Applying for Subsidized Housing

STEP 1: Applicants must be eligible on the chronological subsidized wait list, prior to applying for Special Priority.

STEP 2: All applicants must submit a complete application for special priority. A complete application includes:

1. Request for Special Priority Form
2. Proof of Joint Residency (not required for human trafficking or if the abusive individual is the current immigration sponsor)
3. Verification of Abuse or Trafficking Form (to be completed by a qualified professional)
4. Record of Abuse or Trafficking (to be completed by the same qualified professional) 

STEP 3: Applicants can submit the Special Priority application by:

• EMAIL: [email protected]
• MAIL or DROP BOX: 17150 Yonge Street, 5th Floor, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 8V3
  Attention: Special Priority, Housing Access Unit

Applicants should advise of their Client ID number and full name when sending correspondence to Special Priority, Housing Access Unit. When sending documents via email, Applicants are requested to attach documents as WORD or PDF files. 

Kindly send one (1) EMAIL with all of the above required documents.

Requests are reviewed chronologically as received by York Region. Applicants will receive an email, once their request is in process. 

Subsidized housing is for eligible households who do not have enough income and/or assets to pay market rent.

Anyone can apply for subsidized housing in York Region as long as they meet these basic eligibility requirements:

• At least one household member must be 16 years of age or older
• All household members must be Canadian Citizens, permanent residents or have refugee claimant status
• You must not owe any money to a former community housing provider
• Household members cannot be under a deportation, departure or exclusion order to leave Canada
• No household member has been convicted of an offence related to rent geared-to-income assistance
• No household member has been convicted of an offence under the Housing Services Act (HSA), the Social Housing Reform Act or the Criminal Code in relation to the receipt of rent geared-to-income assistance
• Annual household income from all sources must be less than $80,000
• Total value of all assets owned by you and all members of your household who are over the age of 16 must be less than $75,000. Bank accounts, investments and real estate are examples of assets. Some assets, including Registered Retirement Savings Plans, Registered Education Savings Plans and Registered Disability Savings Plans are not counted toward the limit, but you must still declare them
• You must be able to live independently, with or without supports

You must provide proof of your legal right to be in Canada for yourself and everyone in your household. This may include, but is not limited to:

• A copy of your Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport or Canadian citizenship card (front and back);
• Landed immigrant papers, permanent resident card (front and back); or
• Documents supporting your claim for refugee status.

Note: We do not accept your health card or driver's licence as proof of your status in Canada.

An individual is considered to be able to live independently if they are able to perform the essential activities of day-to-day living, or can do so with the aid of support services and demonstrates that those support services will be provided when they are required. Applicants are responsible for arranging their own support services, as they are not provided by community housing providers.

Non-Profit Housing
Non-profit housing is owned and operated by community-based, non-profit organizations such as faith groups and service clubs. They are either self-managed or managed through a property management company. Non-profit housing can be a mix of subsidized and market rent (not subsidized) housing. 

Co-operative Housing
Co-operative housing (co-ops) are collectively owned and managed by the people who live in them. Residents living in co-ops are called members. A board of directors is elected among the members of a co-op.

If you are interested in living in co-operative housing, you must attend an information session. Most co-operatives also require you to attend an interview with their membership committee before offering you housing.

Housing York Inc.
Housing York Inc. is York Region’s housing corporation. It owns and operates over 3124 subsidized and market rent housing units across York Region.

Rent Supplement
York Region has rent supplement agreements with various private landlords. Rent supplement tenants pay rent geared-to-income in private rental apartments. The Region pays the landlord the difference between the tenant’s subsidized rent and the market rental cost of the unit.

Market Rent
Many subsidized housing communities have a mix of subsidized rent and market rent housing. Market rent is where the tenant pays the full rent for the unit. To be eligible for market rent housing you must meet the requirements of the housing provider. For information about rental rates or to apply for a market rent unit, contact the housing provider directly.

