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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 social 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 2019-01: 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 2020-06: 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 2013-02: Annual Information Return Template
Directive 2005-04: Annual Information Return - Requirement for New Accountant's Report
Directive 2002-08: Annual Information Returns (AIR) - Federal Providers (formerly Annual Project Data Report)
Directive 2004-06: Capital Related Exceptions to GAAP Reporting for Audited Financial Statements
FIN 2020-03: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2021
FIN 2019-03: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2020
FIN 2018-03: Cost and Rent Inflation Factors for MNP Providers for 2019
Directive 2007-03: Indemnity and Insurance Coverage
FIN 2020-01: Market Rent Indices for 2021
FIN 2019-01: Market Rent Indices for 2020
FIN 2018-01: Market Rent Indices for 2019
Directive 2002-09: Ontario Community Housing Assistance Program (OCHAP) and Community Sponsored Housing Program (CSHP) Annual Financial Reporting and Subsidy Request
FIN 2020-02: Operating Cost Indices for 2021
FIN 2019-02: Operating Cost Indices for 2020
FIN 2018-02: Operating Cost Indices for 2019
Directive 2002-05: Requests for Replacement Reserve Funds from Federally Funded Housing Providers
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 2019-02: Rent Increase Guideline for 2020
INF 2020-02: Government Pension Income July 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020
INF 2020-03: Rent Freeze for 2021

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

2021 Rent Freeze - Notice of RGI Increase and 24-Month Rule - Reminder

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)

Maximum RGI and 24-month rule

Notice of RGI Ineligibility - 24 Month Rule

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.