The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) is a rent supplement funded by the federal and provincial governments that helps eligible low-income households pay for housing in the private rental market.
The benefit is tied to the household rather than a specific housing unit and can be used anywhere in Ontario. Benefit amounts are calculated based on factors including household income, household size, and local market rents.
The COHB pays the difference between 30% of the household’s income and the average market rent in the area. For recipients of social assistance, the COHB will pay the difference between the shelter allowance and the household’s rent and utilities costs.
Can I apply for COHB?
In Middlesex County, the COHB application process is referral-based and not open to the general public. Households cannot apply directly for a COHB benefit.
Eligible households who live in Middlesex County (excluding City of London residents) are identified by Middlesex County Human Services in collaboration with local community agencies, in accordance with provincial program requirements, local housing priorities, and available program capacity.
Benefits are distributed through community housing, homelessness, Indigenous, newcomer, youth, disability, senior-serving, and violence prevention programs.
If you are identified as eligible for COHB, Middlesex County Community Navigator team or a participating community agency will contact you directly.
Who is considered for COHB?
Provincial guidelines identify several priority groups for the program, including:
- Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking
- People at risk of or experiencing homelessness
- Indigenous persons
- Seniors
- Persons with disabilities
- Young adults (including those leaving the child welfare system)
The Middlesex County receives a limited number of COHB benefits each year from the Province of Ontario. As a result, being part of a priority group does not guarantee access to a COHB benefit.
What are the eligibility requirements?
To qualify, households must meet all provincial eligibility requirements, including:
- Each household member must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or refugee claimant
- The household must rent their home, and must permanently live in Ontario
- The household’s annual income must be below the household income limits (listed below).
- The household must be on, or eligible for, a community housing waitlist and meet the same eligibility requirements as applicants for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing.
- The household must not already receive Rent-Geared-to-Income assistance or another housing benefit, except for the shelter portion of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits.
- The household must not own a livable home. If applicable, the household must move out within 90 days of eligibility and sell the home within 12 months.
- No member of the household has a deportation order, departure, or exclusion order under the Immigration Act
- The household must have no outstanding rent arrears, unless they are participating in a repayment agreement that is in good standing.
- The household must have the ability to meet ongoing program requirements, including annual tax filing and reporting changes to income, rent, or household information to the Ministry of Finance
- The household must agree to be removed from the Community Housing Waitlist if a COHB benefit is accepted
Household income limits
For households in the Middlesex County, the current maximum household income limits are:
| Unit Size | Maximum household income |
| Bachelor unit | $41,500 |
| 1-bedroom unit | $56,000 |
| 2-bedroom unit | $65,500 |
| 3-bedroom unit | $71,000 |
| 4-bedroom unit | $83,500 |
How can community agencies and housing support providers access COHB for their clients?
Community agencies and housing support providers cannot directly apply for COHB on behalf of clients unless they are participating in the referral process.
The Community Navigators works with participating community agencies to identify eligible households based on provincial program requirements, local housing priorities and available program capacity.
Participating agencies receive information from the County about available COHB allocations, referral requirements, and timelines.
Due to limited annual allocations, not all households who may be eligible for COHB will receive a benefit.
What happens after a household is referred for COHB?
Once a household has been identified by Middlesex County or a participating community agency, they will be invited to submit a COHB application.
After the application is reviewed and approved locally, it is sent to the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Finance, which makes the final decision on eligibility. The Ministry of Finance's processing times may vary, but applications are typically processed within 6 to 8 weeks.
If approved, monthly payments are issued directly to the household, or to the landlord if the household chooses.
Once approved, ongoing program management is handled by the Province through ServiceOntario and the Ministry of Finance.
Questions about the status of a submitted COHB application should be directed to the Ministry of Finance at 1-888-544-5101 or 1-800-263-7776 (TTY).
Can COHB help with first and last month's rent?
Households currently receiving COHB may be eligible to receive assistance with first and last month’s rent when moving to a new rental unit.
This assistance is available once per household during participation in the COHB program.
Current COHB recipients who are planning to move and have not previously received this benefit can contact the Middlesex County Community Navigator at @email for more information.
How do annual reviews and renewals work?
COHB is administered by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Finance and eligibility is reviewed annually.
Annual renewal packages are issued each spring and must be completed by the deadline identified by the Province. Households are responsible for responding to requests and correspondence from the Ministry of Finance related to their benefit.
Households that do not complete their annual renewal requirements may lose eligibility for the program and may not be eligible for reinstatement.
Following the annual review, benefit amounts may increase or decrease based on changes to household income, household size, rent, or place of residence.
The Middlesex County is not involved in annual reviews, renewal decisions, extensions or benefit calculations after a household has been approved for COHB.
Questions about annual reviews, renewals, payment amounts or changes to your file should be directed to the Ministry of Finance at 1-888-544-5101 or 1-800-263-7776 (TTY).
How long can I receive COHB?
COHB is currently funded until 2029. There is no guarantee that funding will continue after that date.
Households may continue receiving the benefit while funding remains available, as long as they continue to meet provincial eligibility and renewal requirements.
Need housing support?
Those who live in Middlesex County (excluding City of London residents) experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact the Middlesex County’s Community Navigator team to complete an intake assessment and explore available supports and services. Through the Community Navigators, households may be assessed and considered for other available resources and programs based on eligibility, need, and availability.
Reach out to the Community Navigator team by phone at 519-930-1012, via email at @email.