Homelessness Prevention Program

Are you currently homeless with no where else to go? Please contact the Mesa Hart Hub Intake Centre at 1-844-720-0056. This number is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

To help us better understand homelessness in our community and to quickly connect you to services that are available, please complete our By-Name Data Survey if you are experiencing homelessness in the County of Renfrew.

By completing this Survey, you will be connected to a service provider within the County of Renfrew who can help you navigate the services and supports that can help you.

By-Name Data Survey

Homelessness Prevention Program

The Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) is a provincially funded initiative delivered by the County of Renfrew to help residents with low income maintain housing stability.

To qualify, applicants must:

Reside within Renfrew County
Have net income lower than the HPP Income Level Cut-off chart
Have liquid assets not exceeding $2,500
Have not already received the maximum HPP benefit within the last 12 months
Submit a completed HPP Application (printable version) and submit requested documents to verify identity, income, and expenses
Meet criteria for eligible expenses
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.

Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) application

HPP Income Level Cut-offs
Household After Tax Income	Household Size
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7+
$38,000 or less	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
$38,001 - $54,000		Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
$54,001 - $65,000			Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible	Eligible
$65,001 - $71,000					Eligible	Eligible	Eligible

Maximum Eligibility

Households without children $1,500
Households with children $2,000

Eligible Expenses

Rent Deposit/Last Month's Rent

Imminent or current homelessness
Unemployed and moving for training or employment
Moving to more affordable accommodations
Moving due to health hazard
Landlord paid directly

Rent Arrears

At risk of eviction for non-payment of rent
The applicant must agree to a payment plan to ensure that ongoing rent is paid
Landlord paid directly

Utility Arrears

Imminent or current hydro, fuel, or water service disconnection
HPP can only be issued if the vendor will reconnect or stop disconnection
The applicant must agree to a payment plan to prevent future risk of utility interruption
Equipment rental & utility deposits can be paid if required to obtain new utility service

Extraordinary Expenses

Other expenses connected to an emergency may be approved if required to ensure housing stability. Eligibility for extraordinary expenses will be considered in cases where failing to provide financial assistance may result in the loss of housing or housing safety.

Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

If you have fallen behind on your utility bill, you may also apply to the Ontario Energy Board Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Through LEAP, low-income customers can get direct support to pay bills to ensure that electricity and natural gas services are not disconnected.

To find out more about Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), please visit their website.