Category: Membership, long-term guests, relocation & unit allocation

Woodsworth households, occupancy standards, and unit sizes

A Woodsworth household includes only people who have official approval and status under the co-op’s bylaws.

Who is part of the household

These people count toward household size and occupancy standards:

  • Members
    • Approved by the Board of Directors
    • Have signed an Occupancy Agreement for the unit
  • Long-term guests
    • Approved by the Board of Directors
    • Have signed a long-term guest agreement for that unit
    • Live only in that specific unit
  • Children of members
    • Under age 16 who live in the unit
    • Age 16 or older who continue to live in the unit
    • Whether someone qualifies as a “child” is determined by the Ontario Family Law Act
Who is not part of the household

These people do not count toward household size and have limited or no rights:

  • Casual guests (short-term visitors)
  • Visitors
  • Sub-occupants / sub-lessees
Rights of people who are not members

Long-term guests

  • Count toward occupancy standards
  • Are not members
  • Have no independent right to live in the unit
  • Cannot stay in another unit unless they move with the household
  • Have no place on the internal waiting list
  • May apply for membership only if the household members agree
  • The Board may withdraw their long-term guest status

Children and young people up to age sixteen (16)

  • Same rights as long-term guests – i.e. count toward occupancy standards and are not members.
  • Teens automatically become long-term guests if they do not apply for membership.
  • Are encouraged to apply for membership after they reach age 16.
  • A modified or simplified membership process applies to applicants between the ages of sixteen (16) and nineteen (19) – “Turning 16s”

Casual guests

  • Have no right to live in the co-op
  • Are not part of the household

Sub-occupants

  • Have rights only as defined in their approved sub-occupancy agreement
  • Are not part of the household
Key takeaway

Only members, their children, and approved long-term guests make up a Woodsworth household. Everyone else may stay only temporarily or under special agreements — and does not count for occupancy standards.

Unit selection and relocation – occupancy standards:

  • Occupancy standards set the minimum number of people required to occupy a unit. They also restrict members to a maximum number of bedrooms.

  • Each unit must be occupied by at least one member.

  • For occupancy standards, household size includes all those with Woodsworth status: members, children, and long-term guests.

  • Household size does not include guests without long-term guest status, visitors, or sub-lessees.

Woodsworth’s occupancy standards (Occupancy Bylaw):

Unit size

Minimum people

Exceptions
1 bedroom Minimum – 1 occupant None
2 bedroom Minimum – 1 in mid-rise and Wilton Street only 2 occupants required for 2-bedroom townhouses.
3 bedroom Minimum – 3 occupants None
4 bedroom Minimum – 4 occupants None

The co-op bylaws don’t specify maximum household size, but say it is determined by the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Property Standards, Occupancy Standards. (See Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.3)

Applying for membership

In all cases, applying for membership starts with attendance at an information session held by the Membership Committee.

Priority internal waiting list and priority relocation

Based on the Membership Bylaw: member approval and unit allocation, Articles 5.2, 5.5, Schedule F.

Members may be eligible for placement on a separate Priority Internal Waiting list if they are experiencing a Medical or Disability Accommodation needs, severe Financial Hardship, or Domestic Violence.  See Article 5.2.1 Priority Internal Waiting List

By legal requirement, Medical and Disability Accommodation requests have priority. Applications regarding Financial Hardship or Domestic Violence will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.

The priority waiting list is

– For members experiencing medical/disability accommodation needs, severe financial hardship, or domestic violence.
– Requires documentation.

Summary of Priority Criteria – Membership Bylaw: Member Approval and Unit Allocation, Schedule F

– Priority eligibility: Medical/Disability, Financial Hardship, Domestic Violence.
– Medical/Disability has legal precedence over others.
– Applications are confidential.
– Board approves the final Accommodation Plan.

More details about priority requests for relocation

Membership Bylaw, Article 5.2.1 – Priority Internal Waiting List

(a) Eligibility
Members may qualify if facing:

    • Medical or disability accommodation needs.
    • Severe financial hardship (must not be in arrears).
    • Domestic violence.
    • Disability and medical accommodations take legal precedence.

      (b) Human Rights
    • Requests for accommodation under Ontario Human Rights legislation receive top priority.

