Community Housing Access Centre

Victims of domestic violence can receive special priority for affordable housing. You may qualify if:

• You or someone you live with has been abused;
• The abusing individual is or was living with the victim or is sponsoring the victim as an Immigrant or has in the last three months; and
• The victim intends to permanently separate from the abusing individual.

To apply for special priority, fill out the affordable housing application and the Request for Special Priority for Victims of Domestic Violence.

Victims of human trafficking can receive special priority for affordable housing. You may qualify if:

• You or someone you live with is experiencing human trafficking; or
• You or someone you live with has experienced human trafficking in the last three months.

To apply for special priority, fill out the affordable housing application and the Request for Special Priority for Victims of Human Trafficking.

If you or someone you live with has been medically diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of two years or less, you can apply for terminally ill status. Fill out the affordable housing application, Request for Terminally Ill Priority and Medical Form. 

If you live in affordable housing in the Region of Waterloo and your household size gets smaller when a person you live with moves out, you may need to move to a smaller unit. Your current housing provider reviews your eligibility annually and will notify your household if you are overhoused.   

If your provider has the size of unit you need to move to they can put you on a list for a transfer to another one of their units.  If they do not have the unit size you need, they will work with your household to help you apply for Overhoused status on the community housing waiting list through the Community Housing Access Centre.  Your housing provider will give you the required forms to complete. You will need to fill out both forms, including selecting at least 10 housing sites, then return the completed forms to your housing provider. Your housing provider will submit the completed forms to the Community Housing Access Centre.

Once your application is received by the Community Housing Access Centre, they will review your eligibility and confirm if you have been placed on the waiting list. Once you are active on the community housing waiting list, your provider will confirm annually that your application remains active in order for you to continue to qualify for rent-geared-to-income in your current unit. 

For more information, contact your housing provider.

If you are 60 years of age or older and have a direct family member living at Sunnyside Home, you may receive priority for a unit at Sunnyside Home. To qualify, you must:

• Apply through the Community Housing Access Centre;
• Qualify for rent-geared-to-income assistance; and
• You have a spouse, partner, parent, sibling, or child lives at Sunnyside Home, and that you have an active role in the life and care of this person

To apply for Sunnyside priority, fill out and submit the request for Sunnyside priority form, affordable housing application and Building Selection Form - Senior Households.

If you have lived in the Region of Waterloo for the last 12 consecutive months and have a low income, you may qualify for one of the three local wait list status categories below.

1. Homeless – If your household is currently unsheltered for one of the following reasons, you many qualify for homeless status:

• Are living on the street (no shelter); or
• Are using the emergency shelter system as your primary residence; or
• Have a home that has recently been destroyed by fire or natural disaster (within the last three months); or
• Are waiting to get out of hospital or another treatment facility, cannot return to your previous residence, and will not be released until you find suitable housing.

To apply, complete the Request for Homeless Status form and submit it with your affordable housing application.

2. Escaping Violence – If you have applied for Special Priority Status for Victims of Domestic Violence but are unable to provide proof of co-habitation or are experiencing exceptional risk due to criminal activity, you might qualify for Escaping Violence local status.

To apply, complete Request for Escaping Violence Status form and submit it with your affordable housing application.

3. Separated Families – If your household has children in the care of Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region who will not be returned until adequate housing is found and housing is the only remaining protection issue, you might qualify for Separated Families local status.

To apply, complete the Request for Separated Families Status form and submit it with your affordable housing application.

The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) program provides households with a portable housing benefit to assist with rental costs in the private housing market. The benefit is portable and can be used to help pay rent anywhere in Ontario. The Region of Waterloo will process applications for those applicants living in the Region. 

This provincially administered benefit is available to eligible priority groups who are on the Centralized Waiting List for Rent Geared-to-Income subsidized housing.

COHB pays the difference between 30 percent of the household’s adjusted family net income and the average market rent in the area. For recipients of social assistance, COHB will pay the difference between the shelter allowance and the household’s rent and utilities costs. The Province of Ontario administers the program and the benefit amount is reviewed every year.

Eligible applicants will be contacted directly by Region of Waterloo staff or eligible Community Partner referrals. This is a closed application process and is offered through invitation.

COHB applicants must reside in Ontario and be on the Community Housing Access Centre waitlist.

Benefit Amount:

The benefit amount will depend on the recipient’s household size and income. The amount is calculated using a formula that includes household income, the number of people in the household, and the local housing market rents in the Service Manager Area.

