Housing Help Centre, The - Housing and Support Services

Housing help, including information and referral, advice on tenant rights and responsibilities, eviction prevention, assistance with housing search and subsidized housing application process

Landlord Recruitment Program
Matches tenants with landlords, includes free rental listings, and information on landlord and tenant rights

Toronto Rent Bank
Access centre for grants to pay off overdue rent to eligible applicants with rental arrears who are at risk of eviction; also gives grants to eligible applicants for first and last month's rent. For questions of eligibility, contact organization directly.

Utilities Program
Access centre for utilities assistance

• help with applications for Ontario Electricity Support Program providing reduced rates for electricity to lower-income customers
• help with applications for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) providing financial assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity or gas bills
• access to Toronto Emergency Energy Fund (EEF) providing one-time grant to help pay electricity and gas bills

Information Sessions
Group information sessions on topics including

• subsidized and market rate rental housing in Toronto
• tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities
• settlement/orientation information for newcomers to Canada
• financial information - banking, taxes, government benefits
• assistance programs that can be accessed at THHC - Toronto Rent Bank, Low-income Energy Assistance Programs (LEAP), Emergency Energy Fund (EEF) and Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

Settlement Program

• orientation and information sessions
• information and referral to education, employment and health services
• help with form filling
• citizenship test preparation classes