(c) Application Process

  • Submit a Priority Move Application.
  • For medical/disability accommodation: also submit an Accommodation Request Form.
  • Meet with the Woodsworth Manager.
  • Board of Directors makes the final decision.
  • If approved:
    • An Accommodation Plan is developed collaboratively.
    • If denied, members can still apply to the regular internal waiting list.(d) Unit Offers
  • Member gets up to three (3) offers for suitable units.
  • After three refusals, priority status is revoked; member must join the regular waiting list to continue pursuing a move. (Article 5.5.5)
Special rules for priority moves based on accommodation
    • Waiving Residency Requirements – Article 5.2.5
      Normally, members must live in their unit for 2 years before being eligible to move.  The Board may waive this requirement for priority cases (e.g., accommodation needs).
  • Woodsworth normally fills vacant units by alternating between the Internal Waiting List and the External Waiting List. (Membership Bylaw, Article 4.1(f))

However, this alternating system does not apply in the following cases:

  • Priority Waiting List– If an applicant or member qualifies for special priority and requires a unit of the available size, that person is considered first, regardless of whose turn it is under the alternating system.
  • Wheelchair-adapted units – The alternating system is also bypassed when filling wheelchair-adapted units, which are allocated according to the applicable bylaw provisions.
  • In these situations, the priority rules take precedence over the normal alternating process.
What isn’t a Priority Move – Article 5.2.4

  • Priority under Article 5.2.4 is based on a member’s accommodation requirements. Other situations that use the word priority or require a member to move do not give priority on the Internal Waiting List unless Article 5.2 specifically says they do.

    Examples include:

    • Being required or encouraged to move does not automatically move you ahead of other members on the Internal Waiting List. For example:
      • Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.4 – Not Meeting Minimum Household Size
      • Housing Charge Subsidy Bylaw, Article 2.5 – Overhoused Households
    • Requesting only certain units for relocation does not reserve those units for you or give you priority when one becomes available. You must still be the highest-ranked eligible member on the waiting list at that time. Limiting the units you are willing to accept does not change your position on the waiting list. (Membership Bylaw, Article 5.2.4(b))
CRITERIA for priority moves

(Schedule F, Membership Bylaw: Member Approval and Unit Allocation)

Medical or Disability Accommodation

A request for a Priority Move due to Medical or Disability reasons must follow the Woodsworth’s Accommodation Policy for Residents with Disabilities based on the Ontario Human Rights Code. An Accommodation Request Form will also need to be filled out as part of this process.
The Co-op’s obligations are limited to accommodating disability-related needs, not members’ preferences.

The manager will request documentation from an appropriate health practitioner detailing the nature of the individual’s disability, any restrictions resulting from the disability, the expected duration of the restrictions, and the basis for the medical conclusions.

Each person’s situation will be individually assessed by the Co-op Manager. If the manager determines a current housing unit is detrimental to a member’s medical condition and a different unit is needed soon, then the member would qualify for the Priority Move waiting list.

The manager and member will go through the accommodation procedure together. The manager may propose other accommodation options that meet the member’s needs. If the member accepts an accommodation option other than priority relocation, the member can join the main internal waiting list requesting a different unit.

Management and the Co-op website can provide detailed information on the Woodsworth Accommodation Policy and the Accommodation Planning process.

Financial Hardship

If a member is experiencing severe financial hardship and has an urgent need for a less expensive unit, the member must present third-party financial or legal documents to the Co-op Manager as part of the application for a Priority Move.

Proof of severe financial hardship might include, but is not limited to the following documentation:
bankruptcy documents (filing documents, proof of claim etc.), creditors letters, bank statements, record for employment for job loss.
Those with financial issues must not be in arrears. See Article 5.1.2 (c)

Domestic Violence

Woodsworth’s Occupancy Bylaw #82, 7.3, defines violence against another person in the same household as domestic violence. 7.4a of Occupancy Bylaw states: The co-op does not tolerate domestic violence. It will try to
assist victims of domestic violence. Members who engage in domestic violence may be evicted.

If a member has experienced domestic violence, is no longer living with the abuser, yet fears for their safety by remaining in the same unit, they can request a Priority Move to another unit. Documentation may be required. Examples include a restraining order and a peace bond.
The Occupancy Bylaw outlines the co-op’s response to domestic violence. Article 7.4.

Application form:  Priority move application form for members

 

Proof of principal residence and ID requirements for membership

Membership Documentation Requirements  for Woodsworth membership

from: Membership Bylaw (Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw), Attachment B.

To receive a membership application form at a membership information session, long-term guests and Turning 16s (aged 16 to 19) must show proof that Woodsworth is their principal residence.

These applicants must bring:

    1. Applicants must bring photo ID.
    2. Long-term guests must also bring a copy of their signed and witnessed (by staff) long-term guest agreement.
    3. Two (2) types of documentation from the following list must be presented to prove Woodsworth is their residence.

