The Forms

Everything you need to submit an application for subsidized housing in Ottawa:

• Before Submitting Your Application
• While Completing the Application Form
• After Completing the Application Form
• Application Forms

Before Submitting Your Application

1. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements
2. Review how the process works
3. Check whether you might qualify for an assigned priority
4. Think carefully about your specific housing needs and which areas of the city you wish to live in
5. If you will need an interpreter to support you through this process, have their name and contact information ready for the form

What you need to submit along with the application form:

• scan or photocopy of one of the accepted forms of identification* as proof of Canadian residency for all members of your household
• scan or photocopy proving one of the accepted forms of current income** for all members of your household who are 18 years of age or older
• signatures of all members of your household who are 16 years of age or older

* Accepted forms of identification:

• Canadian birth certificate
• proof of live birth in Canada or registration (for a child under the age of 2)
• hospital birth record
• documentation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada acknowledging application for permanent status in Canada
• Canadian citizenship certificate
• registered Indian band status (Indigenous)
• valid Canadian passport
• landed status papers, including date of landing
• Quebec and Newfoundland baptismal certificate
• permanent resident card
• immigration documents indicating convention refugee or refugee claimant
• social insurance number card (optional)

** What do we mean by “income”?

Any wages, benefits, and gains of every kind and from every source.

“Gross household income” is the total of all the incomes of every household member 18 years of age or older who is expected to live in the housing you are applying for.

Accepted forms of income (must be current):

• notice of assessment from CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) → preferred
• full statement from Ontario Works or ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program)
• employment pay stub
• letter from employer
• bank statement with your name on it

While Completing the Application Form

• Read the Instructions carefully
• Be truthful
• Answer all questions (applications that are incomplete or missing the required accompanying documents will not be considered)
• Contact uswith any questions or for help

If you wish to be considered for an assigned priority or subsidized housing, please indicate so in the relevant sections of the application form. We will follow up with you directly to discuss your situation and possibly seek further documentation, such as a letter from someone in one of the professional roles listed in Assigned Priorities.

After Completing the Application Form

We do our best to review application forms within 7 to 14 business days after submission. They are reviewed in the order they are received based on date of submission.

If any additional documentation or information is required, we will contact you by phone or regular mail.

To support your application for subsidized housing in Ottawa, you may eventually be required to pursue income from one or more of the following sources. We will let you know.

• Ontario Works
• Employment Insurance
• support payments
• sponsorship agreement related pension or support payments

Application Forms

The two main application forms for subsidized housing in Ottawa are for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) housing and Affordable Housing.

Application for RGI (rent-geared-to-income) housing in Ottawa

Please fill out this application form on your screen, save it, then print it for submission; or print it out to complete by hand. Don’t forget to attach:

1. copies of your proof of residency (identification)
2. proof of current income for all members of your household who are 18 years of age or older

Completed application forms can be mailed to:

Social Housing Registry of Ottawa
Suite 511, 2197 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON K1H 7X3

Or hand delivered to:

Suite 206, 240 Catherine Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 2G8

Paper applications are also available at The Registry office (Catherine Street location) and at various housing support agencies around Ottawa.

We do not accept applications by fax.

Application for Affordable Housing (AH) in Ottawa – which includes the Below Market Rent (BMR) program

Please fill out this application form on your screen, save it, then print it for submission; or print it out to complete by hand. Don’t forget to attach:

1. copies of your proof of residency (identification)
2. proof of current income for all members of your household who are 18 years of age or older

Completed application forms can be mailed to:

Social Housing Registry of Ottawa
Suite 511, 2197 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON K1H 7X3

Or hand deliver to:

Suite 206, 240 Catherine Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 2G8

Paper applications are also available at The Registry office (Catherine Street location) and at various housing support agencies around Ottawa.

We do not accept applications by fax.

Attention housing support workers: For applicants who are unable to access explanations of housing types on this website, please print this page as an accompaniment to the RGI (Rent-Geared-to-Income) and Affordable Housing application forms.

Secondary content

Social Housing Registry of Ottawa
Suite 511, 2197 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, K1H 7X3