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London-Middlesex is in the Red/Control category of the Provincial Keeping Ontario Safe and Open framework. A number of City facilities have reopened to the public for in-person programs and services.
The official website for the City of London, Ontario
Social housing is a government-assisted housing that provided rent-geared-to-income and affordable rental units to households with low-to-moderate incomes. Social housing can include: public housing, not-for-profit and co-operative housing. Learn more about qualifying and applying for the City of London social housing.
To qualify for social housing in the City of London and the County of Middlesex, applicants must:
To apply for social housing rent geared-to-income housing, you must complete the following steps:
The application package consists of three categories - Adults, Family and Senior. Download and print the application form and building selection form that best describes your situation.
The Building Selection Forms
If you are a household with no dependents (adults/singles and childless couples from age 16+) looking to live in designated adult social housing, please download and print the Adult Building Selection Form. Please note that some buildings will accept adults only from age 50+, seniors 6-+ or 65+ and small families.
If you are a household with dependents (one or more dependents) looking to live in a designated family social housing, please download and print the Family Building Selection Form. Please note that some buildings will accept households without dependents such as adults/singles/couples and seniors 60+ and 65+.
If you are a senior from ages 60+ or 65+ and looking to live in designated senior social housing, please download and print the Senior Building Selection Form. Please note that this is only for seniors age 60+ and 65+.
Providers who have social housing
There are many providers who have social housing units. Below is a brief description of each:
Private Non-Profit Housing (PNP): Private Non-Profit Housing are owned by sponsor organizations such as service clubs, church organizations and ethnic groups and are either self-managed or managed through a property management company.
Federal Non-Profit Housing (FNP): Federal Non-Profit Housing are owned by sponsor organizations such as churches and service clubs, and are either self-managed or managed through a property management company.
Provincial Co-operative Housing (PCO): Provincial Co-operative Housing are managed by their occupant members. Each resident becomes a member and has a voice in how the co-operative is operated and is expected to help in the day-to-day operations. A Board of Directors is established from the co-operative members.
You can find more information on Provincial Co-Operative Housing by accessing this poster.
Public Housing (PH): City-owned public housing units are 100 per cent rent-geared-to-income and are governed and managed by London & Middlesex Community Housing.
Rent Supplement Program (RS): The City of London, Housing Division administers and manages rent-geared-to-income units in various privately owned buildings through agreements with landlords under the Rent Supplement Program. Tenants are required to pay their RGI portion of rent to the private landlord and the City of London provides the rent supplement portion to cover the different between the RGI payable and the market rent directly to the landlord. These agreements may change over time.
Please Note: As a result of changes to the Housing Services Act, 2011 O. Reg 367/11 under Section 32.2 and 38, effective January 1, 2021, applicants will only receive one offer of RGI housing. If you do not accept this offer, you will be removed from the centralized social housing waitlist. This rule applies to all applicants on the centralized social housing waitlist. It is critical that you keep your contact information and Building Selection form updated. Please review your options carefully and select only buildings and communities that you wish to live in. You may update your building selections at any time.
Please note that these forms are Adobe PDF. To download and print, you must have the latest in Adobe's PDF on your computer. Click on the Adobe link for a free download.
As you determine if you qualify for social housing, you may find you qualify for Special Priority Status or Urgent Status. If the following circumstances apply to you, complete the form and submit it with your basic application.
Priority Forms are used if you may be experiencing trafficking, or domestic abuse and violence by living together with an abusive person and need to find housing right away.
Urgent application forms are used if you are experiencing homelessness, have a medical urgency need or a social urgency need to live in social housing.
Please download and print the form that best reflects your situation.
Request for Urgent Homeless Status Form
Additional application forms may be requested by the HAC team.
Independent Living Assessment Form - Required by HAC concerning independent living.
Divestment of Residential Property - Required when owning a property/
Request for Internal Review - Required to appeal any decision made by the HAC or your social housing providers/landlord.
