.
  • 2022 HHP Annual Report
  • 2021 HHP Annual Report
  • 2020 HHP Annual Report
  • 2019 HHP Annual Report
  • 2018 HHP Annual Report
  • 2017 HHP Annual Report
 Service Manager Directives and Forms

The City of Stratford, in accordance with the Housing Services Act, 2011, has developed rules related to the delivery of rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing in Stratford, Perth County, and St. Marys. These directives apply to all local community housing providers and outline the processes and policies related to how households access, and are referred and matched to, local RGI units. 

 Current Community Housing Directives
  •  2020-01 Review of Continued RGI Eligibility – Annual Reviews
  • 2020-02 Ceasing to Meet Occupancy Standards
  • 2020-03 Cessation of Eligibility – Refusal of Offer
  • 2020-04 Notification of Changes Outside of Annual Reviews
  • 2020-05 Refusal to Offer Unit by Housing Provider
 Forms
  • Form 201 - Request for Review on Notice of Decision
  • Decision to Refuse to Offer an RGI Unit based on an N6 Eviction Notice
  • Information for Determining Continued Eligibility due to Extenuating Circumstances

  

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