Housing and Homelessness Services

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St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services funds and administers social housing programs in the City of St. Thomas and the County of Elgin.

Social Housing means rent-geared-to-income or subsidized housing programs. In most cases, rent is based on 30% of a household's gross income. Most social housing providers also offer some units at full market rent.

Subsidized housing is available at over 1,100 units in St. Thomas and Elgin County, including townhouses, apartments, duplexes, and single-family homes for families, singles, and seniors.

Please click on any of the links on the left for further information on social housing, or explore the links in the photo icons above.

 

Other Links

Landlord Tenant Board 
Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan St. Thomas (2025)
Housing Needs Assessment - Canadian Community Building Fund (CCBF)
Housing & Homelessness Needs Assessment - Elgin County (2021)

Resources

Long-Term Affordable and Social Housing Strategy Reports

Full Report - St. Thomas Elgin Long-Term Affordable and Social Housing Strategy - June 2018

Final Executive Summary - St. Thomas Elgin Long-Term Affordable and Social Housing Strategy - June 2018

New 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan

In accordance with provincial direction, a review of the 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan (see Taking Stock, Working Together tab for the 2014 Plan and subsequent annual reports) is being conducted and a new, updated Plan is being prepared in 2026. 

The new, updated Plan is being prepared in 3 Phases: 

  1. Context Review – Fall 2025 

  1. Draft New Plan – Winter 2026 

  1. Finalize New Plan – Spring 2026 

Submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is required by the end of May 2026. Any further updates after MMAH review and Council approval of the final plan is expected by the end of 2026.
 

Reports and Public Engagement:

Report to St. Thomas Council on Draft New 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan: Staff Report

Presentation to Elgin County Council on Draft New 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan: Staff Presentation

Draft New 10-Year Housing & Homelessness Plan

Graphic image with text

Public Engagement Opportunities 

Public Information Centre / Open House regarding the draft new Housing & Homelessness Plan for St. Thomas – Elgin: 

Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 4-6pm 

Location: St. Thomas – Elgin Social Services

Building, 230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, Community Room (main floor, Talbot St entrance)

Online Feedback Form (available March 25-April 15 for input) 

Taking Stock, Working Together - St. Thomas and Elgin's Housing and Homelessness 10 year Plan Reports
St. Thomas and Elgin County Study on Homelessness Reports
St. Thomas Elgin Homeless Enumeration Report - 2021

Elgin County Housing & Homelessness Final Report - October 25, 2021

St. Thomas Homeless Enumeration 2018

2018 Homeless Enumeration - Summary Report

Needs Assessment - Housing and Homelessness in St. Thomas and Elgin County

St. Thomas and Elgin County Study on Homelessness - Summary Report, August 2009

St. Thomas and Elgin County Study on Homelessness - Final Report, August 2009

Housing Stability Alliance
 Terms of Reference

Lost Lives Protocol

Minutes

October 12, 2022
June 22, 2022
April 27, 2022
February 16, 2022

December 2, 2021

September 1, 2021
June 16, 2021

A Brief History of Social Housing
Social housing refers to rental housing developed with the assistance of the government and subsidized by the government for people with low to moderate incomes, seniors, or people with special needs who can live, with support, in the community.

For more information, check out this brief history of social housing in Ontario and St. Thomas-Elgin.