Residential Tenancies Act: Briefing Book - Michael Walker

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Residential Tenancies Act, 2007 B R I E F I N G B O O K Facts on Social Housing What is Social Housing? Social housing is rental housing for individuals and families with low incomes. This housing has been developed and is operated with financial assistance from government. Rent in social housing is generally set at 30% of gross income, with adjustments for utilities. Social housing takes various forms, including: • private non-profit housing; • co-operative housing; • municipal non-profit housing; and • housing administered under Private Rent Supplement Agreements, the Limited Dividend Program, or Housing Allowance Programs. Private non-profit social housing buildings are owned and operated by community-based non-profit corporations, such as churches, seniors’ organizations and ethno-cultural groups. Co-operative social housing residents elect a board of directors from their members and contribute to operations and life of the community through a range of volunteer activities. Co-operative housing is governed by the Co-operative Corporations Act (not the Residential Tenancies Act). Some urban native programs operate as private non-profit housing for Aboriginal people. Municipal non-profit housing is owned and operated by a municipal government. In Toronto, it is the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), which is owned by the City and governed by a board of directors appointed by Council. The TCHC reports to Council each year on how it has put its Community Management Plan into action. The TCHC manages a portfolio of about 58,200 rental units, including those built by its two predecessor municipal non-profit housing corporations (Metro Toronto Housing Company Limited and Cityhome), as well as the public housing stock transferred from the former Metro Toronto Housing Authority. Private non-profit housing and municipal non-profit housing are exempt from certain rent rules (i.e. annual rent increases and above-guideline increases) and certain rules governing the landlord and tenant relationship (i.e. sublet/assignment). If the tenant is paying a rent geared to income, the 90-day rule for giving notice of rent increase before the date of the intended rent increase does not apply and there can be less than 12 months between rent increases. 45
Residential Tenancies Act, 2007 B R I E F I N G B O O K Facts on Social Housing Under a private rent supplement agreement, the landlord sets aside units for households requiring rent-geared-to-income, and the City pays the landlord the difference between geared-to-income rent and the market rent for the unit. Under the Limited Dividend Program (LDA), the landlord agrees to set aside some units to provide rent-geared-toincome housing for low-income households, in return for preferential mortgage financing by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The RTA also applies to the private rental building; however, those tenants assisted by the rent supplement program and the LDA are exempt from certain RTA rent rules and sublet/assignment rules since they pay rent geared-to-income. Therefore, the 12 month rule for taking rent increases, the 90-day rule for giving notice of rent increase and rules limiting the amount TThe Housing Allowance Programs give temporary assistance to households by providing a fixed payment to private landlords to reduce the monthly rental costs. Tenants must be on the waiting list for a rent-geared-to-income unit or be eligible to be on the waiting list. The RTA applies to units under the Housing Allowance Program, unless they are exempt from the RTA for some other reason (i.e. certain rent rules and sublet assignment rules). What is the City’s role in social housing? Administrative responsibility for social housing was transferred from the Province of Ontario to the City of Toronto on May 1, 2002. The transferred social housing portfolio includes public housing, the former federal non-profit housing projects and former provincial non-profit and co-operative housing projects. Federal housing co-operatives were not transferred to municipalities — their administration and funding remains with CMHC. The City’s responsibilities include: • funding, ensuring housing providers meet program requirements; • establishing operating policies; • giving advice and guidance to housing providers. Housing providers own the properties and manage the day-to-day operations. The Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division (SSHA) administers the transferred social housing portfolio on behalf of the City. For more information about social housing and what the City is doing with respect to social housing, see the SSHA web site at: www.toronto.ca/housing/social_housing/index.htm 46
Page 1 and 2: Residential Tenancies Act: Briefing
Page 3 and 4: FAQ’s
Page 5 and 6: Residential Tenancies Act, 2007 B R
Page 31 and 32: RTA VS TPA: KEY DIFFERENCES
Page 33 and 34: AGI - capital expenditures Resident
Page 43 and 44: EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
Page 45: FACTS ON SOCIAL HOUSING
Page 49 and 50: KEY CONTACTS
Page 51: Helpful Websites: Residential Tenan

Residential Tenancies Act: Briefing Book - Michael Walker

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