Commercial Rent Supplement Program for RGI Housing

The City administered Commercial Rent Supplement (CRS) Program is an option for those on the Centralized Waiting List for rent-geared-to-income housing. The CRS program provides a rent-geared-to-income subsidy that can be used in specific private market rental buildings. 

The Commercial Rent Supplement Program:  

  • Works with private landlords to secure RGI units under a rent supplement agreement
  • Ensures timely and accurate subsidy payments to landlords
  • Supports households in maintaining RGI benefits  

      If interested in being considered for the Commercial Rent Supplement Program, you must first apply for the Rent-Geared-to-Income housing through MyAccesstoHousingTO and also choose preferred housing location(s) by City Ward.

      Steps to Apply

      1. Log in to your MyAccesstoHousingTO account.
      2. In the “Housing Type” section of the application dashboard, select Rent Supplement under the “Status” tab.
      3. Go to the “Building Complex” tab.
      4. In the “Municipality” field, choose “Toronto”.
      5. In the “Ward” field, select the City Ward(s) that you would like to live in.

      If you are receiving a Commercial Rent Supplement, you are required to: 

      • Report any income changes of 20% or more, and/or any changes in household composition within 30 days.
      • Complete an annual review every 12 months. 

        Report a Change

        You must report any of the following changes to the City within 30 days of the change:

        • If your landlord served a N1 – Notice of Rent Increase, or a Above Guideline Increase (AGI) Approved Order 
        • A change in your household composition (i.e. someone is added or removed from your household)  
        • Changes to a household member’s status as a full-time student  
        • If your employment income exceeds the non-benefits income limit while also receiving social assistance (OW or ODSP)
        • A member of the household starts or stops receiving social assistance (OW or ODSP)  
        • A member of the household has their income taxes reassessed or additionally assessed and receives a revised Notice of Assessment (NOA) 

                  Requesting an In-Year Review

                  If your household experiences a serious long-term event that reduces total net income by at least 20%, you may request an In-Year Review.

                  This can include:

                  • Job loss (seasonal employment gaps do not qualify) 
                  • Permanent change from full-time to part-time hours 
                  • Transition from employment to social assistance or retirement 

                      Email any changes or serious long-term event to: housingprograms@toronto.ca. 

                      To continue receiving your rent supplement, you must complete an annual review once per calendar year. 

                      You will require the following forms for an Annual Review:  

                      • Annual Household Income Review Form (Completed)  
                      • Consent & Declaration for RGI Review (Signed)  
                      • Annual Household Asset Declaration Form (Completed & Signed)  

                          The annual review must be completed prior to your anniversary date – the date you took occupancy of your CRS unit, or the date of your last annual review. All household members 16 years of age and older must sign the forms. 

                          Annual Renewal by Mail

                          Completed forms must be signed by all household members 16 years of age and older and submitted with all required documentation. Submit completed forms to the CRS program by: 

                          • Email: housingprograms@toronto.ca  
                          • Fax, Mail or in-person: Use the fax number or mailing address listed at the top of the forms.  

                            Landlords must provide the City of Toronto with any legal notices related to CRS units by emailing housingprograms@toronto.ca. This includes but is not limited to:  

                            • Tenancy changes (30 days before effective date) 
                            • Notices of Rent Increase (N1) (90 days before effective date) 
                            • Above Guideline increase approved orders (90 days before effective date) 
                            • Notice of eviction (N4)   
                            • Any other Landlord and Tenant Board application  

                                    Households are selected for the Commercial Rent Supplement through the RGI Centralized Waiting List, as well as a separate waitlist for the Ward you selected in your application. An applicant’s place on the Centralized Waiting List is based on chronology, and can be influenced by other factors, including if they have an approved priority status. 

                                    All offers and subsequent processes will follow the same procedures as those used for other RGI units. At the time of offer, CRS landlords may conduct additional screening.