Request for Final Review - Required if you are not satisfied with a decision made by the HAC or your housing provider/landlord thru the request for internal review.
Submit your forms and documents to the Housing Access Centre: Citi Plaza, 355 Wellington Street Suite 248, 2nd Floor London, ON N6A 3N7 Telephone: 519- 661-0861 Regular business hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Please note: Applications will not be accepted by fax. Applications can be scanned and email to hac@london.ca.
The following is a list of all the required documents that must be provided with your application for everyone listed on the application form.
Some items may not apply to some individuals.
The guides below are intended as an aid for anyone who is looking for rental housing in the City of London and County of Middlesex. The non-profit housing providers listed in the guide offer subsidized housing and low-end market rent (not subsidized) for people with low income and is designated for Seniors, Adults, and Families. The housing resources listed in this directory may, from time to time, have waiting lists.
What is rent-geared-to-income housing?
Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing is subsidized housing. The rent is based on the tenant's income - usually 30 percent of the gross monthly household income. RGI units are available in publicly-owned social housing (London Middlesex Community Housing) and in certain Co-operative Housing, Non-profit Housing and some private market buildings.
How do I apply for rent-geared-to-income housing?
To apply for RGI housing, an application package is required along with income verification and proof of Canadian Citizenship for all household members. Applications are available for pick up at the Housing Access Centre located at Citi Plaza or by calling 519-661-0861 to have an application mailed out to you.
What documents are required with a RGI housing application?
The following are required when submitting an RGI application:
Additional Documents required, if applicable
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for RGI housing, applicants must be:
How long is the waitlist?
The Housing Access Centre is unable to predict how long the wait is for social housing. It depends on many different factors – application date, urgent status, how many building selections, types of buildings chosen, vacancy rates, unit size etc.
How much rent can I expect to pay?
RGI rent is based on 30% of your household gross monthly income. Additional charges may apply depending on whether utilities are included. If you are receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, your rent is based on a pre-determined rent scale.
Who do I notify if I need to report changes to my housing application?
You must notify the Housing Access Centre of any changes to your application such as changes to your mailing address, phone number, income, household composition etc. An Annual Update will be mailed to you every two years to request updated information in order to remain eligible on the waitlist.
Does the Housing Access Centre provide emergency housing?
No, the Housing Access Centre does not provide emergency housing - emergency shelters provide emergency housing. You may also contact Homeless Prevention Coordinated Access at 519-661-4663 for additional resources and referrals.
How will I be contacted for an offer?
The housing providers will contact you directly by phone when you reach the top of the wait list for one of the buildings you have selected. It is important to maintain contact with the Housing Access Centre to keep your application up-to-date with current contact information so that providers are able to reach you in a timely manner.
What happens if I cannot be reached?
Providers will attempt to reach you and will leave messages, if appropriate. You will have 48 hours to respond. If you cannot be reached within 48 hours, the provider will contact the next person on the list.
How many refusals of offer do I get?
As of January 1, 2021, applicants will only receive one offer of RGI housing. If you do not accept this offer, you will be removed from the social housing waitlist. This rule applies to all applicants on the waitlist and only applies to units that you have chosen on your building selection list.
I do not have an income - am I eligible for RGI housing?
No. Individuals who are 16 years or older who apply for RGI housing must be in receipt of income to qualify for RGI housing. You will be asked to apply for Ontario Works social assistance if you do not qualify for any other source of income.
Can I apply for RGI housing if I own a home?
Yes, you may be eligible for RGI housing however you must agree to sell your home or property within six months of moving into an RGI unit. A Divestment Form must be signed and included with your application.
What bedroom size would I be eligible for?
The unit size is determined by our local rule regarding occupancy standards.
Additional bedrooms may be approved with supporting documentation based on extensive medical equipment, joint custody of a child or the need for a part-time caregiver.
