Information for Housing Applicants

Housing offer

When there is a unit available, the first applicant at the top of the waiting list is contacted. If the first applicant on the list refuses, or cannot be contacted, the next applicant on the list will be offered the unit.

You're allowed one housing offer. If you refuse the offer, your name will be taken off the waiting list. Once your name is off the waiting list, you will have to reapply and start over. This means you will go to the bottom of the list.

You must provide a daytime phone number so we can contact you as soon as a unit is available. If we can't reach you, your application will be cancelled. If you can't be reached during the day, give the phone number of a contact person so they can pass the message to you.

More information

• Appealing a decision

  Housing Access communicates eligibility decisions to applicants through a letter of decision.

  If you disagree with a decision made by Housing Access, we recommend that you try to work with the person who made the decision.  If you're unable to, you can request an appeal.

  You can do this by sending us a letter explaining the reason for the appeal. You must send us your appeal letter within 10 days of receiving our decision letter.  You can send your letter to Housing Services, Housing Access, 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold. Only certain types of decisions are reviewable.

• Applying as a homeowner

  If you own a home that can be used all year, you can apply for housing. However, you must sell it within six months of being housed.

• Applying without an income

  You can apply for housing even if you don't have an income. However, once you're housed, you will need income from one or more of the following:

  • Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program
  • Support payments, child support, Employment Insurance or support payments required under a sponsorship agreement
  • Old Age Security

  If you don't pursue income, you may lose your rent-geared-to-income assistance.

• Income and asset limits

  Income limits for Niagara are set at the provincial limits which are called "Household Income Limits". The income limits are:

  • Bachelor - $36,000
  • One bedroom - $46,000
  • Two bedrooms - $55,000
  • Three bedrooms - $63,800
  • Four or more bedrooms - $83,000

  Asset limits for Niagara are set at $50,000 for a single-person household and $75,000 for households with two or more members.

• Keep your application up to date

  It's very important that you keep your application information up to date. If you change your address or phone number you must let us know within 30 days because we may try to call or write to you. You must respond to any phone calls, letters or forms we send you.

  Every two years, you will get an eligibility review form. This form helps to make sure that you're still eligible for housing. Fill it in and send it back to us right away.

• Market rent units

  Market units are full rent with no subsidy.

  Many housing providers in Niagara have both rent-geared-to-income and market (full rent) rent units in their communities.

  To apply for a market rent unit, complete the application for housing. We'll determine if you qualify for a market rent unit after we review your income. You will then be placed on the waiting list(s) of the communities you selected for a market rent unit only.

• Seniors housing

  You must be at least 55 years old for seniors housing.

  At least one member listed on your application must have reached the age of 55 to be placed on the seniors community waiting list.

• When you must contact our office
  • When your address or phone number changes
  • When you want to change the locations listed on your application. This is important because if you're offered a unit in a location where you don't want to live, it will be treated as a refusal and you will need to reapply.
  • When the number of people in your household changes. This is important because the number of people in your household determines the number of bedrooms you will get.

Community Housing

• Apply for Housing
• Information for Applicants
• Find Housing