To qualify for affordable housing
- At least one person living with you is 16 or older and can live on their own
- You (and anyone living with you) are a Canadian citizen or have made a claim for permanent resident or refugee claimant status
- There is no removal order under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act against you or anyone living with you
- You do not owe money for rent/damages to a housing provider, or you have an approved re-payment agreement in place
- No one living with you has a conviction for any offences related to housing assistance
- You do not already own a home suitable for year-round living
- Your gross yearly household income is not more than the limit. There are asset limits for people applying for affordable housing. You cannot have assets over the above amounts: (effective July 1, 2023)
- Single households - $75,000
- Households with more than one person - $100,000
Review the list of acceptable proof of status in Canada documents.
Proof of residency in Canada
A document that displays your name and current home address and confirms that your primary place of residence is in the province or territory that is providing the benefit. For example:
- Driver's license
- Mortgage, rental or lease agreement
- Child Tax Benefit Statement
- Employer record (pay stub or letter from employer on company letterhead)
- Income tax assessment (most recent)
- Insurance policy (home, tenant, auto or life)
- Monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts (does not include receipts, bank books, letters or automated teller receipts)
- Mortgage, rental or lease agreement
- Motor Vehicle Permit (plate or vehicle portions)
- Property tax bill
- School, college or university report card or transcript
- Statement of Direct Deposit for social assistance or income assistance in your province or territory (for example, Disability Assistance, Hardship Assistance, Income Support, Assured Incoome, Social Solidarity, etc.)
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid T4E
- Statement of Old Age Security T4A (OAS) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits T4A (P)
- Statement of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or Registered Home Ownership Savings Plan (RHOSP) from a financial institution (bank, trust company, credit union)
- Utility bill received by mail (home telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas, water)
- Valid Provincial or Territorial Driver's Licence
- Temporary Driver's Licence (you must also show a photo license card with the same address)
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits T5007
- Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contribution
- Valid Photo Identification
Proof of housing situation
For example:
- letter from landlord about your housing situation
- eviction notice
- disconnection notice
- police report about an incident involving your housing
- moving company quote or invoice
- list of repairs needed in home
- list of expenses for renovations needed for independence in the home
- proof of home ownership (mortgage, property ownership)
Proof of birth
A document with first name, last name, and date of birth. For example:
- Birth certificate or birth registration
- Hospital record of birth or record of the physician/nurse/midwife who attended the birth
- Passport
- Record of landing or confirmation of permanent residence issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Citizenship certificate
- Note of decision or temporary resident’s permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Certificate of Indian status card
- Provincial identity card
Photo ID
For example:
- driver’s license
- passport
- other government-issued photo ID, such as a non-driver photo ID (Saskatchewan), British Columbia Services Card, Ontario photo card, General identification card (Nunavut), Voluntary ID (PEI), etc.
The Community Housing Access Centre processes all applications. They make housing offers and keep your information up to date so that housing providers can reach you when a unit becomes available.
There are three ways new applicants can apply for affordable housing:
- Use the Community Housing Applicant portal to enter information, attach documents, receive email communications, and monitor application status. A valid email address and internet access is required.
- Check out the Applicant Portal User Guide if you have questions about how to use the portal. If you have technical difficulties or have questions, you can fill in a community services support request.
- Visit a Welcome Space at 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, 150 Main St. in Cambridge, or 20 Weber St. E. in Kitchener; or
- Print and complete the affordable housing application and email it to the Community Housing Access Centre at [email protected] or drop it off at a location listed above.
If you need a wheelchair accessible unit, please also fill out the Medical Form and submit it with your application.
If you have an existing application and have a question, please contact [email protected].