Housing Stability & Rent Ready Benefits

The Housing Stability Benefit or HSB helps Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works recipients and people with low income maintain their housing.

• ODSP and OW recipients can receive help with last month's rent, rent arrears, appliances, moving costs, and mattresses for adults, bed for children, utility arrears and bed bug preparation and prevention.
• People with low income can receive help with utility and rent arrears.

Housing Stability Benefit eligibility criteria:

• Approved applicants are eligible for a maximum amount of money in a 24-month period.
• HSB will not be given to anyone who is setting up a residence outside of Hamilton.
• HSB is not a mandatory benefit.

How to apply for the Housing Stability Benefit

The Rent Ready program helps Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works recipients and people with low income maintain their housing. This program expires on December 31, 2021 or when the program investment of $500,000 is fully allocated, whichever occurs first.

• Eligible applicants can receive financial support for utility and rent arrears and first and/or last months rent.

Rent Ready eligibility criteria:

• Approved applicants must have already accessed their maximum eligibility through the Housing Stability Benefit Program.
• Rent Ready is not available for setting up a residence outside of Hamilton.
• Rent Ready is not a mandatory benefit.

How to apply for the Rent Ready Benefit

Funding for the Rent Ready program is provided by the City of Hamilton