The supplement offers up to $500 a month towards their rent as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. This fund will benefit people with low to moderate incomes, who do not qualify for existing rental assistance programs.
WHAT IS THE TEMPORARY RENTAL SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM
The supplement will be available for April, May and June 2020. Renters who are eligible for the program and have already paid their April rent are still able to receive the rental supplement for this month.
The supplement will be paid directly to landlords on behalf of renters to reduce tenants’ rent owing and ensure landlords are getting some rental income right now. Once an application is completed and processed, funds will be direct deposited within approximately seven days.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY RENTAL SUPPLEMENT
The rental supplement is available on a per-household basis to those who meet all of the following criteria:
- receiving or eligible for Employment Insurance, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit or experiencing a 25% reduction in monthly employment income as a result of COVID-19;
- 2019 household income of less than $74,150 for households with no dependents and $113,040 for households with dependents;
- paying more than 30% of current/reduced gross monthly income towards rent; and
- not receiving any other rent subsidy from any level of government, including subsidized housing or rent supplements, such as Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) or the Rental Assistance Program (RAP).
HOW TO APPLY FOR TEMPORARY RENTAL SUPPLEMENT
Applications should be completed by the tenants. After the completed application is reviewed and deemed eligible, the landlord will be notified through email. The landlord will have to then complete the application, confirming details around tenancy, rental address, monthly rent amount. and banking information to receive payment by direct deposit.