Finding a place to live is likely to be one of your top priorities. Your housing options depend on your needs and your budget. Housing services and supports can help you find a place to rent, access financial supports, and answer questions about rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
For more information about types of housing in Ontario, visit Settlement.org’s housing section
To learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, read the Residential Tenancies Act (2006)
HIPC has created a guide to finding housing for newcomers, which is available in English, French, and Ukrainian: hamiltonimmigration.ca/hipc-reports
Operates as an access point for subsidized housing in Hamilton. Subsidized housing is when rent is geared to the income of the recipient instead of market rates. Staff assist applicants with the application process and maintains the central waiting list for subsidized housing available from social housing providers.
Eligibility is calculated based on 30% of a household’s gross monthly income. If applicant is receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, a social assistance rent scale is applied. Additional charges may apply depending on the building (e.g. utilities, parking).
The organization is does not operate as a landlord and does not directly offer housing. Does not offer emergency shelters or emergency housing.
Offers Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing within the city of Hamilton, in apartments, townhouses, and single/semi-detached houses. Depending on location, units are available for eligible singles, couples, families, and seniors.
Supports Indigenous youth who are exiting systems such as child protection services, justice, healthcare, or youth whose personal safety may be at risk by providing them with immediate access to housing that is safe, affordable, and appropriate, with zero preconditions. Provides the necessary and age-appropriate supports that focus on health, well-being, life skills, engagement in education and employment, and social inclusion to support young people and facilitate a healthy transition to adulthood.
Provides short-term housing solutions for Indigenous families at risk of homelessness, family separation due to child welfare involvement, and/or family reunification where housing is the primary need. The family is actively supported to find permanent, affordable and appropriate housing within a 3-4 month period.
Provides a place of sanctuary, safety, and support for women (and their children) with a variety of programs.
Family Court Support Worker Program
Facilitates a victim’s understanding of and passage through the family court system. Support provided includes:
Offers supportive housing units to individuals with mental or physical disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and seniors, men, women, and families.
Support staff are located in the building to offer assistance with problem-solving, assist in managing health issues, provide information and referrals to community services, and coordinate social/recreational programming.
Gyo Geh Doh is a transitional supportive housing program for single women in precarious housing conditions. It has an emphasis on wrap-around supports.
Offers free exterior home-improvement services up to $2500 (including labour and materials) to local homeowners who are facing socio-economic challenges, preventing them from completing necessary home repair work.
Provides affordable housing in Hamilton and the surrounding area. Apartments, houses, and townhouses are available.
Provides housing supports and services to youth who are 16-17 years old and are entering a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) with a child welfare agency (such as Hamilton Child and Family Supports or Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton). The Housing Support Worker assists youth in searching for and obtaining housing, as well as maintaining housing, and connects youth to proper supports and services in the community.
Offers transitional housing and support programs for up to 12 months for Indigneous women and children who are at risk of homelessness and poverty. The supportive housing facility is geared towards women and children who have been victims of violence.
Helps Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients, Ontario Works (OW) recipients, and people with low income maintain their existing housing or establish a new residence.
A blended fund comprised of a loan and a grant, to help low-income individuals aged 60 or older purchase a bed. Loans are repaid on a monthly $25 repayment schedule.
Provides services to assist individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are on a low income in finding safe and affordable housing.
Services include:
A culturally safe and appropriate space for Indigenous people to access housing supports and connect with peers in a community-based setting. Access meals, connect with elders and knowledge keepers, access traditional medicine, and meet with housing workers.
Supports Indigenous people who are in need of housing supports or resources to obtain, maintain, or stabilize their housing. Staff will assist clients to explore various housing solutions, establish goals to maintain housing, and increase longevity in tenancy and address their needs with dignity and respect.
Provides housing in southern Ontario including residential care with 24 hour on-site services and supported independent-living apartments. Hamilton has both apartments and homes available with varying levels of on-site care and support.
