The Rent Bank Program provides limited, interest free loans and to seniors, individuals, and families who face eviction for rental arrears. The maximum loan available to a household can be up to two months rent. The Rent Bank Program also provides emergency rental deposit loans to people affected by the recession who require first and last months rent to move to more affordable housing. SSHA's Community Initiatives unit funds Housing Help Centres in Toronto to provide Rent Bank services.

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• Toronto Rent Bank Loans
• Toronto Rent Bank Loans flyer (PDF)
• Emergency Rental Deposit Loan
• Emergency Rental Deposit Loan flyer (PDF)
• Where is the closest Rent Bank Centre? (PDF)

Toronto Rent Bank Loans
A Rent Bank loan may be available to you if:

• you are an individual, couple, senior citizen, or family with children living in Toronto with legal status in Canada
• you are in immediate danger of losing your home due to unpaid rent
• you have a regular source of income, including OAS and GAINS
• you meet the income requirements
• you are paying market rent (not subsidized)
• your rental unit is covered by provincial tenant legislation
• you can afford your rent in the long term

You are not eligible for Rent Bank if:

• you currently receive OW social assistance, ODSP or OSAP
• you need first and last months' rent
• you cannot provide all the documentation required by Rent Bank application process
• you own a home

Staff will assess your long-term housing sustainability. You will need to show that you have used up all other means of financial help available to you before applying for a Rent Bank loan. All loans are to be paid back in full in monthly instalments. Repayments go back into the Rent Bank fund to help others.

New payment rules have added more flexibility of the repayment terms for these loans will assist tenants facing economic hardship to get through challenging financial circumstances without losing their housing. Current and new loan recipients are eligible for the new repayment rules.

Additional services include:

• landlord and tenant mediation
• money management advice and skills development
• housing search assistance
• follow-up support and community links

If you have any questions about Rent Bank or our other services, please call the Rent Bank Central Office, Neighbourhood Information Post, at 416-924-2543 or your nearest Local Access Centre:

Emergency Rental Deposit Loan Program
The Emergency Rental Deposit Loan Program provides an interest-free repayable loan for first and last month’s rent deposit to households where changes in economic situation necessitate a move to more affordable housing. Coming up with last month’s rent can be a barrier to finding new housing when your income is low. This program will help about 450 households in market housing. As well, homeowners facing foreclosure who meet eligibility criteria and need assistance to move to more affordable rental accommodation can access this program. People receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Payments are not eligible and should seek assistance from their income support worker.

To access the program, call the Rent Bank Central Office, Neighbourhood Information Post, 416-924-2543 to leave your name and phone number; or put this information in an email to torontorentbank@nipost.org

Information on other Rent Bank Programs

• Provincial Rent Bank Program