Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)
The COHB is a jointly funded, federal-provincial housing allowance program. The purpose of the COHB is to increase the affordability of rental housing by providing an income-tested, portable housing benefit payment directly to eligible households in housing need that are on, or are eligible to be on, a social housing waiting list and to households in housing need living in community housing.
The COHB program begins in April 2020 and will continue until the end of the 2028-29 fiscal year, subject to annual budget approvals.
The COHB must be reported for income tax purposes but will not be included in an individual’s taxable income, nor will it be included when the Ministry of Finance calculates the actual benefit amount.
Eligibility
Household members must meet the following criteria to be eligible to begin receiving a COHB benefit:
A Canadian citizen
A permanent resident
Has made an application for status as a permanent resident under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), or
Has made a claim for refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) and no removal order has become enforceable under the Act against the member;
Be on a social housing waiting list; or eligible to be on such a waiting list or living in community housing
Not be in receipt of, or part of a household in receipt of, RGI assistance, a COHB benefit, or any other government-funded housing benefit, except for social assistance shelter payments.
Consent to being removed from the social housing waiting list of the Service Manager where the application was completed and approved, and
Not reside in a home suitable for year-round occupancy (within or outside Ontario) owned by a member of the household within 90 days of being determined eligible.
Effective April 1, 2020, applications will be available at the DTSSAB offices located at: 290 Armstrong Street, New Liskeard and 29 Duncan Avenue N. Kirkland Lake. For more information please email cohb@dtssab.com