2010 Guide to services is now online
Our annual guide to services for people who are homeless has been updated and is available for downloading.

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Are you eligible to lower your rent?
Starting December 15, a record 128,000 Toronto tenant households will receive notices of an automatic rent reduction. Addressed to the "Current Tenant," clearly marked "Rent Reduction Notice Enclosed," and in an envelope with the City of Toronto logo, these letters contain all the customized information a tenant requires to start paying a lower rent as of December 31, 2009. Learn more

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Housewarming for Streets to Homes clients
For the third year in a row, 13 year-old Avinash Balsingh has come to Streets to Homes bearing donations and purchased blankets and comforters as gifts for newly housed clients. Learn more.

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Housing is good medicine
The Ontario government is developing a long-term strategy for mental health and addiction services. An all-party Select Committee has been hearing from Ontarians for several months about ideas and strategies that should be included. Shelter, Support and Housing Administration recently provided input to represent the most vulnerable mentally ill and addicted people of all: those who are homeless and precariously housed. Main message: for these people, housing is the first medicine to consider. See full submission.

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Electricity and tenants
In August 2009, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) released an order invalidating any smart sub-metering installation in multi-unit rental buildings from November 3, 2005 onwards, and providing direction on what a landlord must do to re-introduce sub-metering to remove electricity as a service included in the rent and have tenants pay their electricity directly. The OEB recently decided that the order will not be reviewed, which means that it is final for the time being. This is a complex issue and City Council has made it clear that informed consent by tenants is necessary. Affected tenants should make sure they know their rights. Learn more

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Your City can help
The City of Toronto offers many programs and services to help residents and businesses. These are even more important in times of economic uncertainty. We are improving our services to help Torontonians - especially seniors, youth and people looking for work. Many programs are available now and new or expanded services are included in the 2009 budget. If your housing situation is vulnerable because of the economic situation, be sure to check out new housing assistance programs and information under tenants and landlords on our Need Help pages.Go directly to information on the Rent Bank.

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City Council strongly endorses housing plan for Toronto
City Council has strongly endorsed the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020, which was released in May following more than a year of consultations. HOT will help a cross-section of Torontonians, from people living on the street to seniors struggling to maintain and repair their own homes. It will serve as a road map to guide government investment, as well as public and private sector activity, while recognizing the limits of the City's financial resources. A first for a Canadian city, it also includes a housing charter. Learn about HOT.

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