Social Housing - FAQs

In order to be eligible for Social Housing, at least one member in your household must be 16 years or older.  You must be a Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or have Refugee Claimant Status.  You must not owe arrears to any social housing provider or have misrepresented your household income.  If you own a house, you must agree to sell it within six months of being housed.  You may not have assets worth more than $50,000.  All members of the household who are 16 years or older must sign the application and copies of birth certificates, proof of Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant status for all members of the household must be provided.

There are several ways to obtain an application for subsidized housing:

• You can print a copy of the Application here
• It can be picked up at the Social and Community Services office located at 1110 Hwy. 26, Midhurst, ON
• You can request that it be mailed to you by calling 705-725-7215

There is no emergency housing.  When your name gets to the top of the list, you will be offered a unit.  The list is kept in order of the date we receive your completed application.  If you move into a subsidized building at the market rate, this does not mean that you will be offered subsidized housing sooner.  While you are waiting for housing, be aware that it is your responsibility to notify our office within 30 business days of any changes in your circumstances including changes to your address and telephone number. 

Rent is based on 30% of your gross monthly income or if you are receiving Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, a social assistance scale.

Yes.  When you apply for housing, you will be asked where you want to live.  You can choose one or many with your name added only to the waiting lists of the properties you choose within the County of Simcoe.  You may indicate what type of unit you wish to live in and how many bedrooms you wish to have but your choice will be subject to Occupancy Standards as per the Housing Services Act, 2011.  If you accept a unit, you cannot transfer to another unit unless you have a medical reason for requesting a transfer. 

The length of time before a unit becomes available will vary depending on the locations you choose.  Every housing choice has its own waitlist. It could take some time to be offered a unit as the waitlist is lengthy and because of the smaller number of vacancies in some locations.  For example, your name may appear close to the top of the list for one property but if that particular property does not get many vacancies, you may have to wait longer for it than you would for a property where your name is lower down on the list if they have a bigger turn around.  For this reason, we do not advise you where you are on the list. 

If you are next on the waitlist, you will be contacted.  If for whatever reason, you cannot move at that time, the next person on the waitlist will be contacted.  However, you will cease to be eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance if you have refused three offers.

There are several ways to obtain an application:

- You can print an Application here

- You can request that it be mailed to you by calling 705-725-7215 Ext. 1119

If you move into a unit and decide that you want to have someone else added to your lease, they must complete an application and we will determine if they are eligible for rent-geared-to-income housing.