Social Housing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services manages applications for subsidized housing in St. Thomas and Elgin County.

You must apply through St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services and be placed on the Central Wait List before you can be considered for available housing, portable housing benefits or rent supplements.

For application instructions and application forms, visit Apply for Social Housing

The Declaration and Consent section must be electronically signed by every household member who is 16 or older.

Make sure all required household members have completed their signatures.

Learn how to sign the Consent and Declaration form

If you are still having trouble completing your application, contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services.

Yes. As part of your application, you can select the social housing locations you are interested in.

Only select buildings and communities where you would be willing to accept a housing offer.

You will receive one housing offer. If you decline an offer, it may affect your application or place on the wait list.

Learn more: Apply for Social Housing

Your eligible unit size is based on occupancy standards and the size of your household.

You cannot choose any unit size you want. Your household's circumstances determine the unit size for which you may qualify.

Wait times vary and cannot be predicted.

There is high demand for subsidized housing in St. Thomas and Elgin County, and there are more people seeking housing than there are available units and funding.

Wait times can be several years and, for some housing options, may be 10 years or more.

Your wait time can depend on factors such as:

• the housing locations you select
• the unit size you are eligible for
• your position on the wait list
• the availability of suitable units
• whether you qualify for priority status

Applicants with an eligible priority status may be housed sooner than applicants without priority status.

Your application must be complete and include all required documents.

Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive a letter or email confirming your eligibility. This can take up to three months.

If you are eligible, your name will be placed on the waiting list for the housing providers and locations you selected.

Housing offers are generally made based on the date your application was received, subject to priority status and other applicable rules.

When you reach the top of a housing provider's waiting list and a suitable unit becomes available, the housing provider will contact you directly.

The housing provider will contact you using your preferred method of communication, such as:

• phone
• email
• mail

Keep your contact information up to date so housing providers can reach you.

If your contact information changes, update your application through the online portal or contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services.

You must keep your application and supporting information up to date.

You are responsible for reporting changes to information such as:

• your address
• telephone number
• email address
• household members
• income
• assets
• other circumstances that could affect your eligibility

You must also complete an annual update to confirm that you remain eligible and want to stay on the wait list.

Failure to complete the required update may affect your application.

Yes.

If you have an existing online application, you can access it through the online housing application portal.

The portal allows you to:

• check your application status
• update your information
• upload documents
• receive email updates

Access your existing housing application online

You will need to follow the instructions provided by St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services to access your existing application.

A common reason an online application is marked incomplete is that the Declaration and Consent section has not been electronically signed by every household member who is 16 or older.

Make sure all required household members have completed their signatures.

Learn how to sign the Consent and Declaration form

If you are still having trouble completing your application, contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services.

Eligibility requirements apply to all members of your household.

Generally, you must meet the following requirements:

• At least one household member must be 16 years of age or older and able to live independently.
• Household members must be Canadian citizens, have applied for permanent residency or be refugee claimants.
• There must not be a removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act against you or anyone in your household.
• You must not owe money for rent or damages to a social housing provider, unless you have an approved repayment agreement.
• No household member can have a conviction for an offence related to housing assistance that affects eligibility.
• Your household's assets must be below the applicable asset limit.

Current asset limits are:

• $50,000 for a single person
• $75,000 for couples, families and seniors

Eligibility requirements can vary depending on the type of housing or benefit.

Visit Apply for Social Housing for eligibility information

Yes, but additional rules apply.

If you own a home or other property, a housing offer may be conditional on selling it within six months of signing a lease.

The equity in the property is considered when determining whether you meet the asset limit.

The property must also be suitable for year-round living to be considered a home for eligibility purposes.

Contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services if you have questions about how property ownership may affect your application.

You will need to provide documents to confirm information in your application.

Depending on your circumstances, these may include:

• identification or immigration documents for household members
• proof of income
• your most recent Notice of Assessment or income tax information
• pay stubs or other income verification
• court orders relating to custody, support or visitation
• other documents needed to confirm your eligibility

St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services will tell you which documents are required for your application.

Visit Apply for Social Housing for more details

Special Priority Status provides priority access to social and affordable housing vacancies for eligible victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.

The purpose of Special Priority Status is to help eligible applicants access safe, affordable housing more quickly after leaving an abusive situation.

To request Special Priority Status, complete the appropriate section of your housing application and provide the required supporting documentation.

Special Priority Status may be available to eligible applicants who are victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.

For domestic violence, the circumstances must be confirmed by an appropriate professional or organization.

Depending on the circumstances, supporting documentation may come from a:

• doctor
• social worker
• police officer
• shelter worker
• other qualified professional

Additional requirements and documentation apply.

Special Priority Status gives eligible applicants priority on the wait list, but it does not guarantee immediate housing.

The timing of an offer depends on the availability of a suitable unit and the applicant's eligibility and circumstances.

Yes. Some social and affordable housing communities in St. Thomas and Elgin County are reserved for seniors.

Current seniors-only locations include:

• 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 changed to "pending" for up to one year.

Contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services to request a hold.

519-631-9350, extension 7000
housinginfo@stthomas.ca

Tell St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services about changes to your household or circumstances.

This can include changes to:

• your address or contact information
• household members
• income
• assets
• marital or family status
• housing situation

If you have an online application, you can make many updates through the online portal.

Keeping your information current helps determine your continued eligibility and ensures housing providers can contact you.

Contact St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services to update your housing choices.

Only select locations where you would be willing to accept an offer.

Because you receive one housing offer, carefully consider your selections when applying.

If you disagree with a decision about Rent-Geared-to-Income housing, you can request a review.

Your decision letter will explain the deadline and how to request a review.

Submit your request to St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services by:

• email to housinginfo@stthomas.ca
• mail to:
  St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services
  230 Talbot St.
  St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B2
• in person at St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services

Make sure your request is submitted within the timeframe provided in your decision letter.

Yes. Subsidized housing can include several types of assistance, including:

• rent-geared-to-income housing
• affordable housing
• portable housing benefits
• rent supplements

You must apply through St. Thomas-Elgin Social Services and be placed on the Central Wait List to be considered.