Date Issued Effective Date
May 15, 2007 Immediately

Applicability to Social Housing Programs

The policies and procedures in this City Guideline are to be implemented under the following programs.

Applicability Program
X Housing Providers, Section 103 & 106
Federal Non-Profit Housing, Section 26/27
Federal Non-Profit Housing, Section 95
X Rent Supplement Programs for Sections 26, 27, 95 and New Affordable Housing Providers
Toronto Community Housing Corporation

Please note: If your program is not checked, this City Guideline does not apply to your project.

Background

In November 2005, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued a number of amendments to Regulations 298 and 339 of the Social Housing Reform Act (SHRA).  Section 21.(1)(5) of Regulation 339 was changed as noted below.

“The lease or agreement must be executed by every individual,

  1. whose income is taken into consideration in determining the amount of rent payable by the household, or who is a member of the household and at least 16 years of age, if the service manager so requires.”

This means that either,

  • everyone 16 and older must sign the lease, or
  • everyone 16 and older, whose income is included when calculating rent, must sign the lease.

The City has decided to allow housing providers to set their own policy or by-law that meets one of the options listed above.

Action Required

1. All housing providers must develop and adopt a policy or by-law that specifies who must sign the lease or occupancy agreement.
2. Housing providers must apply the policy consistently to all households.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact your Housing Consultant or HSS:

Housing Stability Services
Shelter, Support & Housing Administration
City of Toronto
Metro Hall, 55 John Street, 6th floor
Toronto, ON M5V 3C6
Telephone: 416-392-4126
Email: HSS@toronto.ca
Website: www.toronto.ca/socialhousing