• Rented sites in mobile home parks and land lease communities;

• Care homes, including retirement homes;

• Affordable housing units created through various federally and/or provincially funded programs; and

• Households living in community housing that receive RGI assistance or pay low end of market rent, with the exception of non-profit housing co-op members who pay market rates.

The legislative change comes into effect on January 1, 2021 through to December 31, 2021.

The introduction of this legislation prompted the following:

• An update and communication with our social housing providers at our dedicated Social Housing Provider meeting in October 2020, sharing information and instruction on how this regulatory change affects their duties and responsibilities as social housing/RGI managers of social housing/RGI tenancies.

• The issuance of a social housing directive to our social housing providers, RGI supplement administrators, rental housing capital and Ontario Renovates multi-residential proponents regarding the 2021 residential rent freeze, effective January 1, 2021.

What this means for our Social Housing Providers/Rent Supplement Administrators

No rent increases can come into effect for 2021, even in situations where a household’s income increases, household composition increases and/or a household becomes ineligible for RGI assistance e.g., overhoused, income above household income limits.

Social housing providers are required to continue decreasing RGI rents for households that experience a decrease in their household income.

Social Housing Providers and Rent Supplement Administrators are still required to conduct annual reviews and in-year rent re-calculations in 2021. However, any calculated rent increase resulting from an annual or in-year review would not take effect in 2021.

After the rent freeze period has ended, starting January 1, 2022, RGI could increase to reflect household income calculated in the most recent annual or in-year review, subject to the HSA regulations on effective dates of rent increases. Social housing providers and landlords can issue proper 90 day notices for a rent increase prior to the end of the rent freeze for an increase to take effect starting in 2022 (January 1, 2022 or later).

For example, an RGI household paying $300 per month in rent reports an income increase through their scheduled annual review in 2021. While their rent would be re-