Applying for Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing

To apply for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing, create an online account in MyAccesstoHousingTO. Through your online account, you can apply for and manage your application for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing in Toronto. 

MyAccesstoHousingTO provides a convenient and secure way to manage your application on your smartphone, tablet or computer. In your MyAccesstoHousingTO account, you can: 

  • view the status of your application 
  • receive notifications and important updates 
  • view and update information including adding household members, or change your contact information 
  • upload required supporting documents, including Status in Canada documents, signed Consent and Declaration Form and Notice of Assessment 
  • participate in the new choice-based housing offer process 

If you need additional support with your application or you are a newcomer in need of assistance, go to Help for RGI Applicants.

To complete your application, you will need: 

  • a valid Canadian status document for all household members 
  • your most recent Notice(s) of Assessment, for all household members 16 years of age and older  

Secondary school students: 

  • a letter from the principal or registrar 
  • a certified timetable  

Post-secondary students: 

  • a document from a funding agency that outlines the name of the educational institution and the number of courses the student is taking  
  • a confirmation of enrolment prepared by an educational institution 
  • a receipt from the educational institution showing the tuition fees paid  
  • digitally signed Consent and Declaration for all household members 16 years of age and older through the “Sign and Submit” section 

While completing your application, you can express interest in the City’s Commercial Rent Supplement program, which provides an RGI subsidy to eligible households in specific private market rental buildings. Eligibility rules for the program are the same as RGI in social or co-operative housing, which are set by the Province of Ontario under the Housing Services Act.

The program:

  • partners with private market landlords that own and manage the buildings to secure rent supplement units
  • supports eligible households on the Centralized Waiting List to access Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing and maintain their benefit
  • ensures timely and accurate subsidy payments to landlords

Applicants interested in the program must select the ward(s) they are interested in when applying for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing. This will add them to the waiting list for all rent supplement units within those wards. Once an applicant reaches the top of the Centralized Waiting List and housing becomes available, City staff will contact the applicant to make an offer.

Applicants are then provided the address of the RGI unit for viewing and will have the opportunity to choose whether they want to accept or refuse the offer. If the offer is accepted, the landlord must also approve the applicant.

The City:

  • calculates the RGI portion of the rent
  • pays the RGI subsidy to the landlord (the difference between the market rent and the RGI tenant’s rent)
  • conducts annual reviews
  • signs legal agreements with landlords participating in the program, which outline the funding relationship and obligations of the City and landlord

Once a household moves in tenants pay their portion of the rent directly to the landlord. There are approximately 2,500 housing units in the Commercial Rent Supplement program secured through agreements with approximately 200 landlords.

To request a modified unit, or an additional bedroom for an overnight caregiver or storing eligible medical equipment, you and your physician must complete the appropriate form:

Caregivers or home care agencies may need to submit additional forms. Please ensure you upload the completed form(s) to your MyAccesstoHousingTO account.

Due to the Canada Post labour dispute, Access to Housing recognizes this may delay mail delivery. Access to Housing will continue to receive and process applications and forms.

Ways to submit documents:

  • Upload applications and documents  through your MyAccesstoHousingTO online applicant portal
  • Visit a Housing Help Centre for support with uploading your documents
  • Drop off your documents at our office located at 176 Elm Street, Toronto.

Access to Housing accepts documents by mail. Our mailing address is:

176 Elm Street

Toronto, ON

M5T 3M4

Documents received by mail can take up to 4 weeks to be received and processed. You may contact the Application Support Centre at 416-338-8888, press 1 for housing and follow the prompts to confirm if your document has been received.

If you require an application or a form to be mailed to you, contact the Application Support Centre.

For additional support, go to Help for RGI Applicants.