Two different problems, two different systems
Needing a place to sleep tonight and working toward stable housing are handled by different systems. For tonight, use the shelter guide (Central Intake or 311). This page is about the longer path: keeping housing you have, or moving toward housing you can afford.
Do this first
Behind on rent, or need a deposit? Try Toronto Rent Bank
Grants for eligible Toronto residents behind on rent or needing a rental deposit — you don't repay a grant.
Call 416-397-RENTOn OW, ODSP, or Emergency Assistance? Ask about the Housing Stabilization Fund
Emergency housing money for recipients — ask your caseworker or TESS directly.
Low income and planning longer-term? Apply for rent-geared-to-income housing
Toronto's centralized waiting list — rent is based on income, often around 30%. Wait times can be long.
Call Access to Housing
RGI is not an emergency option
Rent-geared-to-income housing has long wait times. For immediate shelter needs, call Central Intake at 416-338-4766 or 311.The main pathways
Toronto Rent Bank — grants for arrears or deposits
For eligible Toronto renters paying market rent (covered by the Residential Tenancies Act), with proof of income, not currently receiving OW or ODSP, and spending no more than 85% of household income on rent. The City page lists rental-arrears grants up to $5,000 and deposit maximums by unit size — amounts change, verify current rules.Housing Stabilization Fund — for OW/ODSP/EA recipients
Helps with emergency housing needs: leaving shelter or the street, moving due to domestic violence, fire, flood or family-size changes, or eviction. May cover rental or moving costs. Request it through your caseworker or TESS.Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing
Apply through Access to Housing and join the centralized waiting list. You select areas or wards where you want to live, keep the application updated, and respond when contacted about an offer.Housing help services
The City's Housing Help services connect renters with housing help centres, application support, eviction prevention, and free legal advice.
What to gather
- ID (see the ID guide if documents are missing).
- Proof of income.
- Lease or rent documents and rent receipts.
- Arrears notices, if you're behind.
- Bank statements.
- OW/ODSP case information, if applicable.
- Proof of household members; immigration or status documents if relevant.
Key contacts
Toronto Rent Bank
Grant program for eligible Toronto residents behind on rent or needing rental-deposit help. Administered with Neighbourhood Information Post.
Eligibility rules and grant maximums change — confirm current criteria when applying. OW/ODSP recipients are usually directed to the Housing Stabilization Fund instead.
Housing Stabilization Fund
Emergency housing funds for Toronto residents receiving OW, ODSP, or Emergency Assistance — to obtain or keep housing.
Request through your caseworker or TESS with proof of the emergency housing need.
Access to Housing (RGI)
Centralized application and waiting list for rent-geared-to-income subsidized housing in Toronto.
Waitlist-based — keep your application and contact info current so you don't miss an offer.
Facing eviction or a landlord dispute? See the tenant rights guide.
Peer worker tips
- Sort the client's need first: tonight (Central Intake), this month (Rent Bank / HSF), or long-term (RGI). Mixing them wastes calls.
- Rent Bank vs HSF: not on OW/ODSP → Rent Bank; on OW/ODSP/EA → HSF via caseworker.
- RGI applications go stale — help clients keep contact info current and respond to offers quickly.
- Rules and amounts for Rent Bank and HSF change; verify the City pages before quoting figures to a client.
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Toronto Rent Bank — City of Toronto
- Housing Stabilization Fund — City of Toronto
- Rent-Geared-to-Income Subsidy — City of Toronto