Can a housing provider choose not to offer me an RGI unit?
As per the Housing Services Act, 2011, a provider may choose not to offer you a unit based on 5 reasons:
What could make me ineligible for RGI housing?
As per the Housing Services Act, 2011, you could be made ineligible for rent-geared-to-income housing if you or any member of the household owes arrears (including money for damages) to a rent-geared-to-income unit, and if your income level is above the household income limits as per O. Reg 298/01 S. 8.
If I owe arrears to a previous social housing provider, will I still qualify for RGI?
If you have outstanding arrears with a social housing provider, you must enter into a repayment agreement with the landlord and maintain your payments in order to remain eligible for social housing.
Please Note: A housing provider is able to refuse to offer a social housing unit if they have reasonable grounds to believe, based on the incoming household’s rental history, that the household may fail to fulfil its obligations to pay rent. A housing provider may use outstanding rental arrears as evidence to suggest that the same household could fail their rent obligations in the future if they are offered another unit.
What additional statuses can you apply for when submitting an RGI application?
There are 3 statuses that you may apply for if you meet the following criteria:
I need housing right away - what should I do?
The Housing Access Centre does not provide emergency housing but staff can refer you to community resources to assist in your housing search while you wait for social housing. If you are in immediate need, you may contact Homeless Prevention Coordinated Access at 519-661-4663. This team works with individuals and families to prevent and divert from an experience of homelessness by connecting you to financial, social services and natural supports.
What does it mean to be “over-housed’?
If you are living in a unit that is too large for your household (as per the local occupancy standards), your household will be considered “over-housed”. Your provider will notify you in writing if you are considered over-housed.
After 12 months from the date you were notified that you were over-housed, you will be required to re-apply to the waitlist and select a minimum of five (5) housing preferences (not including your current housing location). Every year that you continue to be over-housed, you will be required to select 5 more building selections, up to a maximum of 20 building selections.
If I am living in a rent-geared-to-income housing, can I move to another location?
If you would like to move from your current RGI unit, you may ask for an internal transfer directly through your housing provider. If you would like to move outside of your housing provider’s portfolio, you must re-apply through the Housing Access Centre and you will be placed on the waiting list based on a new application date.
If I am living in a rent-geared-to-income housing, can I be away for more than 90 days?
You must let your housing provider know if you intend to be away from your RGI unit for any extended amount of time. There are exceptions that may be made. If you do not provide notice to your provider and are away for 90 days, you may lose eligibility for RGI.
Do you have to be living in the City of London to apply for housing?
No - you can apply for social housing in the City of London while living outside the city.
If you would like to apply for RGI housing outside of London, you will need to contact the local social housing agency in the city/town to apply – housing applications are not transferrable within municipalities.
Can I appeal any decision made by the Housing Access Centre regarding my application?
You may appeal certain decisions made by the Housing Access Centre. You may request an internal review if you disagree with: eligibility for RGI, size of unit, priority category, amount of RGI payable, eligibility for special needs housing. If you disagree with a decision, you are required to complete a “Request for Internal Review” form within 10 business days of receiving eligibility decision. A Request for Internal review decision will be processed within 10 business days and you will be notified in writing.
Where can I call for landlords and tenants issues?
The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) has a phone line where you can get general information about the Residential Tenancies Act, tenant’s rights and the LTB process. You may contact them toll-free at 1-888-332-3234.
What is the difference between subsidized housing and affordable housing?
Social housing or Rent-Geared-to-Income housing (also referred to as subsidized housing) is when your rent is determined by your income. Generally, the rent is based on 30% of your household gross monthly income.
The affordable housing projects in the city are buildings that have received funding from the City of London to assist developers in creating more affordable housing. The rental units in these buildings are made available to the general public at a low-end average market rate. In order to apply for these buildings, you must apply directly through the property manager of the building. The Housing Access Centre does not maintain a waitlist for Affordable Housing Buildings.
