What is rent-geared-to-income housing? How can I apply for it?

Most areas in Ontario have subsidized housing, which is also called affordable housing. There are three main types:

• rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing
• rent supplement programs
• below market rent housing

This question is about RGI housing. In this type of housing, the amount of rent tenants pay depends on their household income. A household can be one person living alone. RGI housing is only available for households with lower incomes.

RGI housing is organized by service managers. A service manager is a city, county, district or region that is responsible for the subsidized housing located within its area. For example, the service manager for all subsidized housing in Ottawa is the City of Ottawa.

The service manager pays for and sets the rules for all the subsidized housing in its area.

The service manager works with housing corporations, private landlords, non-profits, and co-ops that own the RGI housing. These housing providers are responsible for repairing and managing the buildings they own.

You must apply to live in RGI housing. But there isn't enough RGI housing for everyone who applies so you will usually be put on a waitlist for months or years.