Keep centralized wait list information updated
Once we have approved your application for a Community Housing – Housing Services Act subsidy (formally rent geared to income) you are put on the centralized wait list. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail that has a reference number on it. Keep this letter as a reference.
Your wait can be several years long as there are many residents on the list. We will contact you if we require an update or when any offer of housing is available.
Keeping your information up to date
You’re required to contact us if your information or situation changes. If your information is not updated, your wait time can be affected.
Contact us if there are changes to:
- Your phone number or current address.
- Number of family members listed when you applied.
- Your income and assets.
- Your emergency contact.
- Your family members’ information.
- Your medical or other circumstance.
Contact Housing Client Services to update your information or call 905-453-1300 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What you need
When you call or email us, be prepared to provide us with your:
- unique key ID (client ID)
- full name
- date of birth
- contact phone number
- current address
- email address
This is to verify your identity. Once you contact us to report your changes, we'll advise you on your next steps.
As of July 1, the Ontario government introduced mandatory income and asset limits to be set by each municipality. This rule applies to all applicants on the centralized wait list waiting for community housing. Refer to the centralized waitlist eligibility requirements.
These new requirements apply to all new applicants as well as all applicants currently on the centralized wait list. Current applicants’ eligibility will be assessed during your next annual review process.
All applicants on the centralized wait list will receive only 1 offer of housing. If you do not accept this offer, you’ll be removed from the centralized wait list and your application will be cancelled.
This applies to all applicants on the centralized wait list, including victims of family violence, or human trafficking, and over housed households. The rule applies even if a household has already received an offer of housing.
Keep your application up to date. This includes your phone number, address, and email address.
Due to high demand, there are significant wait times for applicants to receive subsidized housing.
We cannot predict how long applicants will have to wait before housing becomes available. It’s not possible to tell you where you are on the wait list, since the size of the list changes often.
Wait times will vary depending on individual preferences and housing availability. This includes:
- When a vacancy becomes available.
- The number of buildings you have chosen.
- The city you have selected.
- How many bedrooms you are eligible for.
- If you need a wheelchair accessible unit.
Support is available if you need help
- Emergency shelters
- Street Helpline 1-877-848-8481
- Other homeless support
- One-time financial help if you’re facing eviction or behind on bills
- Ontario Works or emergency assistance
- Ontario Disability Support Program
These wait time estimates are based on the size of unit required and location (municipality). Your wait time could be shorter or longer depending on the factors outlined.
| Families 2 or more household members | Singles 1 household member only | Seniors All household members are 65 years or older, or one spouse is 65 years or older | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brampton | 1 to 2 bedrooms 13 or more years 3 to 5 bedrooms 17 or more years | Bachelor, 1 bedroom 12 or more years | Bachelor to 2 bedrooms 9 or more years |
| Caledon | 1 to 2 bedrooms 19 or more years 3 to 5 bedrooms 20 or more years | Bachelor, 1 bedroom 17 or more years | Bachelor to 2 bedrooms 16 or more years |
| Mississauga | 1 to 2 bedrooms 13 or more years 3 to 5 bedrooms 18 or more years | Bachelor, 1 bedroom 14 or more years | Bachelor to 2 bedrooms 7 or more years |
Reduce your wait time
You can help us reduce your wait time by doing the following:
- If you’re already on the wait list and it seems like a long time has passed, do not re-apply. Re-applying can create delays in your application and may make your wait time longer.
- Contact us right away if you move or if there are changes to your situation.
- Be willing to move anywhere in Peel once we contact you.
- Don’t refuse housing when it is offered to you.
You can also reduce your wait time by changing your city preference for housing. Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon have different wait times. To change your city preference, contact Housing Client Services to update your information or call 905-453-1300 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While you’re waiting for community housing, you may search for other living arrangements on your own, and apply for community housing in other municipalities (towns, cities, or regions) outside of Peel.
Low-rent housing
You can look for a lower-cost market rental unit (which isn’t subsidized) on your own. You can check market listings for available apartments for rent.
To find the phone number for a particular market rental unit, you can check our list of Social housing providers in Peel – market units.
Community housing in other municipalities
You can apply for social housing programs in other municipalities outside of Peel, even if you’re already on the wait list in Peel. You can move into housing in the municipality that contacts you first when a vacancy is available.
To apply for social housing programs in other municipalities, you’ll need to visit their websites and follow their instructions to apply. Every municipality has its own application process. To find a list of municipalities offering social housing programs, visit Ontario’s list of Service Managers and their service areas.
If you are not currently on the centralized wait list, do not send in these forms. Complete our online screening request for housing help. Once you complete the screening and receive your confirmation letter, we will contact you with next steps on how to submit the documents.
If you are currently on our centralized wait list and have a change in your circumstances, call us at 905-453-1300, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to discuss your change. We’ll advise you if one of these forms needs to be completed and sent to us.