Simcoe County, Corporation of - Social Housing - Housing Retention Program

The Housing Retention Fund (HRF) provides financial assistance to eligible residents of Simcoe County to help with:

• Rental or mortgage arrears

• Utility arrears (hydro, gas, propane and oil)

• First Month's Rent (FMR) - issued only to ODSP recipients receiving basic needs

• Last Month's Rent (LMR)

• Moving and/or storage costs

Singles or couples may be eligible for up to $1,500 within a 24-month period pending eligibility criteria is met.

Families may be eligible for up to $3,500 within a 24-month period pending eligibility criteria is met.

Assistance will be considered based on individual circumstance and available funding. Applications are completed over the phone.

The Housing Retention Fund (HRF) is funded by the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) and aims to provide financial assistance to eligible residents of Simcoe County, including recipients of social assistance and low-income families who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness.

• Additional information (lease agreement, 30-day bank statements, N4 Form - Notice to End your Tenancy Early for Non-payment of Rent, disconnection notice, quotes etc.) may be required for the application.
• Applicants will be advised of the required documentation which can be submitted in person or via e-mail.
• Once the information is received, a caseworker will call the applicant to determine eligibility. Processing times do vary.
• If an applicant requires the support of a community agency to complete any part of the application, consent from the applicant is required.

For utility arrears:
• A disconnection notice in the applicant's name is required
• An application to LEAP must be submitted (Low-income Energy Assistance Program | Ontario Energy Board)
• Assistance with propane, oil and wood, a quote along with the supplier's information will be requested
  For rental arrears:
• N4 notice is required
  First and Last Month's Rent:
• Must be moving within 30 days, a resident of Simcoe and staying within Simcoe County
  

• Utilities/rental arrears assistance is only issued once per address
• Total housing costs must be sustainable compared to monthly income
• Storage expenses may be issued for applicants that are unhoused or in temporary accommodations
  NOTE:
• HRF does not reimburse expenses already paid
• Fund can only be used once every 2 years - if client has used program before they must wait 24 months to apply again
• Fund cannot be used multiple times for the same address, regardless of time in between application