Applying for Social Housing or Portable Housing Benefits

St. Thomas‑Elgin Social Services is responsible for managing and funding subsidized housing for individuals, families, and seniors who have low to moderate incomes. This can be in the form of a rent geared to income unit, affordable housing unit, a portable housing benefit, or a rent supplement.

To receive subsidized housing, you are required to apply and be placed on the Central Wait List through St. Thomas Elgin Social Services’ Housing Stability Services. When a suitable housing unit, portable housing benefit or rent supplement becomes available, people on the wait list are contacted.

Please note that wait times can be very long, for example 10+ years, because there are currently many more people who need subsidized housing than there are units/funding.

ELIGIBILITY

You are required to meet certain conditions to be eligible for subsidized housing:

At least one member of your household must be 16 years of age or older and able to live independently.
You (and anyone living with you) are a Canadian citizen, or have applied for permanent residency, or are a refugee claimant.
There is no removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act against you or anyone living with you.
You do not owe money for rent or damages to a social housing provider, or you have an approved re-payment agreement in place.
No one living with you has a conviction for offences related to housing assistance.
You don’t already own a home that’s suitable for year-round living. If you do own one, you agree to sell it within 6 months of signing a lease. Its equity counts toward your asset limit and may disqualify you from being eligible.
Your assets are below the following:
- Singles $50,000
- Couples/Families/Seniors $75,000

HOW TO APPLY

St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services receives all applications. There are three ways to apply:

1. Online Application Portal (NEW): Using the Online Application Portal, you can enter and update your information, upload documents, and receive email updates. Your application will save automatically, allowing you to return to it later. A valid email address and internet access are required.

2. Complete a Housing Application: Complete or print the Application for Social and Affordable Housing. The completed application can be submitted by email to [email protected], mail, or in person to:

St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services
230 Talbot St.
St Thomas, ON N5P 1B2

Office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

3. Visit St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services: Visit us at the above address to receive a paper application.

SOCIAL HOUSING FORMS AND LINKS

SOCIAL HOUSING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

If your application is complete and all the required documents have been provided, you will receive a letter or email within 3 months confirming your eligibility for social housing. Your name will go on the waiting list for the housing providers you have selected based on the date your application was received.

Special Priority Status provides priority access to social and affordable housing vacancies for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. To apply for Special Priority Status, please complete the appropriate section on your application making sure to note the required documents needed.

Your unit size is based on occupancy standards according to the size of your household. As part of the application, you will be asked to select the social housing locations you are interested in. You will only receive ONE offer. Please only select buildings and communities you wish to live in.

Like many communities, St. Thomas-Elgin has a high demand for affordable housing, we cannot predict wait times which can often be up to multiple years depending on the number of places you select, and the bedroom sizes you are eligible for. Applicants with priority status will be housed sooner than applicants who do not have this status.

Once you reach the top of a housing provider's waiting list, the housing provider will contact you directly by your preferred method of communication (phone, email or mail) as soon as a unit becomes available. It is important to keep your contact information up to date.

You must keep your application up to date, including your contact information and required documents, to maintain your eligibility and ensure housing providers are able to reach you at the time of offer. If your information or circumstances change and you wish to update your application, you can either login into your online account or contact our office to advise of changes. You will also be required to complete an annual update in order to confirm your elgibiliy and interest in being on the waitlist.

Yes. If you own a home or property, any housing offer you receive will be conditional on selling it within six months of signing a lease. The equity from your home will be reviewed and counted toward your asset limits.

Yes. The following locations in Elgin County are senior only buildings:

105-139 First Ave, St Thomas – 65+
229 Fourth St, Rodney -65+
5 Milton St, Port Burwell -55+
215 South St W, Aylmer 65+
1 Lions Rd, Dutton 65+
15 Flora St., St Thomas – 65+ (Affordable Housing)

Yes, you can request to have your application status changed to “pending” for up to one year.

In order to do this, please contact St Thomas-Elgin Social Services at 519-631-9350 x 7000 or by email at [email protected]

If you disagree with an RGI (Rent Geared to Income) housing decision, you must submit a request for a review of the decision to St Thomas Elgin Social Services within the timeframe given in the notice of decision letter you received. This request can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off to our office at 230 Talbot St, St Thomas, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.