I am on the waitlist for rent-geared-to-income housing. What happens if I say no to the home that I’m offered?
In rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing, the amount of rent tenants pay depends on their income. You can learn more about RGI housing in the question What is rent-geared-to-income housing? How can I apply for it?
Your region's can remove you from their housing waitlist if you say no to a home they offer you. They can also remove you from the waitlist if you miss some steps in the acceptance process. For example, you can be removed from the waitlist if you don't show up for a viewing appointment, or if you delay your move-in date.
If the service manager removes your household from the waitlist, you must apply again to the housing program. It can take anywhere from 2 to 12 years or more for you to get to the top of the waitlist again. The wait time depends on where you live and how many buildings you chose.
In rare situations, the service manager might let you stay on the waitlist for a different home, even if you said no to the first home they offered you.
If you want the service manager to change their decision, you can ask them for a review.
Portable housing benefits
A portable housing benefit is a rent that you keep even if you move to a different home in Ontario. The amount of this portable subsidy can change depending on where you move to.
There are different rules for portable housing benefits. If you say no to an offer for a portable housing benefit, you can stay on the waitlist for RGI housing.