Calculation Method:

The Portable Housing Benefit (PHB) is calculated by subtracting 30 percent of Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) for the household from either 80 percent of local Average Market Rent (AMR) or shelter costs up to 100 percent of the local Average Market Rent (AMR) (whichever is greater):

Monthly Portable Housing Benefit = (greater of AMR x 80% or shelter costs, up to 100% of AMR) – (AFNI x 30%) / 12

AFNI is the annual net income of all members of a family unit or benefit unit, excluding full-time students. It also excludes net Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) payments and net monthly Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) payments. It is generally based on net income (line 23600 on your Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment) if it reasonably reflects your net income or approximated net income.

AMR is the average rent in your area as determined and reported by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). AMRs are published yearly by the CMHC in the Rental Market Report.

To view the Region of Waterloo's AMRs, view tables 1.1.2 in the Rental Market Report Data Tables - Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo.

Eligibility for the Program:

To receive COHB, applicants must agree to be removed from the Centralized Waiting List as required by Provincial program guidelines. 

Households cannot receive COHB and Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing or any other form of housing benefit at the same time.

COHB is a portable benefit, which means that it will continue to support households wherever they move in Ontario. The benefit amount may change to reflect the average local market rent.

The COHB program ends on March 31, 2029. Two years before COHB ends, households will be contacted to consider its options. These may include other rental assistance programs. 

Application Process:

The application process is by invitation only. The Region of Waterloo and eligible Community Partner referrals will be contacting applicants from the following identified priority groups about COHB based on the availability of benefits:

• Persons experiencing homelessness
• Persons at risk of homelessness
• Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking
• Seniors
• Indigenous persons
• Persons with disabilities requiring modified units
• Young adults
• Newcomers

Contacted applicants will require the following documents to submit an application for COHB:

For all applicants:

• Your complete current address or the one you plan to move to
• Rental costs
• Utility costs (if paid directly by household)
• Mailing address
• Banking information (can be found on a cheque)

For each household income earner, who are not full time students:

• Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
• Social Insurance Numbers

There are a limited number of benefits available. All eligible applicants who have been contacted are encouraged to contact Region of Waterloo staff to ensure access to the program. If you are living elsewhere and would like to apply for COHB, please contact your local Housing Service Department.

After the Application:
If you have been contacted as an eligible applicant and completed the application process, the Ontario Ministry of Finance (MOF) will contact you directly to inform you if your application has been approved.

When your application has been approved, you can contact the Province’s Information Centre for questions about your benefit at 1-888-544-5101 or 1-800-263-7776 (TTY).

If you are approved to receive this benefit, your application for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing will be closed and you will be removed from the Centralized Waiting List.

Will my benefit amount ever change?
Your benefit amount will be reviewed annually by the Province and may increase or decrease if there are changes to your income, your household size or if you move to another location.

If your income decreases by more than 20 percent during the year, you may request a review from the Ministry of Finance to have your benefit amount reassessed.

If you move out of the Region of Waterloo to another location in Ontario, your benefit amount will be calculated according to the average local market rent of that area. It will be modified to reflect the change in rental charges.

What do I need to do to keep receiving COHB?
Every year in May, all COHB households receive an annual renewal application from the Province by mail or email. This is due back by June 30th to prevent a disruption in payments. All household members over 17 years of age must file their federal income tax return to remain eligible for COHB.

You must complete and return the application by September 1st to remain in the program. The Province will provide reminders for you to submit your annual renewal in advance of the final September 1st deadline. Unfortunately, households who do not return their annual renewal application or file their federal income tax return by the September 1st deadline will no longer be eligible for the COHB program. Reinstatement into the program is not permitted, as per Provincial program guidelines.

Province’s Information Centre can be reached at 1-888-544-5101 or 1-800-263-7776 (TTY).

Legislative website reference at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22242

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/community-housing-renewal-strategy 

The Building Better Futures Program (BBFP) provides households with a portable housing benefit to assist with rental costs in the private housing market. The rent assistance program is tied to the household and can be used to help pay rent anywhere in the Region of Waterloo.

Housing is an essential factor in a person’s health and wellbeing and is foundational to promoting a healthy community for all. This is why the Region created a new Rent Assistance Program to make housing more affordable for racialized families.

The Rent Assistance Program provides rent assistance to reduce housing costs for 200 households. The rent assistance is portable, which means the funding will follow the family where they choose to live in Waterloo Region. Families can use the money to help make their current home more affordable or move to another rental home.

The new program will support affordability for all and will:

• Make housing more affordable for racialized families;
• Strengthen partnerships with community agencies serving racialized communities;
• Promote social and economic inclusion; and
• Facilitate community capacity building.

This is a closed application process. Eligible households are referred through local agencies and the Community Housing Access waitlist.

