Youth Without Shelter…

Youth Without Shelter supports the proposed changes however we have questions which are as follows:
• Are these affordable units eligible for Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)? What will the wait times be? What is the criteria
• Please define ownership housing – which homes would these be? Rent to Own has not been a concept publically discussed in a long time. What is the ratio for affordable only rental units and rent-to-own units/homes.
• Eligibility: Who is eligible for these affordable homes?
o What will the application process look like?
o What is the criteria?
o COHB currently doesn’t consider couch surfing and hidden homelessness to be eligible. Will these changes to defined affordable housing include all those experiencing homelessness or only those living in a shelter?
o Street homeless vs. refugees/newcomers - will there be priority over one group compared to another or will it solely need on a needs-based assessment?
• What is the income bracket for this type of housing? What is the cut off?
• Who will monitor the cleanliness/upkeep of these units? Given the history of RGI rentals not being well maintained and monitored this is a growing concern for residents. Who will enforce this?
• Within the context of RGI rentals; income can fluctuate drastically for tenants that results in a disconnect between rent being charged and their employment status. For example, if a tenant is on OW and pays X amount on rent, when they obtain a job, either temporary or permanent, they submit their new income to their landlord. However, given the fact that the takes months to process there is a possibility they will face another change in income by the time the new rent cost has been approved. How will this new definition correct the mistakes seen with RGI units like this? How will you ensure stability within rent costs for these newly defined affordable units/homes?
• Is there a timeline for this new type of housing? Is there an end point to this type of housing such as the 2029 deadline for COHB? If yes, what is the length of the program? What does the transition look like?