Free drop-in centre for youth in Hamilton. Offers a variety of themed activities and social events, as well as:
Provides housing support services to individuals with serious mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system. Aims to secure and maintain permanent and affordable housing, assist in the prevention of future involvement with the criminal justice system, and provide connections and support with other community resources as required.
Assists Indigenous women and their families who are or are at risk of homelessness with services required to improve self sufficiency, independence, and stability.
Transitional housing in a supportive, culturally based home environment for women, with or without children, who are fleeing abuse, experiencing homelessness, or seeking refuge in Canada. Includes support to develop tools to achieve independence and self-sustainability.
Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing provides access to affordable housing for Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis persons and families in the Hamilton-Wentworth area.
Operates affordable housing complexes and support services for Indigenous people in the City of Hamilton.
Properties include:
The role of the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is to:
Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence. Offered at a confidential location for up to one year. Services include:
A transitional housing program for young parents under and their children. Provides furnished apartments and support to young parents, with on-site programming and support staff.
Programs and supports include (but are not limited to):
Regulates the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in residential properties.
The Residential Care Subsidy Program aims to prevent homelessness by providing for safe and affordable supported housing in a communal setting for people who require assistance with the daily activities of life.
Offers choices of housing with support options for people who would otherwise be homeless, inappropriately housed in institutions and/or shelters, or inadequately supported in other settings.
Funding is connected to individual residents on a per day basis
Offers affordable apartments at market rent to low-income seniors.
Seniors apartment complex offering market rate and geared-to-income units. Both one and two bedroom apartments available.
Seniors apartment complex offering market rate and geared-to-income units. Both one and two bedroom apartments available.
Non-profit housing for adults 60 years and older. Some subsidized units are available.
A centralized referral and intake process to facilitate timely interventions and supports for seniors impacted by issues such as elder abuse, exploitation, mental and physical health challenges, housing, food insecurity, social isolation, or dementia.
Services offered include:
Offers a property tax credit to older adults who own residential property in Hamilton.
Program assists vulnerable older adults secure and maintain housing in safe and stable environments, providing assistance and/or connections to supports that address hoarding, cleanliness, and noise levels or other disturbances to other tenants. Three months of case management ensures ongoing support.
Operates five subsidized housing projects to meet the needs of families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
A housing program supporting individuals experiencing episodic or chronic homelessness in acquiring and maintaining safe, affordable, and stable housing in Hamilton. Offers intensive case management, referrals, supports, and help obtaining government assistance.
Transitional residential program for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges. Offers a range of personalized, client-focused treatment options.
10 suites of enhanced supportive living arrangements for individuals with dual diagnosis, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, and/or intellectual disability/autism.
This program offers:
Offers residential program in apartment-style units with early intervention for youth aged 16-21 years, experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness, who are working or are in school with the goal of living independently.
Residents are able to participate in programs that get them to a graduated independence program. Activities include hands on learning with cooking, cleaning, and budgeting.
Two stages of living are available:
Provides safe, affordable, and temporary housing to women and non-binary individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, and violence.
Services include:
Provides clean, safe, and affordable transitional housing for up to 210 men at risk. Short-term accommodations provided on a weekly or monthly basis with 24-hour front desk support, including navigation to critical community support services with key partner agencies. Includes non-smoking furnished rooms, shared bathrooms, coffee shop, and free laundry facilities. Overnight security.
Providing support to 16 and 17-year-old youth seeking housing and/or housing maintenance; assistance to search for, view, apply, and retain housing. Support includes developing personal (life skills) and household management skills such as (but not limited to) budgeting, tenant skills, and connecting with additional community supports.
Additional Program Supports include:
Program providing support for youth who have been involved with Family and Children Services. Helps youth to transition to a more independent lifestyle by developing and implementing a personal plan, and providing help navigating adult service systems and connecting with community supports and resources.
Offers the following types of support: