Temporary Rent Relief Assistance Program (July - December 2021)

What is the Temporary Rent Relief Assistance Program?

The Temporary Rent Relief Assistance Program is a subsidy paid to the landlord on behalf of a household in need of rental assistance due to fluctuations of income caused by many factors including COVID-19. The intent of this program is to provide temporary rent subsidy to support, stabilize and secure the housing needs of individuals and household impacted by COVID-19. This a temporary program that is available on a first-come first-serve basis until funds are depleted.

Who is offering the Temporary Rent Relief Assistance Program?

The City of Cornwall Housing Programs will provide a rental subsidy of up to 70% of the total rent for qualifying households.

Rent subsidy calculation is based on the household income and the subsidy will be paid directly to the landlord as of the approval date of the application until December 31, 2021. The final date for applications was December 10, 2021.

Do you Qualify?

In order to qualify for the Temporary Rent Relief Assistance Program:

• The annual gross household income for your unit size must not exceed the limits below.
• The maximum monthly rent that is payable by you for your unit size.

Maximum Household Income Limits:

• 1 bedroom $39,600
• 2 bedrooms $47,400
• 3+ bedrooms $52,200

Maximum Rents Payable by Tenant:

• 1 bedroom $1,036
• 2 bedrooms $1,309
• 3+ bedrooms $1,791

Note: Your household liquid assets (cash, bank accounts, investments that can be easily converted to cash) must not exceed $40,000.

Questions

• Please contact the Housing Access Centre at 613-933-6282 ext 3315 or by email at housingprograms@cornwall.ca.

 Social Housing (RGI) Program

Social Housing refers to rental housing developed with the assistance of government and subsidized by government for people with low to moderate incomes, seniors, or people with special needs who can live, with supports, in the community.

Subsidies are based on the tenants' ability to pay, with rents calculated at approximately 30% of gross monthly household income up to market rent.  This is known as Rent Geared To Income.

The Division also administers Social Housing Centralized Waitlist.  If you are eligible, you will be placed on the waitlist.  Most people need to find their own rental housing in the private market while they are on the wait list as it can be a long wait.

Please click here to learn more about the Social Housing (Rent Geared to Income) Program.

 Rent Supplement Program

A Rent Supplement is a nominal subsidy paid to the landlord on behalf of a household in need of rental assistance.

Please click here to learn more about the Rent Supplement Program.

Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit

The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) is a federal-provincial housing allowance program.  The purpose of the COHB program is to increase the affordability of rental housing by providing an income-tested, Portable Housing Benefit (PHB) payment directly to eligible households in housing need that are on, or are eligible to be on, social housing waiting lists and to households in housing need living in community housing.

Please click here to learn more about the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit.

 Ontario Renovates Program

Ontario Renovates is a forgivable loan / grant program for low-to-moderate income homeowners in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. This program is being delivered with funding from the federal and provincial governments.

This program provides financial assistance in the form of a 10 year forgivable loan to make essential home repairs, and/or a grant to increase a homeowner's accessibility, up to a maximum of $12,000 (including $5,000.00 for accessibility and approved administrative costs).

Please click here to learn more about the Ontario Renovates Program.

 Domiciliary Program

The Housing Access Centre works closely with a number of privately operated, permanent residences for people who require assistance with their activities of daily living.

Financial assistance may be available for eligible individuals who have a need for Domiciliary Care but are not able to cover the costs.  It is intended to ‘top-up’ the income of residents.

There are 3 primary factors in determining and approving eligibility for subsidy for placement in a Domiciliary Hostel:

• Medical Need
• Financial Need
• Appropriateness of placement

There are established agreements with numerous domiciliary hostels within the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of S.D.&G.

Please click here to learn more about the Domiciliary Program.

 Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP)

Through the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, financial assistance may be available to eligible individuals, to assist with the cost of expenses to help maintain a permanent residence, rather than face eviction and homelessness.

Please click here to learn more about the Homelessness Prevention Program.

 Ten Year Housing Plan 

The City of Cornwall’s Housing Programs has developed a Ten Year Housing Plan for the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.  This local Plan is a high level strategic plan focused on the whole spectrum of housing in our service area that responds to local circumstance and to those specific needs with innovative community-based solutions.

Please click here to learn more about the Ten Year Housing Plan.

You can also view the 2024 Community Housing & Homelessness Plan by clicking here.

 Enumeration 

Homeless enumeration is a count of the minimum number of people who are experiencing homelessness in a community over a specific period of time. Enumeration involves gathering information about the demographic characteristics, circumstances, and needs of those experiencing homelessness in our communities.

Please click here to learn more about Enumeration.

Housing Revitalization Plan

The results of this review and evaluation can be found in the Housing Revitalization Plan.

Cornwall SDG Human Services Department is the Service Manager for both the City of Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. There are a total for 1,643 community housing units for seniors, single and family units across 35 properties.

A review of the current community housing stock took place along with an evaluation of housing needs throughout the service area of Cornwall SDG.