Federal Co-operatives
Federal housing co-operatives are housing communities within the region that are not funded or administered by York Region.  These housing providers do not use the Region’s centralized waiting list. If you want to live in these communities, you must apply directly to those federal housing providers.

Housing With Supports
Housing with supports (formerly domiciliary hostels) offers housing and daily meals for people who need supervision of their daily living activities. These are permanent homes for most people who stay there. York Region may be able to offer financial help to pay for housing at a home. This funding is for people who cannot pay the full cost on their own.

York Region uses an online housing offer process, where available subsidized units and housing benefits are posted to the online application portal for applicants to view and express interest in.

New applicants will not immediately be able to view vacancies and express interest in them. After you apply and your name moves up closer to the top of the wait list, you will receive an invitation to participate in the online housing offer process.

Once you become eligible to participate, you will be able to view vacancies and express interest in units for all community housing buildings that you are eligible for. You may choose to only express interest in the units and buildings that meet your needs and preferences.

The number of bedrooms is determined by the occupancy standards that apply to your household size. Housing Access will confirm what size of unit you are eligible for.

Once you become eligible to participate in the online housing offer process, you will only be able to see and express interest in units you are eligible for based on your household size.

Generally, occupancy standards follow a smallest/largest unit principle:

• The smallest unit a subsidized household is eligible to occupy has one bedroom for every two members of the household and an extra bedroom if there is an odd number of household members
• The largest unit a subsidized household is eligible to occupy has one bedroom for every member of the household with couples sharing
• A single person is eligible for a bachelor or one bedroom unit

An additional bedroom can be requested if:

• Couples cannot share a bedroom because of a disability or medical condition
• Additional space is needed to store medical equipment related to a disability or significant medical condition
• The member of the household has joint custody of a child

If you need an additional bedroom due to a medical disability, have your doctor complete a  Request for Additional Bedroom form and submit the form to Housing Access for review.

If you need an additional bedroom for a visiting child, you must submit a copy of your custody agreement, court order or statutory declaration, or a letter from Family and Children’s Services. Housing Access will review the information and determine if you are eligible for an additional bedroom.

Generally, subsidized rent is based on 30% of your household’s total gross monthly income. Additional charges may apply depending on the building (e.g., parking).

If you are receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, your rent is based on a pre-determined rent scale.

Some housing providers have wheelchair accessible units. Your doctor must complete our Request for Modified Unit form. Once we receive the form, we will assess your eligibility for this type of unit.

Visit the Housing Locations page to search for community housing locations with accessible units and review information each location, including the number of accessible units.

If you are approved for an accessible unit and become eligible to participate in the online offer process, you will be able to view and express interest in accessible units.

Some housing providers have market rent units as well as subsidized units. If you are interested in getting a market rent unit, please contact the housing provider directly. A list of housing providers and locations is available on the Housing Locations page.

There are no other priority categories in York Region. All applicants are listed on the waiting list by the date they applied for subsidized housing.

Wait list applicants receive one offer of housing, in accordance with provincial rules. If you turn down the offer of housing, you will no longer be eligible for subsidized housing and you will be removed from the wait list.

Access my application online for the first time

If you are an existing applicant and you have not yet accessed your application online, you will need to create an online account and link the account to your application.

All applicants currently on the subsidized housing wait list will receive a letter from Housing Access with a registration code to access their applications online. Letters are being sent in phases starting with applicants with the oldest application dates.

To create an online portal account and link to your existing application, you need:

• Your registration code
  • Your registration code is your client number. It is found on all communications from the Housing Access Unit in the form “p123456”
  • If you do not have your registration code/client number, please call 1-877-464-9675
• First Name
• Last Name
• Date of Birth
• An email address
• You must use the email address that is on file with Housing Access to set-up your online account
  • If you have never provided your email address, you use a different email address, or you aren’t sure which email address is on file, please call 1-877-464-9675.

For more information on how to register, please refer to our guide for existing applicants.

When registering, please select "yes" to receiving emails to ensure you get timely information about your application.

Once you have registered and created a user name and password, you will use the online portal to update your information and learn more about subsidized housing programs in York Region.

