Families on Ontario Works live far below the poverty line. A single mother with an eight year old child living in a large city like Toronto and receiving Ontario Works benefits still lives more than $5,000 below the poverty line.
Source: 2008 Ontario Report Card on Child & Family Poverty
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Pathways to Affordable Housing
Come and find out about the proposed Housing Benefit as a pathway to Affordable Housing at an Election 2011 All Party Public Forum taking place on September 152011 from 7 to 9pm at The Hub @ Victoria Park. The event will feature an expert policy panel and local political candidates. Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what a Housing Benefit could mean for you.
Support An Ontario Housing Benefit
Do you have trouble paying the rent each month?
Are you a tenant spending more than 30% of income on rent?
Are you receiving assistance and paying more than the ‘shelter allowance’ on rent?
Would a new government benefit that pays, on average, $100/month help make ends meet?
If so, you’re not alone…
1 in every 5 Ontario tenant households spends over 50% of their income on rent.
Quebec & 3 other provinces provide a Housing Benefit to help low income tenants meet the gap between low incomes ….and high rents
It’s time for Ontario to bring in an Ontario Housing Benefit.
The Ontario government has committed to explore this proposal.
Add your voice to the growing call for the Ontario government to implement an Ontario Housing Benefit.
What is the proposed Ontario Housing Benefit?
Housing advocates are proposing a monthly benefit for low income tenants, based on your rent and income. It would pay part of the gap between your rent and 30% of your income.
On average it would pay about $120/month for families, and about $100/month for singles.
It would be paid to eligible low income tenants who are working, and those receiving social assistance. No clawbacks for assistance recipients.
A monthly payment, it would go directly to eligible tenants- not landlords
Who would receive the Ontario Housing Benefit?
If you’re a tenant receiving social assistance but paying more than the ‘shelter allowance’ on rent, you would be eligible.
If you’re a low income working family paying more than 30% of your income on rent (up to a ceiling), you would be eligible.
You would have to file your tax return to find out if you’re eligible (just like child benefits & GST credit)
Homeowners, seniors, post-secondary students and people living in ‘rent-geared-to-income’ housing would not be eligible.
Take Action and Support the Call for an Housing Benefit
Add YOUR voice to the growing call for all Ontario political parties to support the implementation of an Ontario Housing Benefit.
Get others to do the same. For the upcoming election, tell your provincial candidate to support an Ontario Housing Benefit.
