Hastings County Programs & Services

The program is available to residential property owners whose property is their primary residence and who meet one of the following criteria:

Low-Income Seniors

Applicants, or their spouse, must:

• Be 65 years of age or older by December 31 of the taxation year; and
• Be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Ontario Works assistance.

Low-Income Persons with Disabilities

Applicants, or their spouse, must:

• Be receiving benefits through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
• There is no age requirement for qualifying applicants under this category.

To qualify, the property must:

• Be located within Hastings County.
• Be in the residential tax class.
• Be fully taxable.
• Be the applicant's principal residence for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application.

Properties used seasonally, cottages, rental properties, or homes that are not the owner's primary residence are not eligible.

Eligible applicants may receive relief equal to the increase in property taxes from the previous year, up to a maximum of $250 annually.

Examples

• Previous taxes: $2,300 | Current taxes: $2,500
  Eligible relief: $200
• Previous taxes: $1,900 | Current taxes: $2,500
  Eligible relief: $250 (maximum)
• Previous taxes: $2,700 | Current taxes: $2,500
  Eligible relief: $0

If there is no increase in taxes, no relief can be granted under the program.

Applications should be submitted through your local municipal tax office. Centre Hastings residents can identify their municipality by the first four digits of their property tax roll number, which for Centre Hastings is 1230.

Residents are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and complete the application if they believe they qualify.

This program is designed to provide financial relief to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who may be affected by rising property taxes, helping eligible residents remain in their homes and communities.

For additional information, application forms, and program details, visit the Hastings County Tax Relief Program webpage or contact the Centre Hastings Municipal Office.

Understanding the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing application process before you apply can help ensure you have the information and documents needed to complete your application.

The Municipality of Centre Hastings is sharing a helpful resource from Hastings County Housing Services that provides an overview of the application process, eligibility requirements, and the information applicants may be asked to provide.

The guide includes information on: • Eligibility requirements
• Income and asset reporting
• Required documentation
• Housing location options and preferences
• Special priority housing information
• Additional housing support programs
• Application tips and checklists

Whether you are a senior, family, couple, or individual seeking affordable housing, this guide can help you better understand the process and prepare your application.

📋 View the Housing Application Guide Below

📞 Questions? Contact Hastings County Housing Services at 613-966-1311 or 1-800-267-0575.

Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing provides affordable housing where rent is generally based on household income. Applicants are placed on a centralized waiting list and may choose one or more housing locations throughout Hastings County. [hastingscounty.com]

You may be eligible if:

✅ At least one household member is 16 years of age or older.

✅ No household member owes rental arrears to a social housing provider.

✅ No household member has been found guilty of intentionally misreporting income for subsidized housing within the past two years.

✅ All household members are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, refugee claimants, or legally permitted to remain in Canada.

✅ Household members have applied for any income supports they may be eligible for, such as:

• Ontario Works (OW)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Child or spousal support payments

✅ Applicants are able to live independently and arrange any required support services. [hastingscounty.com]

Important: If you own a home or property, you must agree to sell it within six months of receiving housing. [hastingscounty.com]

Provide:

• Full name
• Mailing address
• Phone numbers
• Email (if available)
• Emergency or alternate contact person

Tips

• Use an address where you can reliably receive mail.
• Notify Housing Services immediately if your address or phone number changes.
• Failure to update your contact information could result in removal from the waiting list. [hastingscounty.com]

List everyone who will live in the unit, including:

• Yourself
• Spouse/partner
• Children
• Dependents
• Caregiver (if applicable)

You will need:

• Legal names
• Dates of birth
• Relationship to applicant
• Citizenship status
• Social Insurance Numbers (if applicable)

Additional Documentation

Applicants with children may need:

• Custody agreements
• Court orders
• Proof of visitation arrangements

You must also indicate:

• If someone is expecting a baby
• If anyone in the household identifies as Indigenous

Provide details about your current living situation:

• Renting
• Owning
• Staying with friends or family
• Shelter or temporary accommodation
• Other living arrangements

Include:

• Current rent amount
• Landlord's name
• Notice period required
• Any eviction notices received

If anyone in the household previously lived in subsidized housing, provide:

• Housing provider name
• Address of previous unit
• Whether money is still owed

Important

If arrears are owed to a social housing provider, you must provide proof of an active repayment agreement before being considered eligible. [hastingscounty.com]

You must also declare any eviction from social housing for illegal activity within the last five years.

