City of Toronto   *
HomeContact UsHow Do I...? Advanced search Go
Living in TorontoDoing businessVisiting TorontoAccessing City Hall *
*
*
 
blue bullet Housing portal
blue bullet Shelter, Support and Housing Administration
blue bullet Affordable Housing
blue bullet Social housing
blue bullet Housing Connections
blue bullet City Planning
blue bullet Municipal Licensing and Standards
   
   
*
*
* * Housing information "housed" here *
* * * * * *
* *
views of Toronto
 *

Looking for a place to live in Toronto?

  • Housing news
  • Choosing a neighbourhood
  • Home buyers/renters
  • Affordable housing & Social Housing
  • Alternative housing
  • Supportive/Special Needs Housing
  • Funding for housing repairs
  • Housing for Seniors
  • Housing Help Services
  • Emergency housing
    		•  *
    * * * * * *
    * * Housing news *
    * * * * * *
    * *

    Housing is a human right
    The City of Toronto, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario and the Human Rights Legal Support Centre have joined forces promote Housing as Human Right and encourage people to learn more about exercising that right. Through a poster campaign in bus shelters across the city, the four partners are encouraging tenants and landlords to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities. The campaign builds on the Toronto Housing Charter – Opportunity for All, which is a key component of Housing Opportunities Toronto – An Affordable Housing Action Plan 2010 -2020.

    		 *
    * * Choosing a neighbourhood *
    * * * * * *
    * * The City of Toronto has a web page dedicated to demographic information about the City of Toronto that includes neighbourhood profiles that provide information relating to the City's population, human services and demography. There's also an interactive map that identifies public services (e.g. libraries, transit etc.).

    Back to top

    		 *
    * * Home buyers / Renters *
    * * * * * *
    * * The Toronto Real Estate Board has about 23,000 members and thousands of listings and other valuable information about purchasing a house or condominium in one of the city's many neighbourhoods.
    Planning to Rent?
    A good starting point is Your Guide to Renting a Home, by Canada Mortgage and Housing, the federal government's national housing agency. The agency is also a good source of information about local market rents and vacancy rates.
    Toronto Planning Division
    Toronto's supply of housing is very diverse, with renters and owners each comprising about half of the City's households. However, there are significant gaps in the supply of particular kinds of housing, including affordable and supportive housing. Toronto Planning Division lays out the facts about housing.

    Back to top

    		 *
    * * Affordable housing & Social Housing *
    * * * * * *
    * * What is affordable rental housing?
    Rents that are at or below Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's average market rent, as determined each October, are considered to be "affordable" under the City of Toronto's Official Plan definition. For example, the current average market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto is $1,135.

    However, through investments by the federal and provincial governments and the City of Toronto, new affordable housing developments offer homes at below average market rent. View a list of affordable homes now under construction.

    Back to top

    		 *
    * * Alternative housing *
    * * * * * *
    * * "Alternative housing" is a type of non-profit housing with a mandate to house the homeless and those who are hard-to-house because of mental health or addiction issues. Alternative housing providers are not required to use the centralized waiting list to fill their vacancies. For a list of alternative housing providers, go to www.211toronto.ca

    Back to top

    		 *
    * * Supportive Housing/Special Needs Housing *
    * * * * * *
    * * Supportive housing (also referred to as alternative housing or transitional housing) offers support services onsite to assist tenants to live independently. When a client's circumstances warrant it, a more permanent housing solution is sought.

    For example, some providers will offer support for youth, people with substance abuse problems, women fleeing abusive situations, or people living with HIV or AIDS. Providers are not required to use the centralized waiting list. The best source of information about services available is from the a housing provider directly.

    Back to top

    		*
    * * Funding for Housing Repairs *
    * * * * * *
    * * The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) is a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) affordable housing program for low-and-modest income households, which provides funding for housing repairs, housing modifications for disabled residents, creating secondary suites and converting non-residential buildings into new rental housing.

    Back to top

    		*
    * * Housing for Seniors *
    * * * * * *
    * *

    Back to top

    		*
    * * Housing Help Services *
    * * * * * *
    * *
    • People who want to apply for rent-geared-to-income housing should ensure they are on the centralized waiting list managed by Housing Connections
    • Those who need assistance to fill out housing applications or want advice about housing options should visit their local Housing Help Centres

    Back to top

    		*
    * * Emergency housing *
    * * * * * *
    * * The City maintains more than 4,000 shelter beds either directly or through community agencies under contract. This is managed by Shelter, Support & Housing Administration. For a complete list of shelters and other services for people who do not have housing see the Guide to Services.

    People suffering domestic violence may want to seek shelter in special facilities where staff is trained for such situations.

    If you are a refugee seeking housing and assistance, visit http://www.settlement.org/site/HO/emergencyshelter.asp
    In the event a disaster, the Emergency Planning and Management Unit of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration is charged with assisting people and their pets with shelter, food, clothing, registration and inquiry, and personal services. The unit works closely with Toronto's Office of Emergency Management, fire, police, public health and other City services and community partners.

    Back to top

    		 *
    		* *
    * * *
    Need Help? * Need help?
    *
    Social Housing * Social Housing
    *
    Affordable Housing * Affordable Housing
    *
    Housing Connections * Housing Connections
    *

    Quick Links
    blue bullet Welcome Home, a guide to services for new tenants
    blue bullet Affordable housing office
    blue bullet Tied in Knots: Unlocking the Potential of Social Housing Communities in Toronto
    blue bullet Immigration & Settlement Portal
    blue bullet Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT)
     
    *Toronto maps | Get involved | Toronto links | 311 | Comment | Subscribe | Privacy statement
    *    		 © City of Toronto 1998-2011