For residents of the District of Rainy River only

The Canada Ontario Housing Benefit provides portable financial assistance to help eligible households in the District of Rainy River afford rental housing.

Unlike unit based programs, COHB is portable. This means the benefit can move with the household within Ontario, as long as eligibility requirements continue to be met.

The benefit helps cover the difference between approximately 30 percent of a household’s income and average market rent, up to the program maximum. Benefit amounts are reviewed annually.

Applications are accepted while funding is available.

• You must live in the District of Rainy River
• You must qualify for Rent Geared to Income housing
• The benefit is portable within Ontario while eligibility is maintained
• Benefit amounts are reviewed each year

Current COHB Recipients

For households currently receiving COHB, call the Ontario’s Ministry of Finance if you have questions about your benefit or need to update your household information: 1-888-544-5101 or 1-800-263-7776 (TTY).

Mandatory Annual Renewal

There are two steps to completing the annual renewal process for your COHB benefit: submit the renewal forms and file your personal federal income tax.

1. Submit renewal forms

• Every year, program eligibility and the amount of COHB benefit is reassessed. In May, COHB participants are sent an annual renewal application form by the Ministry of Finance via email or mail. The form requires households review all pre-printed information and to report any changes to their household composition, address, monthly rent amount and income.
• Renewal forms must be mailed to the Ministry of Finance at:
  Portable Housing Benefit
  c/o Ontario Ministry of Finance
  33 King St. W., PO Box 628
  Oshawa ON L1H 8J6

2. File personal income tax

• All members of a household over 17 years old must file a federal income tax return for the most recent tax year. If household members have not filed their income taxes yet, this should be done immediately to ensure they continue to receive the COHB.

Renewal Deadline

If your household did not receive a renewal form, contact the Ministry of Finance at 1-888-544-5101.

Recipients may lose eligibility for the COHB if they fail to submit a renewal application by the deadline. The Ministry of Finance will provide several reminders and opportunities to submit the annual renewal in advance of the final deadline on September 1.

Households that do not renew by June 30 will not receive payments until the renewal is completed. If clients do not return their annual renewal application by September 1, they will no longer be eligible to receive assistance through the COHB program. Reinstatement into the program is not permitted, as per Provincial program guidelines.