For more information about the Housing Access Centre, you may contact 519-661-0861 or email the team at HAC@london.ca.
As a social housing provider you have access to a variety of tools and supports from the housing team. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Housing Team.
If you would like a copy of the Subsidy Estimation Form and Annual Information Return Form, please email housing@london.ca
Housing Division Notices or HDNs are policies, procedures and directives established by the service manager to ensure consistent program delivery. If you have any questions regarding these HDNs, please reach out to the housing team.
HDN 253 – In-Situ Policy (Replaces HDN # 2005 – 88 & HDN # 2002 - 36)
HDN 252 – Arrears’ Policy Regarding Eligibility for Rent-Geared-To-Income (RGI) Subsidy (Replaces HDN # 2003 – 50).
HDN 250 – 2021 Revenue and Cost Indices Attachments (Replaces HDN # 2020 – 247)
HDN 249 – Local Rule – Maximum Household Income (Replaces HDN # 2020 – 245).
HDN 248 - Refusal of Offer
HDN 246 - Calculating Minimum Rent
HDN 244 - Updated Income & Assets Review Form Attachment (Replaces HDN 2015-215)
HDN 239 - 2020 Rent Increase Guidelines (Replaces HDN 2018-233)
HDN 234 - Local Rule Maximum Household Income (Replaces HDN 2017-224)
HDN 210 - New Excluded Income for Rent Geared-to-Income Calculation
HDN 207 - Fluctuating Income Policy
HDN 206 - Vacancy Loss (Replaces HDN 2009-141)
HDN 204 - Carbon Monoxide Alarms (Replaces HDN 2014-202)
HDN 200 - New Mandatory Health & Safety Training
HDN 196 - Subsidy Surplus Fund
HDN 194 - Notices and Reviews of Decisions
HDN 193 - Local Standard for Multi-Year Financial Plans
HDN 192 - Local Standard Leases-Occupancy Agreements
HDN 191 - Local Standard for Property Management
HDN 190 - Local Standard for the Remuneration of Directors
HDN 189 - Local Standard for Board Meetings
HDN 188 - Local Standard -Conflict of Interest (Replaces HDN 2002-03)
HDN 183 - Housing Provider Annual Information Return & Reporting Requirements
HDN 181 - Local Rule - Maximum Absence from Unit (Replaces HDN 2002-27)
HDN 180 - Local Rule - Certain Convictions (Replaces HDN 2002-26)
HDN 178 - Local Rule - Ceasing to meet Occupancy Standards (Replaces HDN 2011-65)
HDN 177 - Local rule - Occupancy Standards (Replaces HDN 2005-85)
HDN 176 - Local Rule - Maximum Household Assets (Replaces HDN 2002-25)
HDN 174 - 2012 Ongoing Tenant Income Limits Sections 26 & 27 Housing Providers with Attachments
HDN 168 - Housing Services Act 2011
HDN 160 - Building Condition Assessments & Reserve Fund Studies
HDN 158 - Non-Income Producing Assets-Imputed Rate of Return (Replaces HDN 2009- 152)
HDN 146 - Local Rule for Adding to Original List of Housing Preferences (Replaces HDN 2005-89)
HDN 140 - Market Revenue & Vacancy Loss Recognition - Federal
HDN 138 - Preventative Maintenance Management
General Maintenance Schedule - Apartment
General Maintenance Schedule - Townhouse
Inspection Checklist - Apartment
Inspection Checklist - Townhouse
The Housing Division is able to modify the above standard forms to suit individual needs. Please contact housing@london.ca
HDN 134 - Capital Expenditure & Reserve Guide Attachment
HDN 131 - Updated Guide to Rent Geared-to-Income Assistance Attachment
HDN 129 - Asbestos Management Program
HDN 127 - Local Rule on Household Income Limits for Federal Non-Profit Section 95 Projects Only.
