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Resources for Community Housing Providers

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Housing Services administers funding to community housing providers in Durham Region, including municipal non-profits, private non-profit providers and housing co-operatives.

All community housing providers manage their own properties, and provide day-to-day property management and tenant relations services.

COVID-19 Resources

Durham Community Housing Directives

Durham Community Housing Directives set out local rules under the Housing Services Act, and the responsibility of community housing providers under their service agreements with us.

Rent-geared-to-income (RGI)

RGI 2020-15: 2021 Rent Freeze Period
Directive 2011-02: Housing Services Act
RGI 2012-06: Absence from Unit
RGI 2020-02: Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI)
RGI 2020-03: Annual RGI Reviews
RGI 2020-11: Asset Limits
RGI 2020-16: COVID-19 Recovery Benefits
RGI 2020-08: Earnings Exemptions
RGI 2021-02: Income Limits
RGI 2020-14: In-situ RGI Applications
RGI 2020-12: Letter Templates and Forms
RGI 2020-07: Maximum Rent and 24-Month Rule
RGI 2021-03: Minimum Rent
RGI 2020-04: Notice of Changes and In-Year Reviews
RGI 2019-02: Occupancy Standards and Overhoused Households
RGI 2014-02: ODSP and CPP Disability/OAS Allowance
RGI 2020-09: Pursuit of Income
RGI 2020-13: Regional Consent Form
RGI 2019-04: Regional Review Process
RGI 2020-10: Requests for Information
RGI 2020-05: Social Assistance and Non-Benefit Income
RGI 2018-04: Splitting RGI Households

DASH Wait List

Directive 2011-02: Housing Services Act
CWL 2017-02: Application for RGI and Modified Housing Form
Directive 2004-03: Critical Priority Status
CWL 2020-01: DASH Wait List Rules
Memo 07-14: Provincial Arrears Database
CWL 2019-03: Special Priority Status
CWL 2019-02: Transfer Applications

Housing operations

Directive 2011-02: Housing Services Act
Memo 07-02: Asbestos
Memo 11-10: Energy Efficiency and Refrigerators
Directive 2002-10: Seniors Mandate
OPR 2015-01: Standards - Conflict of Interest
OPR 2015-02: Standards - Leases and Occupancy Agreements
OPR 2015-03: Standards - Property Management
OPR 2015-04: Standards - Number of Board Meetings and Remuneration of Directors
OPR 2013-01: Reporting Critical Injuries of Non-Workers
Memo 11-09: Suite Meters and Electricity Costs Charged to Tenants

Finance, funding and reporting

Directive 2011-02: Housing Services Act
FIN 2021-01: Annual Information Return (AIR) and Surplus Sharing
FIN 2021-04: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2022
FIN 2020-05: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2021
FIN 2019-03: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2020
FIN 2021-02: Indemnity and Insurance Coverage
FIN 2021-05: Market Rent Indices for 2022
FIN 2020-04: Market Rent Indices for 2021
FIN 2019-01: Market Rent Indices for 2020
FIN 2021-03: Operating Cost Indices for 2022
FIN 2020-02: Operating Cost Indices for 2021
FIN 2019-02: Operating Cost Indices for 2020
FIN 2013-01: Subsidy Estimate Request

General information

Memo 11-02: Canada Learning Bond
Memo 09-08: Changes to Service Canada Information
INF 2015-06: Ontario Electricity Support Program
INF 2021-05: Government Pension Income October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021
INF 2021-04: Rent Increase Guideline for 2022

Archived and repealed directives

To obtain a copy of a repealed or archived directive or memo, please contact the Housing Services Division.

Listing of repealed and archived directives and memos

Durham Region RGI Guide and Cheat Sheets

The Durham Region RGI Guide compliments the Housing Services Act and its regulations, as well as local rules set out in the Durham Community Housing Directives.

Durham Region RGI Guide

Think Forward: RGI Simplification Cheat Sheets

Communication with DASH

Housing Forms

Applicant forms

Tenant and co-op member forms

Housing provider forms

Letter Templates

2021 Rent Freeze

RGI changes

RGI ineligibility

Maximum RGI and 24-month rule

Requests for information

Overhoused

Pursuit of income

Ontario Works

Old Age Security

Employment Insurance

Notice to Pursue Employment Insurance (EI)

Sponsorship Income

Notice to Pursue Sponsorship Income (Family Class)

Regional Reviews

Notice of forwarding of Regional Review Package to Panel

Offers/wait list

Notice of Denial/Refusal to Offer Unit

Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) Training

We have RGI training for all community housing providers who administer RGI in our region. You will learn the basics of RGI, how to apply provincial and local rules, and how to use appropriate discretion.

Sessions are geared to both people who are new to RGI calculations as well as those who want to refresh their skills. Sessions are offered twice per year, usually in April and October.

Social Housing Advisory Group (SHAG)

SHAG is a forum for community housing providers and Regional staff to share information and ideas related to community housing. SHAG is also an opportunity for community housing providers to share best practices. The group gives input on community housing policies and practices to support the implementation of At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024.

SHAG is made up of staff from the Region of Durham, community housing providers and board members.

SHAG - Terms of Reference

Meetings

Meetings are open to the public.

The next SHAG meeting will take place on:

Wednesday, October 21, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon on Microsoft Teams

View Calendar

Minutes

Read our latest meeting minutes:

For minutes from older meetings, contact Housing Services.

Helpful Links

Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
National Housing Strategy
- A Place to Call Home
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
Ontario Human Rights Commission – Housing

Resources for Community Housing Providers

Think Forward: RGI Simplification Cheat Sheets

Meetings

Minutes

Legislation

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