unit allocation – Woodsworth Housing Co-operative

Relocation, the internal waiting list and unit allocation

Summary

If you are a Woodsworth member currently living in the co-op and wish to move to a different unit:

Apartments and townhouses are allocated based on waiting lists.
Complete the Internal Relocation Form (available online or in the Photocopy Room).
Management is responsible for maintaining the lists and making offers based on the lists and the Membership Bylaw and the Occupancy Bylaw.
You may check the internal waiting list at any time (copy room) or speak with Management, who oversees waiting lists and unit allocations.

1. Qualifications for a unit in Woodsworth

(Member Approval and Unit Allocation (Membership Bylaw), Article 4.2)

(a) The co-operative must be satisfied that the household will meet the obligations to pay the monthly charges to the co-operative in accordance with the bylaws and their occupancy agreement. The co-operative will take into account whether or not the household qualifies for a subsidy in the new unit if a subsidy is available. See also Article 5.1.2 (c) Household in arrears.

(b) The household must meet occupancy standards. [See Occupancy
Bylaw, Article 9 for details and about when the standards do not apply.]

2. Types of waiting lists

Internal waiting list for unit allocation – Membership Bylaw, Article 5.

External waiting list for unit allocation – Membership Bylaw, Article 6.

3. Who can join the Internal Waiting List?

The Internal Waiting List is made up of members or households who live in the co-operative who are:

(a) Want or need to move to a different unit, or
(b) Are required to transfer under the co-operative’s Bylaws or any requirements of a rent-geared-to-income program or the Occupancy Bylaw, or
(c) Are former members who have been approved as returning members.[Membership Bylaw, Article 5]

Not a Woodsworth member?

→ See External waiting lists and moving into Woodsworth.

4. Additional eligibility restrictions

(Membership Bylaw, Article 5.1.2)

To join or remain on the internal waiting list, members must meet all of the following:

Minimum residency

Members must have lived in their unit for at least 2 years before applying. The Board may approve exceptions.

New members who joined as long-term guests or Turning 16’s

These new members must be members for 2 years before joining the internal waiting list. Time before becoming a member does not count.

Financial requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility.

Verifiable proof of income is required.

Arrears

Households in arrears may not apply or transfer units.

Exception: required rent-geared-to-income (RGI) moves.

Occupancy rules

Members may apply only for units they qualify for based on occupancy standards.

After moving, households must meet occupancy standards for three years. Otherwise, they are considered over-housed and must move to a smaller unit to meet occupancy standards. See Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.4

All prospective occupants of the household must be listed on the relocation request and waiting list.

5. Occupancy Standards

Who counts toward occupancy:
* Members
* Children
* Long-term guests with a signed long-term guest agreement.
Casual guests do not count.
There must be at least one member living in each unit.
There is no co-op-specific maximum occupancy, but all units must comply with City of Toronto property standards.
You must meet minimum occupancy standards to be eligible for a certain unit size:

Unit size	Minimum people	Exceptions
1 bedroom	Minimum – 1 occupant	None
2 bedroom	Minimum – 1 occupant 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

Source: Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.3

6. Choosing unit preferences

You may have requests up to two unit types at a time.

Preferences may include:
Unit type
Street or floor
Specific unit(s)

Tip: Narrow preferences (for example, a specific floor or street) do not lower your position on the list, but may delay offers. You will only be offered units that match your stated preferences.

Adding preferences does not give the household any priority for units.

7. How units are offered

When a unit becomes available:

Management offers it to the first qualified applicant based on:

Waiting list position, and
Stated preferences
Offers alternate between the internal and external waiting lists.Exceptions apply for:
Priority needs
Wheelchair-adapted units

For details, see Alternating between internal and external waiting lists – unit allocation.

8. Offers, refusals and contact rules

The co-op will try to contact you within 3 business days.
You have 3 business days to respond.
No response counts as a refusal.
After 3 refusals, you are moved to the bottom of the internal waiting list.

Important notes:

One refusal is counted per offer, not per preference.

The number of preferences you list does not affect refusal counts and does not give any priority when a match for your preferences comes up.

9. Move-in timelines for internal relocations

After accepting an offer, you will receive at least 30 days to move into the unit.

You must move on the specified date.

Once you accept a unit, you are removed from all other waiting lists.

10. After you accept a unit:

Your household is removed from all waiting lists. [Membership Bylaw Article 4 (k) ]

Members in your unit must sign a new Occupancy Agreement.

You will receive at least 30 days’ notice for an internal relocation.

