Choice-Based Housing Offer Process

The City has implemented a new way to access Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing in Toronto called the choice-based housing offer process.

 

The following groups of applicants have been invited to participate in choice-based:

  • those with an application date December 31, 2015 and earlier
  • seniors with an application date December 31, 2017 and earlier

The average wait time per unit size can be found in the Average Wait Times section.

Watch this video to learn more about the new housing offer process:

With the choice-based housing offer process, as an applicant, you will be able to:

  • see detailed information in your MyAccesstoHousingTO about available buildings and units, including photos, move-in dates and accessibility features
  • choose units of interest
  • make a more informed decision when selecting a unit
  • sign up to receive email notifications when new information is posted

Before you can be invited to participate in the choice-based housing offer process, you must:

  • complete an RGI application in MyAccesstoHousingTO, and
  • submit a Notice of Assessment, for all household members 16 years of age and older.

If you are already on the Centralized Waiting List, you will need to register in MyAccesstoHousingTO using the code that was mailed to you. If you have not received a code, please call the Application Support Centre at 416-338-8888, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Receiving an invitation to participate in a choice-based cycle will be based on:

AND

  • the date you applied for RGI housing (oldest applications will be invited first).

You will receive an invitation to participate in the choice-based process at the email address you provided on your application.

Once you have been invited to participate in Choice-Based, you will receive notifications through MyAccesstoHousingTO about choice-based cycles.

Choice-based housing offer cycles work as follows:  

  • Every two weeks, the City will post available vacancies for units in MyAccesstoHousingTO.
  • Applicants will receive an email inviting them to participate in the next choice-based cycle.
    • Email invites will go out to eligible applicants based on their application date and priority status (if applicable).
  • Applicants will receive an email notification letting them know when a cycle is starting, asking them to log into MyAccesstoHousingTO to participate in a choice-based cycle by reviewing available units and expressing interest. Applicants can express interest in as many units that meet their household’s needs.
  • Applicants will receive an email notification letting them know when a cycle is closing. This email will serve as a reminder about the deadline to express interest or change an expression of interest.
  • Once the cycle is closed (and applicants can no longer express interest in a unit), for each available unit:
    • The applicant who expresses interest and is closest to the top of the waiting list will receive a notification in MyAccesstoHousingTO and by email and can expect to hear from a housing provider within two business days.
  • The remaining applicants (those who do not receive a housing offer) will receive an email advising them of the outcome.
  • Applicants who express interest and do not receive a housing offer at the end of a cycle will get the opportunity to express interest in available units in future cycles or can choose to wait.
  • Applicants on the Centralized Waiting List must express interest in units in order to be considered for housing. If this is not done, they will not receive a housing offer.

During a choice-based cycle, as an applicant, you can expect to receive notifications in MyAccesstoHousingTO and by email that let you know when:

  • a cycle is starting, and you can begin accessing available vacancy information
  • a cycle is ending, and your deadline to express interest or change an expression of interest is coming up
  • you are the top-ranked applicant (to let you know you can expect a call from the housing provider with an offer)
  • a summary of the cycle’s outcome is available

Once you’ve received your invitation to participate in the choice-based housing offer process:

  1. Log onto MyAccesstoHousingTO to receive your invitation.
  2. View available units that you are eligible for under ‘Current Cycle’
  3. Vacancy postings will include information about the building (e.g. a photo, recreational facilities, security features, and accessibility information) and detailed information about vacant units (e.g. move-in date, unit photos, a floor plan, accessibility information, parking, storage and utilities).
  4. Express interest using MyAccesstoHousingTO by selecting units that meet your household needs.

The video below will teach you step-by-step how to participate in the choice-based housing offer process and express interest in available units in the MyAccesstoHousingTO applicant portal.

Visit MyAccesstoHousingTO to view available vacancies (units) every two weeks.

Vacancy postings will include full descriptions of the buildings and units that are available, including amenity information, accessibility features and move-in dates.

Once you have reviewed the building and unit information provided, you can choose to express interest in as many units that meet your household needs

To express interest in an available unit (vacancy) you will need to log onto your MyAccesstoHousingTO and choose vacancies that meet your household’s needs.

Expressing interest is as easy as checking the box next to units you have reviewed and for which you are interested in receiving a housing offer.

It is important to note that:

  1. If you are interested in a vacancy, you will need to participate by expressing interest in a unit in order to receive a housing offer.
  2. Selecting a vacancy may result in you receiving a housing offer.

If you have expressed interest in a vacancy and are at the top of the waiting list (based on your RGI application date and priority status, if applicable) for that building, a housing provider will contact you by phone with an offer of housing.

At the end of a two-week choice-based cycle, for each available unit:

  • The applicant who expresses interest and is closest to the top of the waiting list will receive a housing offer.
  • If you don’t receive a housing offer, you will receive an email that advises you of the outcome.

Please note, if you don’t receive an offer at the end of a choice-based cycle, you will get the opportunity to express interest in available units in future cycles.

Important information:

  • When a cycle closes, the top-ranked applicant can expect to be contacted by a housing provider within two to three business days.
  • Please ensure that all your contact information is up-to-date.
  • If you do not respond to an offer this is considered a refusal. If an offer of housing is refused you will be removed from the Centralized Waiting List.
  • If you have received a message from the housing provider, you will have two business days to respond.
  • Once you accept the offer of housing you will be scheduled to go see the unit.
  • A leasing appointment will be set up and all members of the household 16 years of age and older must be present at the lease signing.
  • You can then prepare to move in to your new unit!

In compliance with the Housing Services Act, the City moved to a Single Offer Rule in 2022. This means that as of January 1, 2022, you will be eligible to receive only one offer of suitable RGI housing. If you refuse this offer, you will be removed from the Centralized Waiting List. While you are eligible to re-apply, you will receive a new application date and will start at the bottom of the Centralized Waiting List. If your file is cancelled due to a refusal you 30 days to request a review of the decision.

If you have expressed interest in a vacancy and are not at the top of the waiting list for that building:

  • You will receive a notification with the outcome of that cycle.
  • You will be informed of upcoming cycles when they begin.
  • You can choose to participate in future choice-based cycles until you are housed.

The average wait time per unit size is shown in the following table:

 

Unit Size Average chronological applicant time on waitlist*
Studio – Senior 8 years
Studio 10 years
1 bedroom 14 years
2 bedroom 13 years
3+bedroom 15 years

*Information is based on 2022 data.

Have questions about the choice-based housing offer process or need help? Visit the Access to Housing page for more information including where to access free WiFi or get help through a Housing Help Centre or community agency partner.