HDN 126 - Tracking of Federal Housing Providers' Former Tenant Rent Arrears
HDN 125 - Subsidy Estimation Request Form (Replaces HDN 2002-10) Attachment
HDN 122 - Change to Funding Model Under the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000
HDN 118 - Business Continuity Plan Attachment
HDN 114 - Residential Tenancies Act 2006
HDN 108- Federal Universal Child Care Benefit
HDN 106 - Rent Arrears - Tracking by the Housing Access Centre Attachments
HDN 102 - Information Reporting Form Attachments
HDN 100 - Amendment to the Ontario Fire Code Regarding Smoke Alarms
HDN 99 - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) Attachment
HDN 98 - Refusal to Offer
HDN 97 - External Transfer of a Current Tenant from one Housing Provider to Another
HDN 87 - Local Rule for Internal Transfer (Update to HDN 2002-34)
HDN 81 - Domestic Hot Water Tanks
HDN 80 - Rent Arrears - Tracking by the Housing Access Centre
HDN 74 - Rent Inflation Factor to be used in the Calculation of Minimum Market Rent in 2005 Fiscal Year Attachment
HDN 73 - Asbestos Potential Health Risk due to Asbestos in Loose Fill Vermiculite Insulation
HDN 69 - Classifying & Reporting Maximum Rent Households During the 12 month Eligibility Period
HDN 68 - Application of Maximum (Market) or Minimum Rent
HDN 66 - Adding Members to Existing Rent Geared-to-Income Assisted Households
HDN 59 - Independent Living Assessment Form Attachment
HDN 55 - Subsidy Disbursement Policy
HDN 49 - Record of Refusal to Offer
HDN 48 - Housing Special Notice
HDN 35 - Local Rule for Divestment of Residential Property
HDN 30 - Market Rent Analysis Form Attachment
HDN 29 - Part V Service Agreement Companion Document - Attachment available upon request
HDN 24 - Policy on Rent Recalculation
HDN 23 - Policy on Time Requirement to Report Changes Affecting Rent Geared-to-Income
HDN 22 - Policy on Rent Geared-to-Income Increases
HDN 21 - Policy on Pursuit of Income for Rent Geared-to-Income Eligibility
HDN 20 - Communication to Members Attachment
HDN 19 - Communication to Tenants
HDN 18 - Guest Policy for Households
HDN 14 - Procedures on Obtaining Ministerial Consent ( attachment available upon request)
HDN 9 - Operating Framework
HDN 7 - Internal transfers
HDN 5 - File Retention
HDN 2 - Corporate Requirements - Operating Agreement
HDN 1 - Housing Division Notices and Administration
Housing provider forms are submitted directly to the Housing Access Centre to maintain the integrity of the coordinated access system.
Below are guides, templates and forms used to report annual financial information.
Annual Information Return Template
Annual Information Return Guide
Annual Information Return Submission Checklist
Accountant Report with Appendix
Auditor Confirmation Template for Federal Non-Profit Housing Providers
As part of the Subsidy/Budget approval process, the Housing Division has designed a new Subsidy Estimation Request Form for both mixed and 100% RGI Provincial Reform Non-Profits and Co-operatives. The process is to provide information necessary to estimate annual subsidy/budget. Housing Providers please fill out the Subsidy Estimation Request Form below for approval. Once complete, please ensure the form is signed for approval by two members of the Board of Directors and forwarded to the City of London, Housing Division as noted in the Subsidy Estimation Request Form Guidelines below.
Subsidy Estimation Request Form Guidelines
Application Request for Replacement Reserve Fund Expenditure
Federal operating agreements require the City of London Housing Division to review and approve rental charges submitted by Section 95 Federal Non-Profit housing providers annually. Section 95 Federal Non-Profit housing providers are to complete the form below and email, mail or fax it to the Housing Division six months prior to the proposed rental increase effective date.
