Community Housing

The Affordable Homeownership Program  was funded through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH). Although this funding ended in 2019, a small revolving loan fund allowed the program to continue for several additional years.

Because the funding was provided as forgivable loans, homeowners who ended their agreements were required to repay a prorated amount, which was returned to the fund. Over time, these funds were gradually depleted.

The program is now closed and is not expected to reopen.  

Updated June 15, 2026

The Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) is a portable housing benefit that helps eligible households with the cost of rent in the private market. The benefit is funded by the Province of Ontario and administered through the County of Renfrew’s Community Services Department. 

For the 2026-2027 program year, the County of Renfrew has been allocated 40 COHB subsidy opportunities.

Due to the limited number of available benefits, applications and referrals are not being accepted at this time. Eligible households will be identified through existing Community Services and Social Assistance caseloads and priority consideration is given to households experiencing significant affordability challenges, households at risk of homelessness, households experiencing or fleeing domestic violence, and other households identified through local homelessness prevention priorities.

Who May Be Eligible

To receive a COHB subsidy, households must meet provincial program requirements, which include:

• Living in Renfrew County at the time of the application and continuing to live within Ontario thereafter
• Meeting household income eligibility requirements
• Renting a unit in the private market
• Meeting all eligibility criteria established by the Province of Ontario

Important Information

• Only 40 COHB opportunities are available for 2026-2027.
• There is not a public waitlist for this program.
• Applications and referrals are not being accepted.
• Eligible households will be identified through Community Services and Social Assistance programs.
• Being identified for consideration does not guarantee approval, as all provincial eligibility requirements must be met.

Learn More About the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit

Updated August 6, 2026

The County of Renfrew Emergency Minor Home Repair Program provides limited financial assistance to eligible low-income homeowners who require urgent repairs necessary to maintain the health, safety, accessibility for continued occupancy of their home. The program is funded through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) and administered by the County of Renfrew Community Services Department.

Maximum Assistance

• Up to $7,500 for eligible emergency repairs
• Up to $10,000 where approved accessibility repairs are required
• Assistance may be available once every five years, subject to program requirements and funding availability.

Who May Be Eligible

Applicants must:

• Own and occupy their home as their primary residence in Renfrew County
• Meet County of Renfrew Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) income limits
• Have household assets of $50,000 or less, subject to applicable exemptions
• Require an urgent repair related to health, safety, accessibility or continued safe occupancy of the home
• Meet all program eligibility requirements
• Status in Canada - Applicants must be legally authorized to reside in Canada and must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have applied for permanent resident status, refugee, or refugee claimant. Applicants must provide supporting documentation to verify their status.

County of Renfrew HPP Income Cut-Offs

Annual after-tax household income must not exceed the following limits:

Eligible Repairs

Funding may be available for urgent repairs necessary to:

• Address health or safety concerns
• Restore essential building components or systems
• Improve accessibility within the home
• Support continued safe occupancy and prevent housing loss

Ineligible Repairs

Funding is not available for:

• Cosmetic improvements
• General renovations or home upgrades
• Landscaping projects
• Repairs primarily intended to increase property value
• Energy efficiency improvements intended solely to reduce utility costs
• Work completed before written approval is received

Contractor and Payment Requirements

Applicants must obtain an estimate from a qualified contractor. Repairs must not begin before written approval is provided by Community Housing. Approved funding is paid directly to the contractor or company following completion and verification of the approved work. Payments are not made directly to homeowners.

Funding Availability

Funding is limited and approval is not guaranteed. Applications are reviewed based on eligibility requirements, available funding and program priorities.

Apply for the Emergency Minor Home Repair Program

Updated August 6, 2026

County of Renfrew: Framework for a 10 Year Homelessness and Housing Plan -
10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan (English)

10 Year Housing and Homelessness Plan (French)

The Ontario Renovates program provided financial assistance to homeowners through forgivable loans to support essential home repairs. This program was funded by the Investment in Affordable Housing for Ontario Revolving Loan Fund.

As of January 6, 2025, the fund has been fully utilized, and the program is now closed.

The County of Renfrew Rent Allowance Program provides monthly financial assistance to help eligible low-income households afford rent and remain housed in the private rental market. The program is funded through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) and administered by Community Housing. Benefits are paid directly to the landlord or property owner on behalf of the recipient.

