Appendix K

HOUSING AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES

DIRECTIVE 4 - 2020

October 28, 2020

1. SUBJECT

This is directive is issued for the purpose of providing guidance to community housing providers, rent supplement/subsidy administrators, rental housing capital and Ontario Renovates multi-residential proponents on the recent amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act freezing residential rent increases effective January 1, 2021.

2. EFFECTIVE DATE

This directive comes into effect for the period January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. This directive will automatically be revoked effective January 1, 2022.

3. APPLICATION

This Directive applies to the following social housing programs In Windsor Essex:

  1. Public Housing Program

  2. Provincial Reform Non-Profit and Co-operative Housing Program

  3. Commercial, IAH, IAH-E, OPHI, SCRSP, CSHP, OCHAP, WEHB Rent Supplement/Subsidy Programs

  4. Rental Housing Capital Component (COAHP, IAH, IAH-SIF and all respective related extension programs, if applicable) and Ontario Renovates Muiti-Residential (IAH and IAH-E proponents)

4. BACKGROUND

On October 1, 2020, the Helping Tenants and Small Businesses Act, 2020 received Royal Assent. The Act amends the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA), to deliver on the commitment to freeze residential rent increases in 2021 to give the vast majority of Ontario tenants some relief and financial security as we continue to recover from the pandemic.

The amendments set the 2021 rent increase guideline to zero percent and freeze annual rent increases starting January 1, 2021through December 31, 2021.