You may qualify for priority placement if:

Special Priority Policy

You are:

• Experiencing abuse
• Fleeing domestic violence
• Escaping human trafficking

Additional forms and supporting documentation are required. [hastingscounty.com]

Local Priority

You may also identify if you are:

• Experiencing homelessness
• Living in a shelter
• Registered on the Hastings County By-Name List

Report all monthly household income before deductions.

Examples include:

• Employment income
• Self-employment income
• OW
• ODSP
• CPP
• OAS
• GIS
• EI
• WSIB
• Child support
• Pension income
• Sponsorship income
• Veterans benefits
• Student assistance
• Other income sources

Tips

• Be accurate.
• Use gross income amounts.

Include income for all household members.

List all household assets including:

Bank Accounts

• Chequing
• Savings
• TFSA

Investments

• RRSPs
• RESPs
• GICs
• Mutual Funds

Other Assets

• Life insurance cash value
• Real estate
• Land
• Cottages
• Mobile homes

You must also report any assets transferred within the last three years. [hastingscounty.com]

Indicate:

Pets

List all pets moving with you.

Vehicles

State whether:

• You own a vehicle
• Accessible parking is required

Bedroom Requirements

Choose the appropriate unit size:

• Bachelor
• 1 Bedroom
• 2 Bedroom
• 3 Bedroom
• 4 Bedroom
• 5 Bedroom

Note: Single individuals and couples generally qualify for a one-bedroom unit unless medical documentation supports the need for an additional bedroom. [hastingscounty.com]

Identify any accessibility or support requirements.

Examples include:

• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Wheelchair accessibility
• Ground-floor units
• Support services
• Assisted Living Program eligibility
• Live-in caregiver requirements

Seniors aged 65+ may express interest in the Assisted Living Program at:

• 245 Bridge Street West
• 247 Bridge Street West, Belleville

[hastingscounty.com]

You can select one or multiple locations.

Communities include:

• Bancroft
• Coe Hill
• Belleville
• Foxboro
• Deseronto
• Trenton
• Frankford
• Stirling
• Madoc
• Marmora
• Tweed

Tip

The more locations selected, the greater the chance of receiving an offer sooner.

You may also apply for:

Rent Supplement Program

• Rent based on approximately 30% of household income.

$210 Rent Supplement

• Available to eligible applicants under age 65 requiring a one-bedroom unit.

$354 Housing Allowance

• Available to qualifying renters currently living in Hastings County.

Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)

• Portable housing benefit based on household income.

[hastingscounty.com]

All household members aged 16 and older must:

✅ Review the consent section.

✅ Sign and date the declaration.

✅ Confirm that all information provided is complete and truthful.

Applications missing signatures cannot be processed. [hastingscounty.com]

Submit the completed application to:

Hastings County Housing Services
228 Church Street
Postal Bag 6300
Belleville, ON K8N 5E2

Phone: 613-966-1311
Toll Free: 1-800-267-0575
Fax: 613-966-4598
Email: inquiry@hastingscounty.com

[hastingscounty.com]

Keep Your Information Updated

Notify Housing Services if:

• Your address changes
• Your phone number changes
• Household members move in or out
• Your income changes

Waiting Times

Wait times vary based on:

• Unit size needed
• Community selected
• Housing availability

There is no specific waiting list number or guaranteed timeline. [hastingscounty.com]

Before submitting, make sure you have:

☐ Completed all sections

☐ Listed all household members

☐ Included income information

☐ Listed assets

☐ Chosen preferred housing locations

☐ Attached custody documents (if applicable)

☐ Attached priority status documentation (if applicable)

☐ Signed the application

☐ Obtained signatures from all household members aged 16+

☐ Kept a copy for your records

This guide can be used as a handout, website resource, or community information sheet to help residents navigate the Hastings County RGI Housing application process.