The Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF) provides money for emergency housing needs topeople receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works, income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) in the city of Toronto or support through Emergency Assistance issued to migrants under an emergency authorization for humanitarian reasons. HSF is intended to prevent homelessness and help obtain and retain housing.
To meet emergency housing needs, money from HSF may help with costs such as:
- rental or moving costs within the Province of Ontario
- rental or energy arrears in Toronto
- bed bugs
- setting up a residence in Toronto
Please note that reimbursem*nts cannot be issued for items already paid for prior to the request for HSF.
Read full details about this benefit and maximum HSF amounts in theHousing Stabilization Fund policy
Who Can Apply
People in Toronto receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works, income support through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or migrants who are in receipt of Emergency Assistance and in Canada under an emergency authorization for humanitarian reasons may be eligible for money from the Housing Stabilization Fund if they are:
- Homeless and leaving an emergency shelter or the street
- Housed and moving within the Province of Ontario because of domestic violence, fire/flood or to accommodate a change in family size
- Housed and moving within the Province of Ontario due to a high rent situation or eviction
In these situations, HSF may be issued to help with:
- Rental costs within the Province of Ontario
- Moving costs within the Province of Ontario
- Setting up a residence in Toronto (HSF is not issued to replace old, worn or broken furniture)
People receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works or income support through ODSP may also qualify if they are housed and in energy arrears (gas, hydro or fuel) with risk of disconnection or rental arrears.
If other emergency housing needs exist, speak to your caseworker. For example, funds may be issued to purchase a bed or soft furniture that has been discarded due to bed bugs.
If you have an emergency housing need and you do not currently receive financial/income assistance from Ontario Works or ODSP, contactThe Toronto Rent Bank for help.
How to Apply
For those who receive financial assistance from Ontario Works or income support from ODSP, speak to your Ontario Works or ODSP caseworker. Your caseworker will provide information to you about the fund and then an assessment of your request will be completed.
You will be asked to provide proof of your situation, for example, a letter from your landlord, eviction notice, disconnection notice, police report, or a letter from the pest control company.
HSF cannot be issued to reimburse for items already paid for prior to the request.
If you have an emergency housing need and you do not currently receive financial assistance/income support from Ontario Works or ODSP, contact The Toronto Rent Bank for help.
After Applying
We will let you know whether or not you are eligible, and for how much, within 4 business days of receiving all required documentation.
If you receive income support from ODSP and have questions about the status of your request for HSF, you can call 416-397-5550.
If you are a migrant under an emergency authorization for humanitarian reasons and receive Emergency Assistance or receive financial assistance from Ontario Works you can contact your caseworker.
Reviewing a HSF Decision
If a request for HSF is turned down and you have an address, a decision letter will be mailed. If you do not have an address, you will be advised of the decision by telephone. If you cannot be reached by telephone a decision letter will be made available to you at the local office upon request.
If you disagree with the decision, you have 30 days to write a letter to the HSF caseworker requesting a review of the decision. If there is any information that you have not already provided that might help during the review process, please include this information with your letter. The request will be completed by the Appeals Review Unit and you will receive a decision by phone or in writing.
If you disagree with the outcome from the Appeals Review Unit, the decision can be appealed further, to the Decision Review Committee (DRC). You must complete the Request for Review by the Decision Review Committee form which is provided with the decision letter, and forward it to the Appeals Review Unit by mail:
Decision Review Committee
c/o Appeals Review Unit
111 Wellesley St. E., 4th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4Y 3A7
The Decision Review Committee meets monthly. Once the committee reviews the case, you will be advised of the final decision within 4 business days of their meeting date.
For full details visit the TESS policies and procedures page about the Housing Stabilization Fund.
