Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) is a type of housing assistance. It lets you pay about 30 per cent of your income for rent. There are RGI units at all social housing providers in Durham Region. Some private landlords offer RGI.
Apply for RGI assistance
There is a wait list for RGI units. To apply, you must complete an application form and return it to Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH). DASH runs the wait list for RGI and modified units.
DASH wait list
If you are eligible for RGI, you will be placed on the DASH wait list. Most people need to find their own rental housing in the private market while they are on the wait list as it can be a long wait.
Eligibility for RGI
You may be eligible for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) if:
- You are able to live independently with or without support services.
- You are over 16 years and older.
- You are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a refugee claimant, or you are applying to become a permanent resident.
- You are not under a removal order to leave Canada.
- You do not owe money to any social housing provider in Ontario (or you have an agreement to repay this money).
- Your income and assets are within the allowable limits.
Allowable income limits
Your income limit applies to the largest unit that you can move into, even if you move to a smaller unit.
To be eligible for RGI, you cannot have income of more than:
- $40,000 for a one-bedroom or bachelor unit.
- $45,000 for a two-bedroom unit.
- $51,000 for a three-bedroom unit.
- $61,500 for a four- or five-bedroom unit.
Allowable asset limits
A single person cannot have assets of more than $50,000.
A family cannot have assets of more than $75,000.
Some assets are not considered in this total, such as personal items, including:
- Clothing.
- Furniture.
- Vehicles.
- RRSPs.
- Retirement Income Funds.
- Life Income Funds.
- Life annuities.
- Assets as a result of pain and suffering awards.
Occupancy standards
There are rules about the size of the RGI unit you can move into. Normally you cannot live in an RGI unit that has more than one bedroom per person. Spouses usually share a bedroom. You cannot normally live in an RGI unit smaller than one bedroom for every two people.
You can request an additional bedroom if:
- You and your spouse are unable to share a room because of a disability or medical condition.
- You need an extra room to store medical or disability-related equipment.
- You are disabled and looking for a roommate.
How RGI is calculated
RGI is normally about 30 per cent of your total gross monthly income. Gross income is your income before taxes. If you receive Ontario Works or ODSP, your housing provider may calculate your RGI at a set amount.
There are rules about how RGI is calculated that your housing provider must follow:
Information for RGI tenants and co-op members
Find out more information about your rights and responsibilities as an RGI tenant or co-op member.
Appeals
If you disagree with a decision about your RGI, you can appeal to the Regional Review Panel.
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