Program Information
The Housing Emergency Fund through the Housing Help Centre helps ODSP recipients maintain their housing.

ODSP recipients can receive help with last month's rent, rent arrears, utility arrears.

Ontario Works Recipients
OW recipients apply through their case manager.
 
Housing Emergency Fund - 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 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 application 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 household 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.

Please be aware we only keep documentation for 30 days.
If we do not receive all required documents and/or required information within those 30 days, the application will be withdrawn. All documentation will become invalid.


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 heat or hydro notice.


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.

** All existing grants available must be exhausted (LEAP, EAP, etc.)

Please be aware we only keep documentation for 30 days.
If we do not receive all required documents and/or required information within those 30 days, the application will be withdrawn. All documentation will become invalid.


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.
To qualify for HSB, you must rent from owner of the property.***

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.

Please be aware we only keep documentation for 30 days. If we do not receive all required documents and/or required information within those 30 days, the application will be withdrawn. All documentation will become invalid.


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

HEF 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