Assisted Housing
Assisted Housing
Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH)
About assisted housing
Apply now
Additional resources
Rent supplement program
Rent supplements reduce the cost of housing for qualified low income individuals and families. Landlords sign an agreement to provide RGI units to the program, and Halton Region places eligible applicants from the HATCH waitlist in the available units. The housing subsidy provided through the program is paid directly to the landlord. Tenants pay their part of the rent, based on their household income, directly to their landlord.
Tenants pay their part of the rent, based on their household income, directly to their landlord.
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit
The Canada Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) program provides low-income households with an immediate need a portable housing benefit to assist with rental costs in their private market rent housing. The benefit is tied to the household and can be used to help pay rent anywhere in Ontario.
Below market rent programs
Below market rent programs provide low-income households with a rental unit that is less than the average market rent in Halton Region.
How to apply
To apply for all assisted housing programs you need to submit a Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH) Application (PDF file). Call 311 to have an application mailed to you. Review the searchable RGI housing database to assist you with your HATCH application.
Priority applications and other forms
Some applicants may have special circumstances that warrant specific housing criteria or an expedited application process. If any of the conditions below apply to you, make sure to submit the additional form with your HATCH application.
- Provincial Priority Household Verification Form (PDF file) - the Special Priority Policy (SPP) category for recent survivors of domestic violence/human trafficking allows applicants to move ahead of all other applicants on the Halton Access to Community Housing (HATCH) centralized waiting list. They are ranked chronologically among other SPP status applicants
- Terminal Illness Priority Application (PDF file) - applicants on the HATCH waitlist can apply for priority if they are terminally ill with less than 2 years life expectancy.
- Medical Request Form for Wheelchair Accessible Unit (PDF file) - applicants on the HATCH waitlist with a permanent medical need can apply for a wheelchair accessible unit.
- Medical Request Form for Additional Bedroom (PDF file) - applicants on the HATCH waitlist with a permanent medical need can apply for an additional bedroom.
- Support Services Screening Form (PDF file) - screening form to be added to the HATCH waitlist for locations offering support services for personal care (up to 1.5 hours of daily personal care with things like showering, getting dressed and medication management).
- Building Selections Form (PDF file) - this form allows you to review the HATCH building selections list while you wait for an offer of housing. You may send any changes to your current HATCH building selections by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca .
Subsidized housing eligibility
Requirements
Proof of income and status
Updating your application
Updating your information
If your HATCH application is approved, you must keep your information up to date.
HATCH will ask you to complete an application update form every other year. If you do not complete the update by the deadline, HATCH will cancel your application.
In addition to the update, you are responsible for notifying HATCH of all changes in your family size, income and asset amounts and building selections. Please report changes within 30 days.
HATCH applicants receive only one offer of housing. Your application will be cancelled if you refuse a housing offer or the offers is made based on outdated application information.
Frequently asked questions
It is not possible to provide a specific wait time.
Criteria used to place individuals and families changes regularly. Halton Region must follow provincial government regulations, which means the date on your application is not the only information used for placement on our wait list. The waiting time can sometimes take several years for units highest in demand, such as for single non-senior individuals.
Flexibility is important. The greater number of communities and properties selected, the shorter the wait times tend to be.
The housing provider will contact you when they reach your name on the wait list. At that time, the housing provider may:
- Complete credit and landlord checks
- Call you for an interview
- Require you to have a good credit rating and landlord references
All housing providers are bound by government legislation. These regulations govern the relationships between landlords and tenants and cover issues that may affect your tenancy.
- All housing providers must comply with: Ontario Human Rights Code (external link)
- All non-profit & public housing providers must abide by: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (external link)
- All housing co-ops are governed by: Co-operative Corporations Act (external link)
- Information about your rights: Landlord and Tenant Board (external link)
- General information: Co-Operative Housing Federation of Canada (external link)
- Rent-geared-to-income - People living in assisted housing pay a rent based on 30% of their household income (before taxes). Adjustments are made depending on utility coverage included with the rental unit.
- Market Rent - These housing providers compare rents in the private sector for similar units. You will pay a comparable rate to these units.
- Utilities - Some housing communities in Halton include utilities in the rent. Units metered separately, such as townhouses, may require the tenant to pay for some or all of the utilities (hydro, water, and gas).
Many social housing providers in Halton offer accommodations suitable for wheelchair users. Check the details section of each listing to see the number and type of wheelchair accessible units.
Supportive housing helps seniors live independently. We provide help with everyday activities such as:
- Personal care - bathing, basic hygiene, preventative skin care
- Personal support - dressing/undressing, reminders to take medicine etc.
- Homemaking services - light housekeeping and laundry
To apply, please include the Supportive Housing Application with your HATCH application form. HATCH will forward your request to the Supportive Housing Provider who will evaluate your needs.