Steps to Apply for Housing

Please review the Building List to decide which building is the best for you (Rent-Geared-to-Income and CWHS Affordable).

An RGI application can be completed online or by printing a paper copy.  You only need to submit your application in one format.

To complete an online application, you will need the following Internet browser: Firefox, Chrome, Edge. Please note that Internet Explorer is a compatible browser.

If you need help completing an application please contact Housing Services: 519.837.5492 x4060.

I would like to Complete an ONLINE Application (Online)

I would like to Print an Application (Paper copy)

You may qualify for Special Priority Status or Local Priority.  Look at the descriptions below.  If any of the circumstances seem to apply to you please contact our office.

Whether you are submitting a paper or an online application, you are required to include documentation to confirm your eligibility.

Please ensure that you have included all of the appropriate identification and supplementary forms with your application. Provide the following for all household members:

• Legal status in Canada documentation for all household members. Examples of acceptable documents to prove status in Canada include:
  • Canadian Birth Certificate
  • Citizenship Card
  • Permanent Residency Card
  • Refugee approval documents with valid expiry dates

• Income information for all household members over 16 years of age

• Information about any money owed to, or re-payment plans with a Social Housing Provider

• Consent and declaration for all household members over 16 years of age

• Informed Consent to Release/Obtain Information Form
• Medical Form (request for accessible unit)

Online Application

Paper Application

Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off at:

138 Wyndham St. North
Guelph N1H 3T9
T 519.837.5492

For Assistance

Appointments can be made with staff to meet at the Fergus and Mount Forest location.

Regular Business Hours:

• Office open Monday to Friday ~ 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Summer Hours ~ 8:30am to 4:00pm (Victoria Day to Labour Day)

To be eligible for affordable housing you must meet the following criteria:

• At least one member of the household must be over the age of 16;

• You must be able to live independently with or without support services;

• Each member of the household must have legal resident status in Canada (Canadian citizen, permanent resident status, or have applied for permanent resident status or refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada);

• No removal order has become enforceable against any member of the household under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;

• No member of the household owes money from a previous tenancy in any housing project under any housing programme to a social housing landlord;

• No member has been convicted for misrepresentation of income in relation to RGI assistance under the Criminal Code, by a Court of Law or under the Residential Tenancies Act by an Landlord and Tenant Board;

• Household income must be under the established income limit by type of unit depending on your family composition;

• If you own property, you have to sell it within 180 days after receiving RGI assistance.

The system for selecting households is based primarily on date of application. Special priority may be given to your application if a member of the household is being or has been abused; or if a household member is being or has been trafficked. There is also a local priority granted to households meeting the description of Local Priority.

The waiting time will vary depending on the housing location you choose and the number of bedrooms you need. The average wait time is 5 years and some have waited longer than 8 years to be housed.

• If your address changes
• If your phone number changes
• If any other information or document on your application changes

As an applicant for RGI assistance, you are required to keep your file updated in order to be on the centralized waiting list and maintain your eligibility status. It is your responsibility to notify the County of Wellington Housing Services of any changes in the information or documents you previously submitted. The minimum reporting time is thirty (30) days.

Manage Your Account - Online

If you have an existing application you can manage your information by registering your account.  With this account you can view and modify your current application, building selections and make changes to your household information.

To register for an online account, you will need the following information:
Registration Code
First Name
Last Name
Date of Birth
Email Address

If you you not have the information listed above please contact cwlclerk@wellington.ca or 519.837.5492 x4060 and request an Online Registration Letter.

Applicants for RGI assistance will be contacted within 30 days of receipt of their application for housing if applications are complete and meet eligibility requirements. You will be notified within seven (7) business days if your application is incomplete.

You may be contacted either by telephone, in writing or via email.

Please make sure that the County of Wellington Housing Services has up to date contact information, so you (or an alternate) can be contacted when a unit becomes available.

With written consent, communication may take the form of electronic data exchanges (email).

 What should I do while I wait for an offer of housing?

It is important that you keep your application up to date. You must notify the County of Wellington Housing Services about any changes to any of the information you have given us in application form. You must do this within thirty (30) days of the change occurring, for example:

• If you change your address, phone number or email
• If the number of people in your household changes
• If the contact person on your application form changes

If you do not do this, your application may be cancelled and you will have to re-apply.

 How much rent can I expect to pay?

A geared-to-income rent or housing charge is based on 30% of your gross monthly household income from all sources (before taxes and deductions). 

If your only source of income is Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program, the charge is based on a social assistance housing charge scale.

Additional charges may apply depending on the location.  When your housing charge is calculated, all assets of the household are also taken into consideration.

In addition, services and utilities vary by property.  The County of Wellington Housing Services can advise you of the situation at each location and will clarify rent calculation upon offer.

Affordable Rent is based on 80% of average market rent in the region.  Additional charges for utilities and parking my vary by building.  Affordable rents must be within set income limits.

• One person per bedroom
• You can choose to have two people share a bedroom
• Couples are given one bedroom
• In certain situations, an extra bedroom may be allowed

You can choose more than one unit size if it fits your household size. For example a couple with three children may choose a three or four bedroom unit.

If you disagree with a decision about your application, we do recommend that you try to work with the person who made the decision. If you are unable to, you can request a review by completing and sending us the Request for Review of Decision form that was mailed to you with your decision letter. If you do not have this form, please call the Review of Decision Coordinator at 519.837.5492 x4361 or email reviewcoord@wellington.ca. Please note that only certain types of decisions are reviewable.

The following decisions made by the centralized waiting list or a housing provider are reviewable by the Review of Decisions system:

• The household is not eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance;
• The size and type of unit that would be permissible if the household received rent-geared-to-income assistance;
• The household is not included in a category given priority over other categories;
• The amount of rent payable by the household;
• The household is no longer eligible for rent-geared-to-income assistance;
• The household is not eligible for special needs housing;
• The special needs household is not included in a category given priority over other categories;
• The household that occupies a special needs housing unit no longer continues to be eligible for special needs housing.