Program Information
The Housing Stability Benefit helps ODSP & OW recipients and People with Low Income maintain their housing.

ODSP & OW recipients can receive help with last month's rent, rent arrears, utility arrears, appliances, mattresses and bed bug prevention. ODSP recipients who are homeowners may qualify for bed bug treatment.

People with low income can receive help with utility & rent arrears.

Ontario Works Recipients
OW recipients apply through their case manager.
 
Housing Stability Benefit - ODSP
Phone:  (905) 526-8100
Fax:  (905) 528-1448
E-Mail: info@housinghelpcentre.ca
119 Main Street East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 3Z3
How to Apply
ODSP Recipients and People on Low Income can apply through the Hamilton Housing Help Centre Via
the following methods:

1. Online: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application. Please specify what you are
                  looking for assistance with and your source of income.

2. Mail-in/Fax-in: You can mail or fax in a completed application to the Housing Help Centre.
                             Address: 119  Main St. East, Hamilton, Ontario  L8N 3Z3
                             Fax: (905) 393-8182
  The application can be downloaded HERE.

3. Phone: Call the Housing Help Centre for help accessing the applicaiton or if you have questions
                  regarding how to complete it. Call (905) 526-8100

4. In-person: Complete the application in-person with a Financial Support Housing Worker at the Housing
                       Help Centre.
                       Address: 119  Main St. East, Hamilton, Ontario  L8N 3Z3

Please Note:
• We request you call before coming to the Housing Help Centre.
• In order for a Financial Support Housing Worker to complete the application process, we request you
bring all the proper documentation.
• We request that only one person per houshold is allowed to come to the Housing Help Centre. If you
need accommodation, please call (905) 526-8100.
Rent Arrears

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: Please provide us with a copy of your N4 notice/Tenant Ledger from within the last 30 days.

Step 4: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us. Payment for Rental Arrears is paid
directly to the landlord or property management company in all circumstances.

Utility Arrears

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: Please provide us with a copy of your most up-to-date bill.

Step 4: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us. Payment for Utility Arrears is paid
directly to the Utility company in all circumstances.

Last Month's Rent

***Please note HSB can assist with Last Month’s Rent only if you are moving within the Municipality of
Hamilton. You can apply for Last Month’s Rent before you move into the unit or within one month after you
move into the unit***

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: If you have already paid Last Month’s Rent, but have not moved into the unit, you can submit a
HHC Landlord Letter OR the full lease. If you have already moved into the unit, but have not paid last
month’s rent, you will need to submit the full lease. Lastly, if you have already moved into the unit and last
month’s rent is already paid, you will need to submit the full lease. Payment for Last Month’s rent is
paid directly to the landlord or property management company in all circumstances.

Step 4: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us.

Moving Costs

***Please note HSB can assist with moving expenses only if you are moving within the Municipality of
Hamilton***

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: Please include a copy of your moving estimate or moving receipt from a registered moving
company. Please make sure estimate or receipt is in your name. Please note in order for us to reimburse
your move, you must submit ALL documentation within 30 days of the move.

Step 4: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us.

Mattress

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: In order to apply for a bed, you will need one of the following supporting documents:
• Doctor’s note for everyone on your benefit unit who needs a bed due to medical reasons.
• Proof of fire or flood.

Step 4: An estimate from a store that accepts our cheques. We can financially assist with the following:
• $400.00 max for an adult mattress and boxspring
• $200.00 max for a child  mattress and boxspring
• $100.00 max for both adult and child’s bedframe
• $50.00 max for both adult and child’s mattress cover
• $25.00 max for both adult and child’s moats/interceptors
(Child: 18 years or younger)

Step 5: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us. Payment for eligible items (as listed
above) are paid directly to the vendor in all circumstances.

Appliance

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: Please include a copy of a letter from your housing provider stating that appliances are your
responsibility OR a letter from special supports stating that your appliance is not able to be repaired.

Step 4: Please include an estimate from a store that accepts our cheques.

Step 5: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us. Payment for appliance is paid
directly to the vendor in all circumstances.

Bed Bug Treatment (ODSP HOMEOWNERS ONLY)

Step 1: Please email fsp@housinghelpcentre.ca for an application.

Step 2: Please include a copy of your ODSP stub from within the last 30 days.

Step 3: Please include a copy of a quote or estimate from a registered pest control company. Please
make sure estimate or quote is in your name.

Step 4: Please include proof of home ownership.

Step 5: Please mail, email or fax all these documents back to us. Payment for the treatment is paid
directly to the vendor in all circumstances.
Housing Stability Appeal
If a client is dissatisfied with the outcome, he/she may appeal directly to the Executive Director or designate to have his/her application reviewed. Within seven (7) days, a reassessment will determine if the client meets the eligibility requirements according to the City of Hamilton rules. Appeals can only be granted if the individual meets eligibility criteria. The applicant will be contacted by Hamilton Housing Help Centre with a written outcome of the result of the appeal including the reason for the outcome.
Program Criteria
Approved applicants are eligible for a maximum amount of money in a 24-month period.

The HSB will not be given to anyone who is setting up a residence outside of the Municipality of Hamilton.

HSB is NOT a mandatory benefit.
Please Note:
We will contact you once we received your application.

We will also contact you to inform you if you have been approved or denied.
If approved, payment will take approximately 15 business days.

To contact us directly please email FSP@housinghelpcentre.ca or call us at
(905) 526-8100