Withdrawing acceptance / refusal after acceptance of a unit
Acceptance of the unit may not be withdrawn by the member without the consent of the Board. Members of the household cannot appeal the Board’s decision. [Membership Bylaw, Article 5.5.6]

External moves follow different timelines. They are given more time to move in. If the unit is ready earlier, the household should move in sooner if it won’t cause them financial loss. [See Membership Bylaw, Article 6.2.8.]

The household must pay or update the first and last month’s housing charges and a maintenance deposit equal to half of the last month’s charge. If you receive a subsidy, different rules apply. Refer to Occupancy Bylaw, Article 3.5.

You must vacate your current unit and move into the new one on the specified date. [Moving date when relocating, Membership Bylaw Article 5.5.7]

You must live in your new unit for at least two years before rejoining the waiting list. [Membership Bylaw, Restrictions on joining the internal waiting list, Article 5.1.2 (a) Minimum period of residence]

In some cases, the Board may make an exception to the residency requirements. If you need an accommodation for accessibility reasons, Woodsworth has a policy in place to support you. [Membership Bylaw, Waiving residency requirements, Article 5.2.5]

Your household must continue to qualify for the unit size based on the occupancy standards for 3 years. [Membership Bylaw, Article 5.1.2 (d) Restrictions on joining the internal waiting list]
See also: See Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.4

11. When should you update your Internal Relocation Form?

You should update your form as soon as possible if:

- - - - Your household size or composition changes
        
        Your accessibility needs change
        
        You now qualify for a larger unit
        (Example: a couple or parent with a child may qualify for a 2-bedroom townhouse; single applicants qualify only for mid-rise or Wilton Street units)
        
        Your contact information changes (phone or email)
        
        Your income changes (affects affordability and subsidy eligibility – (Membership Bylaw, Article 4.2 (a))

Reminder:

Updating your information or preferences does not affect your position on the waiting list. (Membership Bylaw, Article 4 (g) and (h))

12. Where to Get the Form

Schedule E of the Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw – Internal relocation application form

Copies are available:
– In the Photocopy Room
– On this website

13. Moving out of the co-op

If you move out of the co-op, you lose your membership. Former members cannot join the Internal Waiting List unless they have been formally approved as returning members.

[Membership Bylaw, Article 8. Moving out of the Co-op
A notice to end occupancy is also a notice to withdraw from membership and a notice to withdraw from membership is also a notice to end occupancy rights.
The Occupancy Bylaw in Article 10 outlines:
• How a member gives notice that they are moving out.
• What happens when only part of a household ends membership and occupancy
• Death of a member

14. Recommended reading for details

Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw
→ Article 4: Allocating Units
→ Article 5: Internal Waiting List
Occupancy Bylaw
→ Article 9.3: Occupancy Standards

Alternating waiting lists
How alternating between the internal and external waiting lists works and what the bylaw says.

Final reminder:

If you’re thinking about relocating, make sure your form is up to date.
Accurate information helps ensure that:
– You don’t miss an offer
– You don’t receive offers for units you no longer want or qualify for
– You avoid unnecessary refusals

External waiting lists and moving into Woodsworth

This explainer is for people who do not live in Woodsworth but wish to get an apartment or townhouse in the co-operative.

There are two steps to moving into a unit in Woodsworth Housing Co-op.

– First, you must apply for membership. However the external route to membership is only open when there is a reasonable path to residency. See Vacancies

– Once your application is approved by the Board of Directors, you will join the external waiting list, as housing units are offered through the waiting lists.

If you already live with a Woodsworth member—such as a long-term guest, resident teen, or returning member — you would follow the similar internal membership process. See Membership guide

Membership process:

To be placed on the external waiting list, external applicants must first attend an information session. These sessions are held infrequently and only when the external waiting list is open.

At this time, we do not anticipate opening the external waiting list in the near future, as it is currently full.

When an information session is scheduled and the external waiting list opens, Woodsworth will:
– Announce it to members through the Weekly Newsletter so they can
– inform family and friends
– Publish the notice on the Woodsworth website
– Ask the Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto to post the information on its website

Membership approval

All new members moving into the co-op must complete the membership process outlined in Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw #84. This includes:
– Attending an information session
– Being interviewed by the Membership Committee
– Receiving final approval from the Board of Directors

Membership criteria:

See Criteria

About Woodsworth’s housing stock

Woodsworth has apartments in the mid-rise building at 133 Wilton Street, townhouses on George Street South, Albert Franck Place, and Frederick Street. There are also street access units on Wilton Street. Only the 1-bedroom units in the mid-rise building are stair-free accessible units. Woodsworth also has three (3) wheelchair-adapted units.