Accepted Documents

Documents may be paper or digital (screen print), unless otherwise stated.
Photocopies are not accepted.

Note:

  • The Membership Committee will not retain any copies of these documents.

  • The Woodsworth Board may request to see the original documents.

This list is part of the Membership  Bylaw, Attachment B.
The Board enhanced the list in June 2024.
List to the information session for membership – two (2) items required:
  • Valid Ontario driver’s licence (or valid license with previous address and a temporary license with Woodsworth address). An application for a change of address is not accepted.
  • Valid Ontario Photo Card (only if a driver’s licence is not presented)
  • Ontario vehicle permit (ownership) (green form) with Woodsworth address
  • Bank statement with name and membership applicant’s address. (recent)
  • A major credit card (show physical card) plus a copy of a recent statement for that credit card. (Counts as 1 item.)
  • Income tax Notice of Assessment or T4 (recent)
  • Statement of direct deposit for Ontario Works (recent)
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) (recent)
  • Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E) (recent)
  • Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (recent)
  • Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A) (P) (recent)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits (T5007) (recent)
  • Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) correspondence
  • Recent correspondence from the Federal or Ontario governments addressed to the membership applicant at Woodsworth, received within in the last 3 months. (Not forwarded mail)
  • Any of the following recent statements from a bank, trust company or credit union: TFSA RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP statement

Turning 16s: 16-19 year olds may present any of the above for long-term guests or any of the following:

  • School, college, university report card or transcript or letter from the school or institution on letterhead showing applicant’s name and Woodsworth address
  • Employer record (e.g. pay stub, letter from employer on company letterhead)
PHOTO ID:

Additionally, membership candidates attending an information session must show one piece of government-issued or institutional photo ID with their name. (The address is not required.)

Acceptable photo ID includes:

  • Passport

  • School ID card

  • Work ID card (if it has a photo)

  • Driver’s licence

  • Ontario Photo Card

  • Health Card (OHIP card, if you choose to use it)

Please note: If you present a driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card as your photo ID, it may also be used as one of your documents for proof of residence.

Applicant Type

What to Bring

Notes
LTG Signed LTG agreement (witnessed by staff), 2 proofs of residency, photo ID Talk to staff if issues with documents
Youth (16–19) 2 proofs of residency, photo ID No LTG agreement needed
Returning Member Proof of at least 2 year residency as member. Photo ID and proof of address. Attend internal session: residency proof ahead of time recommended
External Applicant Proofs listed in invitation Invited only when external waitlist is low
Human rights

According to human rights legislation, Woodsworth must deal with residents’ needs in a way that is inclusive and free of barriers based on disability, a duty to accommodate.

If you need help with the list of required documents, please ask Management or the Membership Committee for confidential help.

Woodsworth teens, become a member when you turn 16!

✅ Eligibility for “Turning Sixteen” Membership Process

You may apply for membership through the “Turning Sixteen” process if:

  • You are between 16 and 19 years old, and

  • You grew up in Woodsworth, meaning you lived here before you turned 16, with your parents or guardian, and

  • You are a child of a member or a member is your guardian, and Woodsworth is your principal residence

  • If you move in after your 16th birthday, you follow the regular long-term guest process for membership.
Membership criteria

Applicants should have:

(a) An understanding of co-operative principles and member participation

(b) A positive attitude towards living in a community with people from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds and have a commitment to treating other members with respect

(c) An interest in contributing to the operation and life of the co-operative

(d) A willingness to accept their responsibilities as co-operative members

(e) Indication of permanency or long-term commitment to the co-operative

📝 Turning Sixteen Application Process (Special Process)

  • Attend an information session (watch for the announcement in the Weekly or email: woodsworthmembership@gmail.com)

  • Bring proof that Woodsworth is your main home

  • What else must you bring these documents to the information session

    –  Photo ID        – No LTG agreement needed

  • Application must be co-signed by the other members in your unit

  • Board approval is required, but:

    • No formal interview

    • No credit check or income verification

    • No long-term guest agreement needed

Once approved, you become a full member with:

  • The right to vote in general meetings

  • The right to run in most elections (must be 18+ to run for Board)

  • The right to apply for your own unit after 2 years of being a member

🚫 If You Don’t Apply

  • You automatically become a Long-Term Guest (LTG)

  • LTGs do not have voting rights or membership privileges.

  • If your family moves out, you must also leave.

❗️What If You’re Already 20 years old?

  • If you lived in Woodsworth before you turned 16, you can still apply, but not through the Turning Sixteen process

    • No need for a long-term guest agreement

  • If you moved in after age 16, you can apply for membership through the regular adult process, but: