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20 1 6 WA I T I NG L I S T S S URV E Y R E POR T
The Regional Municipality of Halton has
pioneered a number of programs in recent
years to assist households on their waiting
list. Through partnerships with developers
and acquisition of existing units, Halton was
able to cost-effectively add 40 condominium
units in Burlington, Oakville, and Milton to
its portfolio in 2015. These units will provide
additional affordable housing to households
currently on the RGI housing waiting list. The
rents in these new units are set at 80 per cent
of average market rent, but Halton will use
its local Rental Assistance Program add on a
subsidy to reduce cost of rent, making them
more affordable for low-income households.
Enhancing housing stability
Halton has also made strides as the first
community to replicate WoodGreen
Community Services’ Homeward Bound
program. Homeward Bound is a capacity
building program for single mothers that
are insecurely housed or experiencing
homelessness. It includes support for housing,
education, and childcare. Through partnerships
with local institutions and community groups,
Halton-based participants will complete
a post-secondary degree and receive
employment supports and training over a
three-year period. Currently, 15 women are
participating in Halton’s Homeward Bound
program. The goal of the program is for the
participants to “achieve economic self-
sufficiency, which results in them moving up
on the housing continuum.”
In Sault Ste. Marie, new initiatives have been
introduced to rapidly assist households in crisis.
When households apply to the RGI waiting list,
they are assessed by a Tenant Support Worker
using the Service Prioritization Decision