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Thunder Bay

District of Thunder Bay Social Services Department

Social Housing Division
34 Cumberland Street North
Thunder Bay Ontario P7A 8B9
Telephone: (807) 766-2111
Toll-Free: 1-877-281-2958
Fax: (807) 344-4543


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EMERGENCY RENT and ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUND
APPLICATION GUIDE and PROGRAM INFORMATION

The purpose of this program is to promote housing stability by assisting low to moderate income people who have short-term rental/energy arrears in avoiding eviction and diverting people from emergency shelter systems. Rent Bank assistance may only cover a maximum of two month’s rent arrears while Energy Fund assistance may equal the amount required by the energy provider to have service maintained or reconnected.

Eligibility Criteria

A household is eligible for financial assistance under the Emergency Rent and Energy Assistance Fund if:

  1. At least one member of the household is sixteen (16) years of age or older and a resident within the District of Thunder Bay.
  2. At least one member of the household is either a Canadian Citizen, landed immigrant or have refugee claimant status with no outstanding deportation, departure or exclusion order.
  3. At least one member of the household is the legal owner/tenant residing in a residential dwelling/unit that is in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and complies with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. You are not renting from a family member who is the legal owner/tenant residing in the dwelling.
  4. You are in receipt of a ‘Notice to Terminate Early for Non-payment of Rent Form N4’
  5. All other means of financial assistance has been exhausted before making application to the fund.
  6. You are not residing in subsidized housing with respect to any housing project under any housing program operated within the Province of Ontario. Under exceptional circumstances, a rent-geared-to-income tenant may be considered where the arrears of rent/energy are the direct result of an economic hardship arising from a serious situation, (e.g., medical, death, etc.) suffered by a family member residing in the unit.
  7. You can demonstrate that your housing situation is sustainable, the financial crisis is temporary and that it can be addressed through a one-time provision of assistance.
  8. Rental arrears may not exceed two months maximum.
  9. Energy arrears may be equal to the amount required by the energy service provider

Tips for Filling out your Application

  1. Complete all sections of the attached Emergency Rent and Energy Assistance Fund application form and provide us with copies of the required documents. If questions are left unanswered your application will be deemed incomplete and further follow up with you will be required, which may delay the processing of your application.
  2. Remember to sign and date your application. All legal tenants/owners must sign and date the application.
  3. If you are requesting financial assistance related to energy arrears please take appropriate action as indicated below:
    • Thunder Bay Hydro
    • Take the ‘Intent to Dismiss Eviction/Disconnection Proceedings’ form attached to the application to Thunder Bay Hydro for completion. At that time Thunder Bay Hydro will also provide you with a print out of your outstanding account. Please note there is no charge for this service.
    • Union Gas
    • The Social Housing Division will contact Union Gas and confirm number of months you are in arrears.
    • Hydro One
    • Contact Hydro One at 1-888-664-9376 to advise that you have applied for financial assistance under the Emergency Rent and Energy Assistance Fund and to request an extension. You will need to have your account number handy when you call.
  4. If you have any difficulty completing the application, please contact the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Department - Social Housing Division at (807) 766-2104.
  5. Completed applications may be mailed, faxed or hand delivered to:
    Emergency Rent and Energy Assistance Fund
    District of Thunder Bay Social Services Department
    34 Cumberland Street North, 4th Floor
    Thunder Bay ON P7A 8B9
    Fax (807) 344-4543
  6. Once your application is complete it will be assessed for eligibility and you will be notified accordingly.
  7. If your application is deemed ineligible you will receive notification in the mail.
  8. If your application is deemed eligible, a cheque will be generated and made payable to the landlord/energy company and you will be notified by phone to pick up the cheque at our office.

**Required Documents**

Your application will not be assessed for eligibility if it is not accompanied by the required document(s):

  1. Income and Assets (Please provide photocopies)
    1. employment cheque stubs to cover most recent 4 consecutive weeks
    2. banking information – last 4 weeks
    3. pension cheque stub
    4. OW / ODSP income
    5. proof of rental income
    6. WSIB
    7. Employment Insurance
    8. Child Tax Credit
  2. A completed ‘Intent to Dismiss Eviction/Disconnection Proceedings’ form from your landlord and/or Energy Provider.
  3. A completed Eviction Notice (N4) from your landlord.
  4. Copies of your most recently received energy bill(s) for which financial assistance is being requested for.
  5. Copies of any correspondence from other energy companies related to your request for financial assistance under the Emergency Rent and Energy Assistance Fund.


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