As an existing applicant, it is important that you do not create a new application. Having more than one application may create delays in processing your information.

Register to Access Your Online Application

Applicants with the highest ranking on the wait list – those with the oldest application dates and those with Special Priority status – will receive an email inviting them to participate in the online housing offer process. Additional applicants will be invited to participate in the future as their names move up to the top of the wait list.

For information on how to view vacancies and express interest, please refer to our guide for using the online housing offer process.

New vacancies and housing benefits will be posted to York Region’s online application portal every other Wednesday. Eligible applicants will have eight days to review information about the unit and housing benefit and express interest in the ones that meet their needs and preferences. Once the vacancy cycle closes on the following Wednesday, the unit or benefit will be offered to the applicant who expressed interest with the highest rank on the wait list. Please refer to the vacancy cycle schedule for important dates throughout the year.

All community housing locations in York Region are now using the online housing offer process to offer available units to applicants.

Please refer to this list of community housing locations to see the community housing locations that are using the online housing offer process.

How do I add or remove building choices on my application?

You can change your building selections at any time through the online application portal. Please visit the Housing Locations page for a list of subsidized housing buildings located throughout York Region.

How do I add a family member to my application?

You may add a new family member to your application using the online application portal. You will need to upload documents of legal status in Canada for each family member being added to your application.

If you have not registered for the online application portal, you must complete a Request to Make Changes to Your Application form. The new family member must complete and submit the form called Adding a Member to an Application for Subsidized Housing to Housing Access. They will need to provide documents of their legal status in Canada for each family member added to your application.

You must submit copies of the most recent Notice of Assessment for each family member 18 years and older being added to your application. Once a request to add a family member to your application is received, Housing Access will determine their eligibility for the waiting list.

What if my contact information, income or family makeup changes?

You may update your information at any time through the online application portal. If you have not registered for the portal, you must notify Housing Access of any changes.

What is the online housing offer process?

The online offer process is a new way for wait list applicants to access subsidized housing and other housing benefits offered by York Region. Available units and benefits will be posted to the Region’s online application portal. 

Through the portal, you will be able to:

• Learn about available community housing buildings and units, including amenities, photos, floor plans and move-in dates
• See information about  available housing benefits Express interest to be considered for an available unit or housing benefit that meets your needs and preferences
• Make more informed decisions about where you want to live and have control over when and where you receive an offer

What do I need to do to prepare for the new offer process?

To prepare for the new process, applicants are strongly encouraged to:

• Register for the online portal
• Agree to receive emails from the Region when applying for housing or when registering for the online portal. This will allow you to get emails about available units when new vacancy cycles start. NOTE: If you register for the online portal but choose not to receive emails, you can view messages by logging into your online application
• Upload the most recent Notice of Assessment for everyone in your household over the age of 18

How do I know if I’m eligible to participate in the new online offer process?

Applicants with the highest ranking on the wait list, which is based on application date or Special Priority Status, will receive an email with instructions on how to review and express interest in available units when they become eligible to participate in the online offer process. 

All applicants on the subsidized housing wait list will be sent a letter inviting them to register for the online portal. The online portal lets applicants update their information and learn more about subsidized housing programs and locations in York Region.

How will I find out about available vacant units or housing benefits?

Wait list applicants who are eligible to participate in the new online offer process will receive an email when a new vacancy cycle begins. New vacancy cycles open every other Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.

If you have an online account, but have chosen not to receive emails from York Region, you can log into your online account to review the email with information about available units and housing benefits. 

If you do not have an online account, and/or have poor or no access to the internet, you can contact Access York (1-877-464-9675) to request information about what vacant units or housing benefits are currently available.

What if I don’t see any vacancies during a vacancy cycle?

When you log into your application, you will only see vacancies for which you are eligible based on the number of bedrooms you are approved for and whether you are considered a senior or a non-senior household. The number of bedrooms you are approved for is determined by the number of people in your household. A senior household is one in which all household members are 60 years of age or older.

