FAQ

  1. Does St. Clare’s have subsidized housing?

St. Clare’s is a private not for profit landlord. Approximately 75% of our tenants are subsidized and pay a rent-geared-to-their-income. Our other tenants pay a rent that is at or below the CMHC Average Market Rent.

 

  1. How do I apply for subsidized housing?

St. Clare’s doesn’t have a waiting list or an application process for subsidized housing. If you want subsidized or rent-geared-to-income-housing, you have to be referred to St. Clare’s by one of our Partner Agencies. You can also apply to Housing Connections (416 981-6111) or Access Point (416-640-1934), for subsidized housing.

 

  1. How do I get on the waiting list for subsidized housing?

The waiting list for subsidized housing is kept by third parties. Please call Housing Connections (416 981-6111) or Access Point (416-640-1934). If you are already receiving service from one of our Partner Agencies you can talk to your support person at that agency.

 

  1. How much rent do tenants’ pay?

Tenants receiving government assistance pay the shelter component of their monthly benefit. Subsidized tenants with other types of income pay approximately 30% of their gross income for rent. Tenants living in an unsubsidized apartment pay the CMHC’s Average Market Rent.

 

  1. Do all tenants of all St. Clare’s units pay rent?

Yes. All tenants living in our buildings sign a lease and pay rent.

 

  1. What is the difference between Average Market Rent and Subsidized Housing?

The apartments are the same, but a tenant who is subsidized has their rent reduced to make the apartment affordable for them according to their income. Unsubsidized tenants pay the Average Market Rent regardless of their income. If you apply for Average Market Rent the combined income of all occupants cannot exceed four (4) times the rent.

 

  1. What does affordable housing mean?

The federal and provincial governments have defined affordable housing as rental housing with rents at or below the CMHC Average Marker Rent. The average market rent changes annually. For the latest Toronto market rents visit: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1117.aspx

 

  1. Are all apartments at St. Clare’s subsidized?

No. In some of our buildings only half the tenants are subsidized, the remaining tenants pay the average market rent.

 

  1. Do tenants have a time limit of how long they can stay in one of St. Clare’s apartments?

No. St. Clare’s apartments are subject to the Residential Tenancies Act; there is no time limit on tenancies.

 

  1. What is the relationship between St. Clare’s and its tenants?

St. Clare’s is the landlord. All St. Clare’s tenants sign a lease. The relationship is that of a landlord and a tenant.

 

  1. Is St. Clare’s supportive housing?

No. St. Clare’s rents self-contained apartments which are subject to the Residential Tenancies Act to tenants who live independently. Many of our tenants receive support from one of our partner agencies, but St. Clare’s does not provide support.

 

  1. Does St. Clare’s provide support?

No. St. Clare’s works with a number of partner agencies which provide ongoing support services to the tenants that the agency refers to the buildings. Those support arrangements are required by St. Clare’s in order to be a Partner Agency.

 

  1. What role does St. Clare’s play in the operations of its housing projects?

St. Clare’s is the property manager of its buildings and directly hires the building staff.

 

  1. Is St. Clare’s developing more housing?

St. Clare’s is always looking for opportunities to develop more affordable housing.

 

  1. What is the timeline for a new building?

It is a long process – It can take three to four years from the time when a site and funding is secured until the time when a people move in. Projects under development are listed on the web site. Applications for housing in a new building are not accepted until six months before the units are completed.

 

  1. Does St. Clare’s work in partnership with developers?

St. Clare’s works in partnership with developers on large affordable housing projects.

 

  1. Does St. Clare’s receive funding from provincial, federal and/or municipal government?

St. Clare’s receives no government funding for its operations.

St. Clare’s receives capital grants from all three levels of government to assist the development of our new affordable housing projects. The capital grants St. Clare’s receives are also available to private developers.

 

  1. What are the rents charged by St. Clare’s?

St. Clare’s charges a rent equal to or slightly less than the CMHC Average Market Rent to all its tenants. (Go to http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1117.aspx for a list of the current Average Market Rents.) St. Clare’s is able to provide rent subsidies to some of our tenants who qualify based on financial need and the availability of funds.

 

  1. Is St. Clare’s social housing?

St. Clare’s is social housing because we have a social mission: we develop and manage affordable housing which is subject to the Residential Tenancies Act to tenants who live independently. St. Clare’s is able to provide rent subsidies to tenants who qualify based on financial need and the availability of funds. St. Clare’s works with a number of partner agencies which both refer tenants and provide ongoing support services to tenants.

St. Clare’s is not social housing as it is defined by the Housing Services Act.

 

  1. Are St. Clare’s developments accessible to those using mobility devices?

Most of St. Clare’s buildings are accessible to people using mobility devices by way of elevators and ramps. Only 180 Sudbury Street and 877 Yonge Street have units that are specifically designed for people who use mobility devices (like wheelchairs or power chairs).

 

  1. Does St. Clare’s have religious affiliations?

No. St. Clare’s Multifaith Housing Society is not affiliated with any particular faith or creed.