Unit allocation and waiting lists

Housing units are offered through waiting lists. External applicants are offered units based on their position on the External Waiting List. Woodsworth staff are responsible for managing waiting lists, offering units, and coordinating move-ins.

When applying for membership, external applicants indicate their requested unit size and type on the membership application form. Management transfers these requests to the appropriate external waiting lists after approval by the Board of Directors.

Occupancy standards

Applicants will only be offered units for which they qualify under the Occupancy Bylaw.
Specifically, Article 9.3(a) sets out the minimum number of occupants required for each unit size.

Applicants will only be offered a unit that they qualify for based on the Occupancy Bylaw’s occupancy standards:

Occupancy Bylaw, Article 9.3 (a) describes the minimum number of persons for each of the co-op’s unit sizes.

Unit size	Minimum people	Exceptions
1 bedroom	Minimum – 1 occupant	None
2 bedroom	Minimum – 1 occupant 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 number of persons does not include short-term guests or visitors.

The number of persons does includes babies and children.

The Ontario Family Law Act determines whether a child is considered the member’s child for the purposes of housing in Woodsworth.

There is no maximum number of people except as set by the City of Toronto bylaws.

Your household

If your household composition has changed since your Board approval, you must notify Management.

Any new co-residents over the age of 16 must apply for long-term guest status. Management will assist with this process; however, Board approval is required. Approved long-term guests may attend the next annual internal membership information session. Note that those who become members in your unit have equal rights and responsibilities as you. (Membership Bylaw, Article 2.3.3 (c) Long-term guests applying for membership)

There are rules about pets and number of pets. See Rules Bylaw, Article III.

Unit offers and acceptance

Management is responsible for issuing unit offers and coordinating all tasks related to moving into Woodsworth. All members are required to sign an Occupancy Agreement for their unit.

Woodsworth’s members have approved a bylaw which includes alternating between internal and external waiting lists. While there will likely be a long wait to be offered a unit, it should speed up the process. For more information see
Alternating between internal and external waiting lists

Timelines, offers, refusals and contact rules

There are timelines for replying to unit offers from Management and to move-in dates.

Co-op tries to reach you within 3 business days.
You have 3 business days to respond.
No response is counted as a refusal.

After three (3) refusals you are bumped to the bottom of the list – for more information, see #9 on this summary of the rules: https://www.woodsworthcoop.ca/index.php/unit-allocation-procedures/

Refusal count does not depend on how many preferences or size units you’ve listed.
One refusal is counted per offer that meets your criteria, not per type of unit.

Limiters (Special Requests)

Applicants may specify preferences such as unit location or other features. However, if an available unit does not match these preferences, the household will be skipped and not offered the unit. This is not considered a refusal under Article 4(h) of the Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw.
Please note that adding special requests or limiters may delay the time it takes to be offered a unit.

Changes to unit requests

Applicants may change their requested unit size, unit type, or location preferences at any time without affecting their position on the waiting list, in accordance with the Membership: Membership Bylaw: Member Approval and Unit Allocation, Article 4(g).

If your household size or makeup has changed, your accommodation needs (accessibility) or ability to pay for a unit has changed, you should consider adjusting your unit request.

Move-in timelines

If a household on the external waiting list accepts a unit that has been offered to them, they will not be required to take occupancy and commence payment of the housing charges until the first day of the third month following the offer, approximately sixty (60) days.

If the unit is vacant earlier, the household must make all reasonable efforts to move in and commence paying the housing charges earlier, if it can be done without financial loss to them. (Membership Bylaw, Article 6.2.8 Moving date: taking occupancy in Woodsworth)

The move must happen on the specified date.

Once a unit is accepted, you’re removed from all other waiting lists for Woodsworth.

The members in the household must sign the Occupancy Agreement. See Management.

Maintaining your application

If you are on a waiting list, it is essential that Woodsworth management has your current contact information, including your mailing address, phone numbers, and email address.

Your place on the external waiting list

To check your position on the external waiting list or to update your contact information, please contact the Office by phone at 416-363-3418 or by email using the Contact Woodsworth link.

Please note that Woodsworth also maintains a priority waiting list for special circumstances, particularly for disability-related accommodation, as required under human rights legislation. As a result, it is not possible to determine an exact position on the waiting list.

For more information:

Unit allocation, time lines (offers, refusals), and more: unit allocation

Unit types and floor plans.

For details, see the Membership Bylaw, Membership Bylaw: Member Approval and Unit Allocation

Alternating between internal and external waiting lists – unit allocation

Woodsworth alternates between waiting lists for units of the same size.

This is based on the Membership: Membership: Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw Article 4.1].

Management must follow the bylaw when units become available.

