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Safe and affordable housing is fundamental for Ontarians striving to build a strong future for their families and their communities. Through our Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy, the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program and other programs and services, Ontario is working to improve access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing, so that the people of Ontario have a solid foundation on which to secure employment, raise families and build strong communities.

Programs & Services

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Find Help
Find out about affordable housing programs and support. To apply for social housing contact your local Municipal Service Managers.

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Building Foundations: Building Futures
Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy
We are developing a new, long-term housing strategy to make it easier for Ontario families to find and maintain affordable housing.

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Affordable Housing
Find out about the province’s accomplishments in creating more affordable housing for Ontarians.

Affordable Housing projects

Affordable Housing by Region

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Resources for Housing Providers
Resources for Municipal Service Managers.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about affordable housing.

Progress to Date

Investment in Affordable Housing (2011-14)

The Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) program represents a combined investment of $481 million from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

The IAH program will provide funding to create and repair affordable housing, and provide rental and down payment assistance to make housing more affordable.

Municipal partners will be allocated a set amount of funds which may be used to address local housing priorities.

Funds may be used for:

  • Rental Housing – funding for the construction of new affordable rental units.
  • Homeownership – down payment assistance for low-income households considering the purchase of a home.
  • Northern Repair – assistance for repairs and renovations to individual homes and multi-unit buildings in Northern Ontario.
  • Ontario Renovates – assistance for repairs and renovations to maintain the affordability and improve accessibility of individual dwelling units and multi-unit buildings.
  • Rent Supplement – subsidies for landlords to reduce the cost of rental units available to low-income tenants.
  • Housing Allowance - subsidies for low-income tenants in rental units.
  • Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing – a specific portion of funds are dedicated to this component and will be delivered by Aboriginal Program Administrators.

Affordable Housing Program Extension (2009)

The Affordable Housing Program Extension (2009) is a two-year program that ended on March 31, 2011. Progress as of October 31, 2011 under the AHP Extension (2009) is:

  • New Rental Housing units 4,553
    • occupied…1,671
    • under construction…2,882
  • Homeownership units…910
    • occupied…867
    • under construction/purchase & sale agreement…43
  • Northern units…1,101
    • occupied/repair completed…774
    • under construction/repair…327

Social Housing Retrofit and Repair Program

Over two years, the province will invest $704 million to repair social housing units and make them more energy efficient under the Social Housing Renovation and Retrofit Program. Over 172,000 units have already been improved under Social Housing Retrofit and Repair Program.

Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families (ROOF)

The Rental Opportunity for Ontario Families Program will invest up to $185 million to provide assistance to working families paying more than 30 per cent of their income towards rent. The 35,000 families participating in the program receive immediate relief by reducing the proportion of household income spent on rent and free-up up to $100 per month for other family expenses such as food and clothing.

Payments to eligible families started to flow in January 2008.

Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (2005)

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program (AHP) is the largest affordable housing program in Canadian history. There are four components of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Agreement, 2005:

  • Rental and Supportive
  • Homeownership
  • Northern
  • Housing Allowances

Together with our municipal partners and federal partner, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, we have made the following progress as of October 31, 2011.

15,058 units are underway under the Affordable Housing Program (2005).

  • New Rental and Supportive Units – 10,078
    • 8,226 units are occupied.
    • 1,846 units are under construction.
    •      6 units are in planning approvals.
  • Homeownership Units – 3,185
    • 3,185 units are occupied.
  •  Northern Housing Units – 1,795
    • 1,748 units are occupied.
    •     47 units are under construction/repair.
  • Housing Allowance - 36 participating Service Managers have committed to deliver housing allowances for up to 3,721 units.

The Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program Agreement (2005) is comprised of an investment of at least $734 million by the federal and provincial and municipal governments.

Delivering Opportunities for Ontario Renters

In (date) the Ontario government provided municipalities $127 million to fund the creation or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing units.

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