Date: January 1, 2023

This Directive is to be implemented by Housing Providers listed under the following programs in Schedule 1 of Ontario Regulation 367/11:

• 1 (a) – Local Housing Corporation
• 2 (a) and 2 (b) – Rent Supplement Programs
• 6 (a) – Non-Profit Program
• 6 (b) – Non-Profit Co-Op Program
• Social Housing Registry

Directives Archived and Replaced with This Directive

Directive H-22-01, Household Income Limits

Background

The Housing Services Act, 2011, section 42 (2) allows Service Manger to make local eligibility rules on prescribed matters set out in Ontario Regulation 367/11, sections 34-41.

Ontario Regulation 367/11, section 34 is a prescribed matter related to maximum household income allowed by households to be eligible for Rent-Geared-to-Income Assistance.  It states the local rule must provide that as listed four points below;

• Total household income is the total income as shown of each member combined for a 12-month period; and
• The income of each member is the sum of all payments made to, on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the members and which are included for the purpose of rent calculation; and
• The Household Income Limits may be different for units of different types, sizes, and location; and
• The Household Income Limits must be at least the Household Income Limits prescribed under Ontario Regulation 370/11.

In alignment with RGI calculation rules in Ontario Regulation 316/19, household income is based on net income (i.e., line 23600) as indicated on the notice of assessment of household members, less any Registered Disability Savings Plan income and plus any Registered Disability Savings Plan amounts repaid. Furthermore, the income of full-time students is excluded from determining household income.

In consultation with Housing Providers, the Service Manager has determined that the prescribed Household Income Limits shall be used to determine eligibility at initial occupancy only.  Should a household’s income increase above Household Income Limits during occupancy of a rent-geared-to-income unit, the household shall continue to be eligible for Rent-Geared-to-Income Assistance until their calculated rent is at or above the market rent for the unit for twenty-four consecutive months as set out in Directive H-20-05, Eligibility Rules for Rent-Geared-to-Income Assistance.

The Service Manager is required to report statistical data related to Rent-Geared-to-Income households with income below the Household Income Limits and High Needs income annually to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Action to be Taken

The Social Housing Registry shall use the prescribed Household Income Limits in determining a household’s eligibility to be placed on the Centralized Waiting List.  The Social Housing Registry and Housing Providers that collect income information from households prior to initial occupancy of a Rent-Geared-to-Income unit shall use the prescribed Household Income Limits to determine eligibility for the Rent-Geared-to-Income unit.

Housing Providers shall not consider Household Income Limits as an eligibility requirement for continued Rent-Geared-to-Income assistance.

Housing Providers shall use the prescribed Household Income Limits and prescribed High Needs income levels for statistical purposes only as required by the Service Manager to report in the report to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Ontario Regulation 370/11 Schedule 1 High Needs Households, the maximum annual household income for High Needs Housing is listed by unit type in the five listed points below;

• Bachelor unit – sixteen thousand five hundred dollars ($16,500)
• One bedroom unit – twenty-one thousand six hundred dollars ($21,600)
• Two bedroom unit – twenty-five thousand five hundred dollars ($25,500)
• Three bedroom unit – twenty-eight thousand eight hundred dollars ($28,800)
• Four bedroom unit or larger – thirty-five thousand seven hundred dollars ($35,700)

Ontario Regulation 370/11 Schedule 2 Household Income Limits, the maximum annual household income for Household Income Limits is listed by unit type in the five listed points below;

• Bachelor unit – twenty-seven thousand five hundred dollars ($27,500)
• One bedroom unit – thirty-six thousand dollars ($36,000)
• Two bedroom unit – forty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($42,500)
• Three bedroom unit – forty-eight thousand dollars ($48,000)
• Four bedroom unit or larger – fifty-nine thousand five hundred dollars ($59,500)

Reference

• Housing Services Act, 2011, section 40 – Service levels, rent-geared-to-income
• Housing Services Act, 2011, section 42 – Eligibility Rules
• Ontario Regulation 367/11, section 34 – Local rule – maximum household income
• Ontario Regulation 370/11, Schedule 1 – High Needs Households
• Ontario Regulation 370/11, Schedule 2 – Household Income Limits
• Ontario Regulation 316/19, section 6 - Adjusted Family Net Income
• Ontario Regulation 316/19, section 7 - Income from Employment

Ruth Noordegraaf
Director, Housing & Social Services Department

The following list of four individuals have received a copy of this Directive:

• Lanie Hurdle, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Kingston
• Alan McLeod, Acting Director, Legal Services & City Solicitor
• Housing Programs Administrators, Housing & Social Services Department
• Jannette Amini, County of Frontenac

If you have any questions, please contact a Housing Programs Administrator, Housing & Social Services Department.

362 Montreal Street,
Kingston, ON K7K 3H5

Phone: 613-546-2695 ext. 4864
Fax:  613-546-2623