1. Woodsworth has two waiting lists – internal and external.

Explainers

Internal:

For information about how the internal waiting list works, see Relocation, the internal waiting list and unit allocation

External:

For information about the external waiting list, see External Waiting Lists and moving into Woodsworth

Priority internal waiting list:

The priority internal waiting list is separate and is not part of the rotation but relates to human rights and accommodation. See Priority waiting list
See also 2 (f).

2. How alternating works

(a) The co-operative will fill vacancies alternately from the internal and external waiting lists unless there is someone with established special priority for that sized unit. See Article 5.2.1 about priority list.

(b) Alternation of waiting lists applies to all sized units: 1, 2. 3 and 4 bedroom units.

(c) One (1) of each unit size will be filled from the internal waiting list and then the next available of that unit size will be filled from the external waiting list. Each unit size (bedroom) waiting list operates independently.

(d) One bedroom units will be filled alternately between the one bedroom internal and external waiting lists.

Two bedroom units will be filled alternately between the two bedroom internal and external waiting lists.

Three bedroom units will be filled alternately between the three bedroom internal and external waiting lists.

Four bedroom units will be filled alternately between the four bedroom internal and external waiting lists

(e) If no one on the appropriate waiting list is qualified for or accepts the available unit, the alternate waiting list for that size unit will be used.

(f) Only moves from the regular internal and external waiting lists count for alternating between internal and external wait lists.
– A priority move doesn’t count as an internal move.
– Allocation of wheelchair adapted units does not count as an internal or external move.

3. Membership Bylaw

To see this in context, visit the full Membership Bylaw – Member Approval and Unit Allocation bylaw #84.

Unit allocation and apartment and townhouse floor plans

Woodsworth has a mix of housing units.
There is an eight story mid rise apartment building on Wilton Street with 122 units.
Unit sizes in Woodsworth range from 1 – 4 bedrooms.

Nearly all Woodsworth units with two or more bedrooms have stairs:

One bedroom units in the mid-rise have no stairs.
One bedroom units in the stacked units on George and Frederick are on the third level and have stairs.
Two bedroom apartments in the mid-rise have stairs to the units since they utilize the space over the common hallways on the 3, 5, and 7 floor for the second bedroom. There are a few one-bedroom units at ends of the floors which may have an extra room but have stairs.
Twenty two units have direct street access from Wilton Street. The two bedroom units are on the ground floor have a patio, and have outside stairs only. Those on the second floor have a balcony and are located above the patio units and thus have inside stairs as well as the outside stairs.
Additionally, there are two units, one at each end of the mid-rise that front on George S and Frederick, both smaller 1 bedroom units. No inside stairs, just a few outside.
There is also a two bedroom unit off the lobby without stairs.
There are also two, three and four bedroom units on George, Frederick and Albert Franck but these have inside stairs as well as a few stairs outside on George and Frederick Street.

Townhouses:

There are a total of 70 townhouses on George Street South (east side), Albert Franck Place and Frederick Street (west side) and all have stairs.
The townhouses include stacked and “mews” units (garage on the ground floor in the mews units on Albert Franck Place).
The two bedroom units in the stacked units on George and Frederick Streets are two story units with stairs to the bedroom and bathroom level. The three and four bedroom units are three floors plus a basement.
The Albert Franck units have three bedrooms on the third floor with the kitchen and living room on the second floor. The ground floor has a utility room / unfinished rec room with patio doors to the back garden. Exception: the south-east end unit adjacent to the laundry room.

Please note that individual units may have changed somewhat.
Kitchens in some townhouse units were remodelled some years ago with an open plan not an enclosed kitchen or with a cut-through to the living room. Floor plans do not reflect these changes. More recent kitchen renovations retain the original layout.

Basements and ground floor rec rooms in the townhouses may have been finished by members. The standard of finish varies. Some may be a lounge space and some may be storage.

Click here for floor plans.

Woodsworth’s Criteria Guideline for Priority Moves

Schedule F of the Member Approval and Unit Allocation (Membership) Bylaw. Woodsworth’s Criteria Guideline for Priority Moves

Confirmed by members on September 26, 2023 as part of the Member Approval and Unit Allocation (Membership) Bylaw

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 first step is to fill out the Priority Move Application and then meet with the Woodsworth Manager. This process is completely confidential. If the member does not qualify for the Priority Internal Waiting list, the member can fill out a Relocation Application to go on the main internal waiting list. The Board of Directors will review and give final approval to the Accommodation Plan.

CRITERIA

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.

Management is in charge of the procedures. If you require a priority move, please use this application form.

Application form

For more information:

Priority internal waiting list and priority relocation