Applying for Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing

Follow these steps to apply or update your information.

Go to MyAccesstoHousingTO. You can start a new application or update an existing one.

These documents help confirm your eligibility. Having them ready will make the process easier.

Required for Everyone

• Status in Canada document for every household member
• Income information including your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) for everyone aged 16 or older
• Asset declaration
• Signed Consent and Declaration form by every household member

Some Applicants May Need Additional Documents

• Students who are in secondary school will need:
  • A letter from the principal or registrar showing enrollment or
  • A certified timetable
• Students who are in post-secondary school will need:
  • A document from a funding agency that outlines the name of the educational institution and the number of courses the student is taking or
  • A confirmation of enrolment prepared by an educational institution or
  • A receipt from the educational institution showing the tuition fees paid
• Applicants with priority status may require additional specific forms
• Applicants seeking a modified unit (an accessible unit) or a modified unit with an additional bedroom will need medical or professional documentation that supports their accessibility needs

If You Don’t Have a Notice of Assessment (NOA)

You may be able to apply for a Notice of Assessment Waiver for several different reasons including but not limited to:

• You recently turned 16
• Are a newcomer to Canada with less than 12 months in the country
• You are a full-time student with proof of enrollment

The waiver allows your application to move forward temporarily without an NOA. You must provide your NOA within 12 months to stay eligible.

You can submit a request in your MyAccesstoHousingTO application to receive a one-year Notice of Assessment Waiver.

Housing for Specific Needs

Modified Units

To request a modified unit, or an additional bedroom for an overnight caregiver or storing eligible medical equipment, you will need to fill out the following forms with your healthcare or regulated professional and upload them to your MyAccesstoHousingTO account.

• Medical Request for Modified Unit (wheelchair-accessible)
• Medical Request for Additional Bedroom (includes optional caregiver sections)
• Caregivers or home care agencies may need to submit additional forms.

Seniors and Other Groups

There are Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI) buildings across the City that are for specific groups and cultural communities. Learn more about the housing providers, specific locations and how to confirm eligibility.

Priority Access Applicants

Determine if you qualify for Priority Access and which category and forms you will need.

Commercial Rent Supplement Program

The Commercial Rent Supplement (CRS) Program provides a rent-geared-to-income subsidy for those on the Centralized Waiting List that can be used in specific private market rental buildings. There are approximately 2,700 housing units in the Commercial Rent Supplement program, through agreements with approximately 200 landlords.

Applicants interested in the program must select the ward(s) they are interested in when applying for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing. You will be added 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.

How to Apply

If interested in the program, you will need to:

• Complete your RGI application through MyAccesstoHousingTO
• Navigate to the “Housing Type” section of your application dashboard
• Select “Rent Supplement” under “Status” tab

Learn more about the program.

After you submit your application, you are:

1. Checked for eligibility and if confirmed, then added to the Centralized Waiting List.
   • The average wait times can be long and are influenced by many factors such as your date of application and whether you have priority status. Applying does not guarantee immediate housing.
2. Required to maintain your application through the 24-month review to keep your spot on the Centralized Waiting List.
   • Each household member must upload their most recent Notice of Assessment and provide an updated asset declaration. 
3. When it’s your turn, you will be presented with an opportunity to participate in a Choice-Based cycle. 
   • Choice-based allows you to see detailed information about buildings, units, location, accessibility features and move-in dates.
   • You can express interest is as many housing units as you like through MyAccesstoHousingTO during the 2-week Choice-Based cycle.
   • If you express interest then based on where you are on the Centralized Waiting List, you could receive a housing offer.
4. If you receive a housing offer, you have one opportunity to accept. This is called the Single-Offer Rule.
   • If you refuse a housing offer, you will lose your place on the Centralized Waiting List.
   • You can re-apply, but will get a new application date and start at the bottom of the Centralized Waiting List. Or you can request a review of the Single-Offer Rule decision.

Note: By not updating your file, it may result in an inactive or cancelled application.

Need support? You can:

• Visit a Housing Help Centre for in-person support.
• Book an appointment at the Access to Housing Resource.
• Attend a MyAccesstoHousingTO Help Session.
  • Bring photo ID for identification verification.
• Access newcomer support through a Newcomer Service Kiosk.
• Get help at your local library if you need access to a computer or internet.

If you are unable to upload your documents online, you can mail them to:

Access to Housing
176 Elm Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M4