Below are a listing of both affordable and supportive housing rentals. The Housing Access Centre is not a rental agency and is not responsible for renting or having further information on these developments. Please reach out to the developments directly if you have any concerns or questions.
The developments listed below are funded in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of London.
867-869 Adelaide Street, London:
516 Albert Street, Strathroy:
534 Albert Street, Strathroy:
602 Albert Street, Strathroy:
Ormah Gibson Tower - 390 Burwell Street, London:
45 Centre Street, London:
226-230 Dundas Street, London:
260-262 Clarence Street, London:
Talu Apartments - 339 Commissioners Road, London:
34 Covent Market Place, London:
111 Craig Street, Ailsa Craig:
189 Dundas Street, London:
Chai-el Holdings Inc. - 211 Dundas Street, London:
Griffin Katrina Investments - 572 Dundas Street, London:
660 Dundas Street, London:
666-668 Dundas Street, London:
Liora Fine Arts - 753 Dundas Street, London:
1045 Dundas Street, London:
Komoka Seniors Apartments - 113 Hamilton Street, Komoka:
1090 Hamilton Road, London:
Residenza Italia - 1109 Hamilton Road, London:
Escalade Property Corp - 1166 Hamilton Road, London:
Huron Pines Housing Cooperative - 1453 Huron Street, London:
Gethsemane Gardens - 1461 Huron Street, London:
159 Main Street, Glencoe:
Glencoe Senior's Apartments - 173 Main Street, Glencoe:
Centretown Apartments - 636 Marshall Street, London (637 Dundas):
Nelson Place Affordable Housing - 570 Nelson Street, London:
Woodfield Terrance - 380 Princess Avenue, London:
Woodfield Apartments - 390 Princess Avenue, London:
329-331 Richmond Street, London:
392 Richmond Street, London:
Lido Place - 129 Riverside Drive, London:
London Affordable Housing Foundation - 1374 Savannah Drive, London:
Southdale Apartments - 333-337 Southdale Road, London:
Tecumseh Place - 77 Tecumseh Avenue, London:
770 Whetter Avenue, London:
25 Centre Street, London:
404 Clarke Road, London:
744 Dundas Street, London:
Residents living in a supportive housing building receive formal support from a local social service agency to maintain their tenancy and live independently in the community.
164 Albert Street:
1554 & 1555 Allen Place:
193 Clarke Road, London:
Woodfield Gate - 356 Dundas Street, London:
590 Grosvenor Ave:
446 King Street:
332 Richmond Street:
The website links below may be useful in helping you with your independent search for private market rentals while you are on the social housing wait list. For a list of available rentals in the London area, click on the link “List of Apartments for Rent”.
The Aboriginal housing rentals located in the city of London are not rent-geared-to-income housing and does not participate on the social housing waiting list.
The Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services help aboriginal women, children, and youth who are victims of family violence and require safe shelter and accommodation. Atlohsa serves the urban aboriginal population in the city of London and surrounding area.
For more information on programs and services call 1-866-391-1061 or check the Atlohsa website.
In partnership with the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS), the Four Feathers Housing Co-Operative operates a number of affordable housing projects in the City of London for low and modest income families and individuals of native ancestry.
For more information please contact: 519-667-3328.
The Housing Development Cooperation centralizes the knowledge, skills, expertise, and tools required to support sustainable housing development, inclusive of affordable housing, throughout London and Middlesex. HDC engages in a full range of services including development, new financial instruments, land acquisition and sale, and affordable housing consultation with all partners and sectors.
HDC works with private, non-profit, and government sectors to enable and advance the development of affordable housing in London and Middlesex. As a municipal service organization, HDC works closely with the City of London, including as their delegated service manager for municipal and provincial new rental housing programs and funding.
HDC is not the landlord or property manager of affordable developments. HDC is the body that helps bring the resources, plans, and funding together to assist the community in making these important and much needed developments a reality.
For more information on the Housing Development Cooperation, please visit their website.