Credit Counselling of Regional Niagara
Contact: Joanne Paolozzi, Rent Bank Administrator
Email: joanne@ccrn.ca
Phone: 905-684-9401 X33 or 1-800-663-3973
Fax: 905-687-9904
Address: 264 Welland Avenue, St. Catharines ON, L2R 2P8
Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30
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RENT BANK PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Principles
The Rent Bank Program has been designed in accordance with the following principles:
"Hand Up" not a "Hand Out" program
Community partnerships are focused on the needs of the client
Applicant will be empowered to deal with their immediate emergency
Applicant will be positioned to maintain their tenancy in the long run
Description of the Rent Bank Program
The purpose of the Rent Bank Program is to:
Avoid potential eviction of low-income people due to short-term rental arrears and to promote housing stability
Divert people from emergency shelter systems thus creating cost savings for the province and municipalities who share responsibilities for shelter costs
Program Criteria
Payment may only be used for rent arrears for eligible applicants
Payment can only cover up to two months' arrears
Applicant's need and potential for long term housing must be considered before approving an application
Applicant's household income must be below LICO
Payment for rent arrears is to be made directly to the landlord
Landlord has to agree to stop eviction proceedings
Applicant has to agree to repay the loan
Eligibility Criteria
Rent
Rental unit must be located within Niagara region
Up to two months rent will be paid
Arrears must be verified
The rent of the proposed housing unit must be sustainable
Landlord
Landlord must agree in writing to stop the eviction proceedings
Landlord must confirm that tenant is not subject to foreseeable eviction proceeding for reasons other than rent arrears
Tenant must repay landlord for Tribunal costs that may have been incurred
Minutes of Settlement signed by landlord
Applicant
Must be a Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or have Refugee or Refugee Claimant Status, with no outstanding removal order
Must be 16 years of age or older
Household income must be below $30,000 for Singles, $35,000 for Couples or $40,000 for Families
Not currently in debt to the Rent Bank
Must demonstrate that the financial crisis is temporary (not chronic) and can be addressed through a one time loan assistance
Must have exhausted all other financial resources including: Community Start Up Benefits
Does not qualify for other forms of financial assistance
Loan
There is a reasonable expectation that the loan will be paid within 15 months of receipt
Maximum loan would be $1,500.00
Subjective Criteria
Will this intervention prevent the eviction?
Are there other issues affecting the family's ability to stabilize?
Will the client be able to cope with repayment along with their other expenses?
Ineligible under the Program
People who are in receipt of rent-geared-to-income assistance
Mortgage payments, arrears over two months and tribunal expenses
