Rental Subsidies and Social Housing

Heating Allowance

The Heating Allowance is designed to provide assistance for the Heating Costs of clients living in rental units owned by Social Development and in Non-Profit and Cooperative projects whose rental payments are subsidized by the Department. The Heating Allowance reduces the monthly rent payment of these clients with the amount of the Heating Allowance varying depending on the type of unit, number of bedrooms or the unit's location.

Home Orientation and Management Program

The objectives of this program include assisting participants in making a successful move to their new home; provide useful information on home maintenance, on managing available resources and resources available in their community to help families/individuals meet their daily needs; and provide information for an eventual move into the private market. It is also meant to encourage self confidence and a sense of pride; provide an opportunity to develop their own supportive network and for participants to evaluate and develop their own personal strengths.

Public Housing Program

This program provides subsidized rental accommodation for families and senior citizens who, because of low income experience difficulty in obtaining adequate and affordable housing in the private sector.

Rent Supplement Assistance Program

This program subsidizes rents in eligible rental dwellings for households in need.

Rural and Native/Basic Shelter Rental Program

Assists eligible off-reserve native and non-native households to obtain affordable, adequate and suitable housing in rural communities with a population of less than 2,500 residents.

Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH)

Under the IAH, provinces and territories design and deliver affordable housing programs to address local housing needs and priorities. This may include housing programs for seniors and persons with disabilities. Prince Edward Island (PEI) and Yukon Territory have chosen to extend existing affordable housing delivery arrangements. As a result, in PEI and Yukon Territory, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) delivers assistance for accessibility modifications through the Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence (HASI) program and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP-D).