Monthly Benefit

• $300 per month for households without dependent children
• $400 per month for households with dependent children

Who May Be Eligible

Applicants must:

• Live in Renfrew County
• Rent and occupy an eligible rental unit in Renfrew County
• Meet County of Renfrew Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) income limits
• Have household assets of $50,000 or less (exemptions in accordance with the Community Housing Asset Directive)
• Demonstrate significant housing affordability need
• Meet all other program eligibility requirements
• Status in Canada - Applicants must be legally authorized to reside in Canada and must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have applied for permanent resident status, refugee, or refugee claimant. Applicants must provide supporting documentation to verify their status.

County of Renfrew HPP Income Cut-Offs

Annual after-tax household income must not exceed the following limits:

Ineligible Housing Types

The Rent Allowance Program is intended for households renting their own self-contained unit. The following accommodations are not eligible:

• Room rentals within another person's home
• Boarding homes
• Rooming houses
• Congregate living facilities
• Residential treatment facilities
• Emergency shelters
• Transitional housing
• Supportive housing programs that charge accommodation fees
• Hospitals, long-term care homes, and student residences

Waitlist

Funding is limited and assistance is not guaranteed. Eligible applicants are placed on a waitlist and offers are made as funding becomes available. Because recipients may remain in the program if they continue to qualify, wait times can be lengthy and new spaces may become available infrequently. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval or immediate assistance. 

Important Information

• Benefits are paid directly to the landlord.
• Recipients remain responsible for any rent not covered by the benefit.
• Recipients must continue to meet program requirements and report changes in income, assets, household composition, address, or tenancy.

Apply for the Rent Allowance Program
Rent Allowance - Landlord Agreement Form

Updated August 6, 2026

Kinsmen Court Home offers independent affordable living in a 25-unit apartment building. All units are rent-to-geared-income.

The units are one bedroom, on two floors with no elevator and include:

• Parking
• Laundry
• Common room
• Appliances

The facility is close to the shopping center.

Location and contact

222 Blakely St.,

Pembroke, ON K8A 8J4

Telephone & Fax: 613-735-7980

St. Joseph's Non-Profit Housing Corporation provides a mix of rent-geared-to-income & market rent housing for seniors and families in Pembroke.

The senior complex has 90 one bedroom apartments with laundry facilities, common rooms and elevators. There are three wheelchair accessible apartments in the seniors complex.

The family units consist of 2, 3, & 4 bedroom townhouses. There are two wheelchair accessible townhouses in the Family complex.

Location and contact

St. Joseph Non-Profit Housing (Pembroke) Corporation

1155 Pembroke St. W.

Pembroke, ON K8A 5R3

Telephone: 613-735-6521

Baskin Place is a 2 storey, 24 unit seniors apartment complex with affordable one and two bedroom units, including two units for the physically disabled. An elevator provides access to all units. We have a mix of rent-geared-to-income and market rent units, with laundry facilities and a common room.

Location and contact

138 Baskin Drive W.

Arnprior, ON K7S 3G8

Telephone: 613-623-3567

Fax: 613-623-2117

Riverview Apartments is a 2 storey, 35 unit seniors apartment building located in the heart of Petawawa, featuring one and two bedroom apartments. We offer rent-geared-to Income units, as well as market and affordable market rate. The building includes the following amenities:

• Elevator
• Coin operated laundry facilities
• Common Room
• Parking and green space

This unit is close to shopping, church and other amenities.

Locations and contact

1145 Victoria St.,

Petawawa, ON, K8H 2E6

Office phone and fax 613-506-1145

Killaloe & District Housing is a two storey 28 unit apartment for seniors. It has one and two bedroom units with laundry facilities included in the rent plus a common room with full kitchen facilities. We have an elevator to help those with walkers and wheelchairs go from floor to floor.

It is a mix of market and rent-geared-to-income with an adopted Cascading Age Policy. Our complex is within walking distance to all amenities over looking Brennan's Creek, the waterfalls and Station Park.

Location and contact

31 Mill Street, R.R.#2

Killaloe, ON, K0J 2A0

Telephone: 613-757-3145