Several bylaws and policies have information about housing charge subsidies as of August 16, 2026. They deal with the Federal government subsidy for 25% of our households.
In 2017, the co-op signed an updated rent supplement agreement with CHMC. Our subsidy bylaw is the model from CHFT based on the agreement and was passed by the Board and co-op membership in 2019. It points out that rent supplement agreement with Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) will take precedence over the Housing Charge Subsidy bylaw.
1. Key document – Housing Charge Subsidy bylaw
Housing Charge Subsidy Bylaw #81
Attachment A has a sample Application for housing charge subsidy
Overview:
1.2. Priority of the By-law
(a) In case of any conflict between this by-law and the Co-op’s Occupancy By-law or Organizational By-law, the latter by-laws will prevail. If there are any conflicts between this by-law and the rent supplement agreement with Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), the latter will prevail.
2.2. Thirty per cent (30%)
This program is for households who pay thirty per cent (30%) or more of their Gross Household Income for housing accommodation.
2.3. Eligibility requirements
(a) meet the eligibility requirements as set out in Attachment 2.
(b) provide accurate information about who lives in the unit and proof of their income;
(c) update their information with the co-op within ten (10) days whenever there is a change in household composition and/or household income.
2.4. Burden of Proof
The burden of proof of initial or continued eligibility for RGI subsidy and/or the amount of subsidy shall, in all cases, be the responsibility of the applicant.
2.5 Overhoused Households
(d) If someone dies who is living in the household at the time of their death, the remaining member(s) will be granted one year before having to move to meet minimum requirements.
2.6. Procedures for Overhousing
(a) An overhoused household must place their name on the internal waiting list and relocate to a more appropriate sized unit.
(b) Or an overhoused household receiving rent supplement can opt to pay the difference between the full housing charge for their current unit and the full housing charge for the most expensive unit they are eligible for under the occupancy standards set by the housing charge subsidy service provider (CMHC). This is called an Overhousing Surcharge. (Must tell the co-op in writing of this decision.)
(e) The household may refuse the first two units offered to it, but must move to the third unit. If a smaller unit is offered and the household refuses to move, they are no longer eligible for assistance.
(f) The overhoused household will not be charged an overhousing surcharge while waiting to relocate to the more appropriately sized unit. However, the overhousing surcharge will apply after the refusal of one (1) unit offer of the appropriate size.
41. Application Process
(d) All residents in the household, including long-term guests, must report and provide proof of income and sign the application.
- 2. Occupancy Bylaw:
Appendix C: Housing Charge Subsidy Terms and Agreement, Occupancy Bylaw
3. Attached document: additional articles from bylaws and a policy
From:
- Occupancy Bylaw
- Membership Bylaw: member approval and unit allocation
- Organizational Bylaw
- Emergency Housing Charge Assistance Policy