If there are no vacancies that match your household size and age, you will not see the “Vacancies” button when you log into your application. No vacancies will be listed in the email you receive at the beginning of each cycle.

New vacancy cycles start every other Wednesday. Please check back when a new cycle begins. If you have not yet been invited to participate in the online offer process, you will not see any vacancies. In the future, as your application moves up the wait list, you will receive an invitation to participate.

Can I express interest in more than one unit or housing benefit per cycle?

Yes, you may express interest in as many units or housing benefits as you like.  However, you should only express interest in a unit or housing benefit that you will accept should you receive an offer. If you turn down an offer for a unit that you expressed interest in, it is considered a refusal and you will be removed from the wait list.

Can I visit a unit or building before deciding to express interest?

No, unit or building viewings cannot be accommodated before expressing interest. The vacancy postings provide as much information as possible to help applicants decide if they want to be considered for a unit offer.

If a housing provider contacts you with an offer after you have expressed interest, you may be able to view the unit. If you decline the unit at that time, it will be considered a refusal and your application will be cancelled.

Am I guaranteed an offer of housing if I express interest in a vacancy or housing benefit?

No, you are not guaranteed an offer of housing when you express interest. Expressing interest in a unit means that you are in line to receive an offer. You will only receive an offer of housing if you have the highest rank on the wait list for a unit or housing benefit you expressed interest in. Ranking on the wait list is determined based on application date or Special Priority Status.

I have expressed interest in multiple units and/or housing benefits in one cycle. Is there a way for me to indicate my preference?

No, there is no way for you to indicate a preference between the different units or housing benefits that you have expressed interest in. You should only express interest in a unit or housing benefit that you are willing to accept should you receive an offer. Turning down an offer for a housing unit will be considered a refusal and you will be removed from the wait list.

Do I have to express interest in units or housing benefits if I’m not interested in them?

No, you do not have to express interest in any units or housing benefits. If none of the available units or benefits meet your needs or you are not ready to move, you do not need to express interest.

You should only express interest in a unit or housing benefit you would accept if you receive an offer.  Turning down an offer for a housing unit will be considered a refusal and you will be removed from the wait list.

What happens if I receive an offer of housing?

If you have expressed interest in a vacancy and are the highest ranked applicant, based on your application date and priority status, a housing provider will contact you with an offer within about seven business days of the vacancy cycle ending. Expressing interest in a unit does not guarantee you will receive an offer.

The housing provider will attempt to contact you using all contact methods included in your application. It's important that you keep your contact information up to date and respond as soon as possible when contacted.

The housing provider will talk to you about the next steps to complete the offer, which may include scheduling a viewing and signing the lease. If you have not uploaded the most recent Notice of Assessment for everyone in your household over the age of 18, you will be required to give this information to the housing provider. Depending on your income sources, you may be required to give additional information so the housing provider can calculate your rent.

If you do not respond to the housing provider, or you turn down the unit when contacted, this is considered a refusal and your application will be cancelled.

If you expressed interest in a portable housing benefit, you will be contacted by York Region to discuss your eligibility and next steps. Refusals are not counted for portable housing benefits; you can turn down an offer for a portable housing benefit and remain on the wait list.

What happens if I refuse a unit or housing benefit that I am offered?

Beginning in 2021, a one-offer rule took effect for subsidized housing in Ontario. If you refuse an offer of housing, you become ineligible for the wait list and your name is removed from the list. If you still need a subsidy, you will need to re-apply. When re-applying, you’ll be given a new application date. Because of the one-offer policy, you should only express interest in a unit if you are sure you’ll accept it if offered.

The one-offer policy does not apply to portable housing benefits. If you express interest in a portable housing benefit and change your mind when contacted with an offer, you will resume your place on the wait list and can continue to review units and benefits in future cycles.

If I accept an offer that is not my first choice, will I stay on the wait list for my other choices?

No. When you accept an offer of housing, your application is closed. If you want to move to another building, you must re-apply to the subsidized housing wait list.