Waitlist Changes: Transfers

This change to Ontario Regulation 367/11 provides Services Managers discretion/flexibility in how transfers between housing providers are managed. The requirement for current social housing tenants to complete a new application for the centralized waiting list when requesting a transfer to an RGI unit operated by a different housing provider is removed.

In consulting with our social housing providers and CHR-WEC staff, there was an interest in prioritizing the transfer of overhoused RGI tenants; as a result implementation of transfers between housing providers will offer priority transfers to overhoused RGI tenants in Windsor Essex. Prioritizing overhoused RGI households in Windsor Essex for portfolio wide social housing transfers will ensure:

• current tenants are housed in social housing units that are the right size for the size of their household and

• RGI housing subsidies are utilized appropriately.

Windsor Essex will be implementing this change on November 30, 2020.

This change prompted the following:

• Changes to Housing Services’ Local Rules Windsor Essex document

  • Adding a process for maintaining and prioritizing overhoused households.

  • Designates the management of the Overhoused Transfer List to the CHR-WEC.

• The creation of a Transfer/Overhoused Application Form for RGI Households

Geared-to-Income Rent (RGI) Simplification

The new Ontario Regulation 316/19 introduces a simplified method for calculating RGI. The new RGI calculation is based on 30 percent of adjusted family net income as determined (where possible) by the tenant’s most recen t income tax return (line 236).

Other RGI simplification changes include the following:

• An extension to the length of time RGI households will be able to pay market rent before losing RGI eligibility from 12 to 24 months.

• The earnings exemption for working tenants, either $75 or $150 per month of family unit employment (depending on family size), will continue and the criteria to determine the amount will be simplified.

• In year reviews will only be completed under certain circumstances (e.g. permanent decrease of 20% or more in household income, change to household composition) and tenants will no longer be required to report an increase in income between their annual reviews. All tenants in full-time studies will now