Contact: Kristine Dearlove, Waterloo Region Rent Bank and Eviction Prevention Program
Address: 165 King Street East, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 2K8
Tel: 519-743-2460 x 225
Fax: 519-742-7895
E-mail: kdearlove@lutherwood.ca

The Rent Bank and Eviction Prevention Program was established in February 2002 with a goal of providing a fund to assist tenants with last month's rent or rental arrears. Eligible applicants can access up to $1200 through an interest- free loan with lenient repayment strategies. The Program is a component of Lutherwood's housing services.

Complimentary programs include the Housing Action Centre and the Families in Transition program. This is an extraordinary vehicle to connect many sectors of the community ranging from persons who are homeless, to agencies delivering services, to private sector developers and to the public.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Landlord verification of arrears or last month's rent
• The rent of the housing unit must be sustainable
• The tenant must demonstrate that the financial crisis is temporary -
  not chronic - and can be addressed through a one time loan assistance
• The arrears must not exceed a maximum of two months of rent
• Applicants must have exhausted all other resources
• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Not currently in debt to the Rent Bank
• Not subject to foreseeable eviction proceedings for reasons other
  than present arrears
• The rental unit must be located within the Region of Waterloo (including Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo)
• Must be a canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or have Refugee or
  Refugee Claimant Status, with no outstanding deportation, departure or
  exclusion order
• The rental unit must fall within the Residential Tenancies Act
• The landlord must be willing to accept the payment and agrees to
  stop all eviction proceedings

Rent Bank loans are provided for: Rental arrears, First & or Last, Tribunal

Accepting applications from: Self-employed individuals, Refugee claimant

Maximum loan provided: $1,200

Collect repayments: A practical repayment plan is negotiated with the tenant. Repayments can occur using a pre-authorized payment on the 20th of each month, or post-dated cheques dated for whenever is most convenient for the tenant.

Funded by: The Province of Ontario, the region of Waterloo and the Consolidated Homelessness Prevention Program (CHPP)