Change qualification and RAISE the budget for Canada Ontario Housing Benefit
Change qualification and RAISE the budget for Canada Ontario Housing Benefit
The Issue
Currently thousands of individuals across Ontario are experiencing issues with rent affordability leaving most to choose between keeping a roof over their head or food on the table. For many individuals this has resulted in seeking assistance from the emergency shelter system however the emergency shelter system is so overwhelmed that hundreds of individuals and families daily are being turned away and forced to seek shelter by whatever means necessary.
The Canada Ontario housing benefit (COHB) was launched in 2020 and pays the difference between 30 per cent of the household’s income and the average market rent. This benefit was meant to assist individuals with housing costs but as a requirement you must be on the rent geared to income waitlist but, once approved applicant must be removed from the RGI waitlist to qualify and applications are at max funding the moment applications open.
Olivia chow has made great progress having the federal government give a one time top up of 13.4m to the COHB for one application period, however this is not enough. I urge the government to remove the requirements for applicants to be removed from the RGI waitlists and make the one-time funding increase permanent.
By making the increase permanent more individuals will be able to participate in the program allow agencies to assist those that are struggling with their rent prior to turning to the emergency shelter system in turn decreasing the demand on the system. Further, by encouraging applicants to remain on the RGI waitlist this could show turn over allowing the benefit to assist others that are waiting for affordable housing instead of being accessible to only the few that are accepted yearly.
Daily individuals are being faced with the possibility of losing their housing and being forced to seek assistance from shelters, a system that can no longer withhold the demand. It is time to take a stance and encourage the government to make changes to the COHB to permanently increase the funding and allow applicants to remain on the RGI waitlist. With new strategies in place for more affordable housing now is the time to act.
The Issue
Currently thousands of individuals across Ontario are experiencing issues with rent affordability leaving most to choose between keeping a roof over their head or food on the table. For many individuals this has resulted in seeking assistance from the emergency shelter system however the emergency shelter system is so overwhelmed that hundreds of individuals and families daily are being turned away and forced to seek shelter by whatever means necessary.
The Canada Ontario housing benefit (COHB) was launched in 2020 and pays the difference between 30 per cent of the household’s income and the average market rent. This benefit was meant to assist individuals with housing costs but as a requirement you must be on the rent geared to income waitlist but, once approved applicant must be removed from the RGI waitlist to qualify and applications are at max funding the moment applications open.
Olivia chow has made great progress having the federal government give a one time top up of 13.4m to the COHB for one application period, however this is not enough. I urge the government to remove the requirements for applicants to be removed from the RGI waitlists and make the one-time funding increase permanent.
By making the increase permanent more individuals will be able to participate in the program allow agencies to assist those that are struggling with their rent prior to turning to the emergency shelter system in turn decreasing the demand on the system. Further, by encouraging applicants to remain on the RGI waitlist this could show turn over allowing the benefit to assist others that are waiting for affordable housing instead of being accessible to only the few that are accepted yearly.
Daily individuals are being faced with the possibility of losing their housing and being forced to seek assistance from shelters, a system that can no longer withhold the demand. It is time to take a stance and encourage the government to make changes to the COHB to permanently increase the funding and allow applicants to remain on the RGI waitlist. With new strategies in place for more affordable housing now is the time to act.
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on February 10, 2024