Social Housing Registry Program: Questions & Answers
We've compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance and the Social Housing Registry Program. Additional information can be found in the Public Information section.
QUESTIONS
When will I hear something about my housing application?
What is the Special Priority Status on the waiting list?
How long will it take until I am housed?
I need housing right away. What should I do?
I need an extra bedroom for my children when they visit. What should I do?
ANSWERS
Q: When will I hear something about my housing application?
A: All applications for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) assistance are reviewed by the Registry for COMPLETENESS within SEVEN (7) BUSINESS DAYS of receipt of application. Applicants can expect to receive a "Notice of Complete or Incomplete Application for RGI Assistance" shortly after that time frame. It is important that applications be completed in full to avoid any delays in processing. A copy of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or refugee claimant status for every household member 16 years of age or older is required. For assistance in completing applications please do not hesitate to contact The Registry.
Within thirty (30) days after The Registry has deemed an application to be complete the Registry determines eligibility under the provincial and local standards and will advise the applicant of his or her eligibility. If an applicant is eligible, a "Notice of Eligibility" is sent to the applicant. If The Registry determines that an applicant may not be eligible, a "Notice of Opportunity to Comment" is sent to the applicant and the applicant is given 30 days to respond in writing before a final decision about eligibility is made.
When an applicant submits a "Request for Special Priority Status" or a "Request for Homeless Priority Status" The Registry reviews eligibility for "Priority" within fourteen (14) days after the application has been deemed complete. Applicants must be eligible for RGI (subsidized) assistance before eligibility for Special Priority or Homeless Priority can be determined.
Q. What is the Special Priority Status on the waiting list?
A: The Special Priority (SP) status is reserved for individuals who are or have been abused by another household member. Abuse is defined as "an incident of physical or sexual violence against an individual, an incident of intentional destruction of or intentional injury to an individual's property, OR words, actions or gestures that threaten an individual or his or her property". A separate application must be submitted and The Registry requires verification documentation. SP applicants are ranked at the top of the waiting list above all other applicants. Further information is available on the application form, from The Registry or in the Public Information Guide.
A: To apply for Homeless Priority (HP) status on the waiting list one of the following circumstances must apply:
- living on the street;
- living in substandard housing which has been condemned by the municipality;
- using an emergency shelter as primary residence;
- accommodation has recently been destroyed by accidental fire or natural disaster;
- living with family or friends on a temporary basis for a period not longer than six months;
- awaiting release from hospital or other institution/time-limited treatment facility and cannot return to former place of residence;
- being evicted by landlord (non-familial) without cause;
- permanently living in a motel/hotel; or
- families whose children will not be returned by a child protection agency unit adequate housing is provided, and lack of housing is the only outstanding custody issue.
Under the Homeless Priority policy, 1 in 10 vacancies will be offered to an applicant with HP status. All current applicants eligible for RGI assistance, who are homeless, and meet any of the above listed criteria, may wish to apply for HP status on the waiting list. A separate application and verification is required. However, this may or may not result in an earlier offer of a unit, depending on the date of the chronological RGI application. Should an applicant with Homeless Priority status refuse one offer of accommodation, Homeless Priority status will be removed and they will be placed on the chronological waiting list.
Q: How long will it take until I am housed?
A: It is impossible for Registry staff to estimate the length of time it may take before an applicant is offered accommodation. The waiting list works on a chronological basis (date of application) with exception of the Special Priority and Homeless Priority. Applicants' names are placed on all of the waiting lists by housing projects for which the applicant qualifies and has indicated a preference. Therefore, the more areas (locations) that an applicant selects, the more waiting lists the applicant's name will be placed on, thereby increasing the applicant's chances of being offered accommodation sooner.
In some cases, the wait is less than one year and in others it can take longer than five years. The length of time one may have to wait is dependent upon many things, for example - we do not know when current tenants may move out to create vacancies. In addition, providers also refer to their internal transfer list and may transfer current tenants to alternate accommodation according to legislation and their own internal transfer policy.
Q: I need housing right away. What should I do?
A: None of the 17 housing providers participating in the centralized waiting list have "emergency housing". There are several Emergency Shelters in the City of Kingston. For information on these shelters call the Housing Help Centre at (613) 531-3779.
A: Tenants currently residing in RGI (subsidized) housing who wish to move to a different subsidized unit have two options: they can apply for an internal transfer with their current housing provider AND/OR they may apply to The Registry to be added to the centralized waiting list to go on the waiting list for other housing providers.
Q: I need an extra bedroom for my children when they visit. What should I do?
A: If you have joint custody or visitation rights with respect to your children and wish to have (an) additional bedroom(s) for them, you need to provide legal documentation (i.e. custody order, lawyer's letter, affidavit declaration) stating that you have:
- visiting rights with respect to your children (by name), and
- it is a condition of your visiting rights that you provide adequate accommodation for the named children when he/she/they stay overnight, and
- he/she/they stay overnight frequently, and
- you require (an) additional bedroom(s) to accommodate him/her/them.
