Durham Housing

Tenant Services

Affordable Market Rent Housing

What is Affordable Market Rent Housing?

  • Affordable Market Rent housing offers rental units at a rate that is below the average market rent in the community, but not based on income like Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing.
  • This type of housing is designed for individuals and families who may not qualify for RGI subsidies but still find private market rents unaffordable.
  • Affordable Market Rent units help bridge the gap between social housing and private market rentals.

How Affordable Market Rent is Set

Affordable rents are determined using data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Region of Durham. Typically, affordable rent is at or below 80% of the average market rent (AMR) for similar units in the area.

Key Features:

Rent is fixed and not based on household income

Tenants pay the full rent amount each month as listed in their lease

Units are often included in mixed-income buildings alongside RGI units

Annual rent increases follow the Ontario rent increase guideline or as permitted under N2 exemption

Who is Eligible

Affordable Market Rent units are available to:

  • Individuals and families with moderate incomes
  • Applicants who do not qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing
  • Households who can afford rent that is below private market rates but above RGI levels

You will need to provide:

  • Proof of income
  • Identification and references
  • Credit check
  • Confirmation that you can afford the monthly rent

Benefits of Affordable Market Rent Housing

01

Lower than average private market rent Stable, well-managed homes through a community housing provider Access to community supports and programs (if available) Long-term housing security under the Residential Tenancies Act

02

By a higher amount if the unit is partially exempt under N2 regulations (for example, when the unit is designated under a community housing program with special funding terms)

03

Tenants will always receive at least 90 days’ written notice of any rent increase.

Applying for Affordable Market Rent Units

Applications are made directly to the Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation

To apply:

  • Submit a rental application with proof of income and identification here or print/drop off a hard copy application at our office
  • You will be placed on a waitlist for the sites you identified.

Market Rent Waitlist:

  • Applicants are required to update their contact information and site preferences on a regular basis
  • Waitlist times fluctuate based on vacancies and cannot be determined. We do NOT have a wait time estimate. Staff will contact applicants once a suitable unit becomes available to them.
  • Note: If applicants do not respond to our call/email withing 48 hours we will move onto the next applicant. If there is no further contact within 30 days there after then you will be removed from the waitlist.

Rent Geard to Income Housing

What is RGI Housing?

Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing helps make rent more affordable for households with low or moderate incomes. If you live in an RGI unit, your rent is based on your household income — generally 30% of your total monthly income.
This type of housing is subsidized through the Region of Durham to ensure that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Who Manages RGI Housing?

RGI housing is overseen by the Region of Durham and administered by local Community Housing Providers, like us. We are responsible for:

  • Managing day-to-day tenancy and maintenance
  • Calculating and updating your RGI rent
  • Collecting your income and household information annually

How Your RGI Rent is Calculated

Your rent is calculated using the rules set out in the Housing Services Act, 2011 (Ontario) and Regional RGI Guidelines.

In most cases:

Rent = 30% of your total monthly gross income (before taxes)

RGI Annual Reviews

Every year, you are required to complete an annual income and household review to keep your RGI subsidy. You will be asked to provide:

  • Proof of all household income (pay stubs, government benefits, etc.)
  • Notice of Assessment, your taxes need to be completed annually to receive an updated NOA
  • Proof of assets (if applicable)
  • Proof of full-time student status (if applicable)

 

If your income or household size changes, you must report it within 30 days. Failing to submit required documents or updates on time could result in your RGI being terminated.

When to Report Changes

You must notify your housing provider within 30 days if:

  • Your income changes
  • Someone moves in or out of your household
  • Your source of income changes (e.g., start/stop a job, OW, ODSP, etc.)
  • A household member becomes or stops being a full-time student


Reporting changes helps ensure your rent stays accurate and you keep your subsidy.

Moving and Transfers

If you want to move to another community housing unit (for example, for accessibility reasons, family size, or location), you can apply for a transfer through the Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) system. Visit www.durham.ca/housing for more information.

Losing RGI Eligibility

You may lose your RGI subsidy if:

  • You do not complete your annual review
  • You no longer meet eligibility criteria under the Housing Services Act

If your RGI is terminated, your rent will increase to market rent.

Applying for RGI Housing

If you are not already an RGI tenant and wish to apply:

  • Go to the Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) website.
  • Submit an online or paper application.
  • You will be placed on the centralized waitlist that is managed by DASH only.

For more information or to apply, click here.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you are an existing tenant, please contact our office for assistance with your RGI rent, annual review, or reporting changes.