Application Process:

The Region of Waterloo and eligible referring Community Partners’ staff will contact eligible applicants from racialized communities. Contacted applicants will require the following documents to submit an application for BBFP:

For all applicants:

• Complete current address or the one you plan to move to
• Rental costs
• Utility costs (if paid directly by household)
• Mailing address
• Banking information (can be found on a cheque)

For each household income earner, who are not full time students:

• Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
• Social Insurance Number
• Primary applicant's email address

There are a limited number of benefits available. If you have been contacted you are encouraged to complete your application as soon as possible to ensure access to the program.

After the Application:
If you have been contacted as an eligible applicant and completed the application process, you will start to receive the program benefits either directly, or by having rent assistance paid directly to your landlord.

If you are approved to receive this benefit, you are considered to be affordably housed. Your application for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing will be closed and you will be removed from the Centralized Waiting List.

Once you begin to receive benefits, you can reach out to Region of Waterloo or Community Partners’ staff with questions about the program.

Will my eligibility for the program be reviewed?
Your benefit amount will be reviewed annually by Region of Waterloo or Community Partners’ staff. You may be found ineligible for the program if your household:

• Moves outside of Waterloo Region;
• Accepts Rent-Geared-to-Income rental subsidy elsewhere
• Is in receipt of other government funded housing benefit or allowance other than the Building Better Futures Program (BBFP)
• Income exceeds the Household Income Limits for Community Housing as defined by the Housing Services Act, 2011 (Appendix I); or
• Buys a home suitable for year-round occupancy.

What do I need to do to keep receiving BBFP?
All BBFP households will receive an annual renewal application that must be completed and returned to confirm the household information and consent to remain in the program. The Region of Waterloo or Community Partners’ staff will provide information on how to submit the renewal application and the submission deadline.

You will receive reminders and opportunities for you to submit your annual renewal in advance of the annual review deadline. Unfortunately, households who do not return their annual renewal application by the deadline may experience a delay in receiving their benefits, or removal from the BBFP rent assistance.

As in many communities, the demand for affordable housing is high in Waterloo Region. How long you wait can depend on how many properties you choose on your application and their popularity. If you have been granted priority status, you will be housed sooner than applicants who do not have this status. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee an offer of housing.

You must keep your application up to date, including your contact information and required documents, to maintain your eligibility and ensure housing providers are able to reach you at the time of offer.

If you do not keep your application up to date, it could result in a housing offer being counted as a refusal or your file being cancelled. To update your information, complete the Applicant Information Change form and submit it to CHAC using one of the contact methods listed below.

Many of our sites are senior only. View our Building Selection Form for Senior Households to make your selections.

This is based on how many people live with you. Singles and couples would be eligible for a one-bedroom unit, plus an extra bedroom for each person living with them. For example, if you are a single parent or a couple with one child, you would be eligible for a two-bedroom unit.

If you require an additional bedroom for one of the reasons listed on the application your doctor must fill in a request for additional bedroom form and it must be submitted to CHAC using one of the contact methods listed below.

Applicants on the wait list will receive one offer for housing. Make sure that the properties you have chosen are where you would like to live.

As soon as a unit opens up, you and/or your alternate will be contacted by the housing provider. It is important that you keep all of your information up to date.

If you don't respond within 24-48 hours (this varies depending on the building you are offered), your file may be cancelled. 

Refusing an offer will result in a loss of subsidy for people already living in subsidized housing. If you are an applicant, your file may be cancelled and you will need to re-apply with a new application date.

To update your information, complete the Applicant Information Change form and submit it to CHAC using one of the contact methods listed below.

To defer your application for up to 12 months, complete the Request for Deferral of Application Form and submit it to CHAC using one of the contact methods listed below.

If you would like your name to be removed from an application for community housing, please contact CHAC using one of the contact methods below.

If you would like to cancel your application for community housing, please contact CHAC using one of the contact methods below.

If you disagree with a decision about your application, we do recommend that you try to work with the person who made the decision. If you are unable to do so, you can request a review by completing and sending Community Housing Access Centre the Request for Review form that was mailed to you with your decision letter. Only certain types of decisions are reviewable.

If you do not have the review form, please contact CHAC using one of the contact methods below.

The Region of Waterloo collects personal information in the Community Housing Application and supporting documents under the Housing Services Act, 2011. The Region uses this information to determine a person's eligibility for housing, continuation of housing, and the appropriate rent-geared-to-income charge.

With consent to release information, the Region may exchange personal information in this application with Access Sites and housing providers to arrange a placement or housing assistance. Personal information may also be exchanged between the Region and other institutions where required or allowed by law.

If you have any questions about the collection and use of personal information, please contact CHAC using one of the contact methods below.